Most books aren't written alone in solitary confinement for months or years. They can be, of course, but that method of creating art isn't something I wish to attempt. In truth, it is the simple help, the occasional turn toward the right road, the nudge in the middle of the night from someone we trust that enables authors to continue through the dark forest of the creative process and come out on the other side more or less intact.
The writing of Sketches from the Spanish Mustang was certainly accomplished with the help of people, people who guided and provided their opinions of how a scene should go, what a character would say, how a tree might look in the sunlight. There were many people who added levels of encouragement, but most important were the ones who struggled alongside me as I wrote, as I pondered weak and weary, as I second-guessed myself.
Foremost of these is Jesse Lee, my fiancée and the inspiration for Sketches. If you read the dedication at the front of this novel, you'll see exactly how it all began: with a phrase. I can't thank Jesse enough for her undying support, motivation and occasional kick in the butt. Without her, this novel simply would not exist.
You meet people all over the place these days: the bus stop, the Internet, the gas station, the library. I met fellow Indie author Michael K. Rose though Twitter back in the latter half of 2011. I had written a review of his short story "Sleep" (which is outstanding) and immediately began to converse with him through e-mail. You can actually read some of those conversations on either my blog or his blog. They are long, they can be philosophical, and they are honest. What I've learned about Michael K. Rose is this: not only is he an excellent writer—a fact proven by his novel Sullivan's War—but he is as helpful as strangers come. He provided honest feedback during the writing process and even told me some of my cover ideas were downright awful.
Another author I met while meandering through the Internet dazed and confused was Gregory G. Allen, who penned one of my favorite reads of 2012: Well With My Soul. His generosity and caring toward other Indie authors, as with Michael K. Rose, is beyond noteworthy; at times, I think it may be "epic."
I'd also like to thank Scott Bury for copyediting the manuscript and letting me know what didn't sound right. The brain child behind independent Authors international (iAi), Scott has been working hard to corral some of the best Indie talent out there.
There is a crowd of people on Twitter who post independent (Indie) book reviews, notifications of releases, promotions, interview links, etc. all under the "hashtag" of #BuyIndie. It started with an idea I had back in February 2012: I would run my own campaign called #BuyIndieMonth to call attention to the starving Indie authors out there.
Immediately, Michael K. Rose, Indie authors Jeff Currie and Clive S. Johnson joined Hobbes End Publishing and a few others (who I can't remember, right now) to do the same thing I was doing: buy up and promote some random Indie author's work once a day. From that campaign, the #BuyIndie hashtag was formed. If you have a Twitter account, I would encourage you to look into it and check out some of the awesome Indie writers that are out there, asking to be heard. These people pour their hearts and souls into the art, sacrificing a lot to get to the end. They are at the cusp of the publishing revolution.
Finally, I'd like to give a "shout out" to a few fellow Indie authors who have provided encouragement, promoted giveaways and/or provided feedback (good and bad): a lot of people. Because I can't remember names off the top of my head, I will say they all fall under the #BuyIndie hashtag I just mentioned and, again, you really should check them out. I apologize if your name doesn't appear in this acknowledgments section. Rest assured, however, that I cherish all the help and wish everyone the best of luck.
You can find links to these Indie authors and more on my website. It's not easy to see the world through different eyes, but Indie authors do it all the time.
Benjamin X. Wretlind
Colorado Springs, Colorado
July 2012