Art of Acknowledgement
Posted by Joanne Rock in Joanne Rock, tags: inspiration, Writer's Life
I was reading something in the Guardian online yesterday and got tugged into reading an article called- excuse the somberness- regrets of the dying. Now, that’s not normally something that would get a double click from my mouse, but there was a sweet picture of a wrinkled hand holding a strong, youthful one and the emotional author in me was hooked. I had to take a peek to make sure I wasn’t going to have any regrets on my way out. You can guess most of them—I shouldn’t have worked so much, I should have followed my dreams—but one that really caught my attention was a wish to have kept in touch with old friends.
Writers are fortunate to have a secret, powerful weapon that helps them do just that. Not many other professions encourage “acknowledgements” each time you finish a piece of work, but upon completing a novel for publication, writers are asked to recognize the people who have helped them on their journey. Every time I’ve penned a dedication, I’ve thought about how lucky I am to be able to publicly reflect like this.
It’s a huge treat for me, for one thing. It nudges me to be introspective for a few hours and really think about who has helped me to come up with an idea or who inspired me to write. I’ve acknowledged high school English teachers, bloggers, other writers, family members and yes… old friends. Just yesterday, I was penning acknowledgements for my summer YA release and pushed myself to think about my friends from summer camp. Without them, I wouldn’t have a story to tell in Camp Boyfriend. It was a pleasure to recognize those friendships, people I don’t see nearly enough anymore.
I also like to think this tradition is a treat for the people who are recognized. Actually, I can attest that is an honor because I’ve been named in friends’ books as a helper in the story process and it always makes me walk a little taller. Plus, it touches my heart to be valued that way, and to have a friend use that limited space to give a shout out to me. When my first book came out and I mentioned my English teachers in the dedication, I had fun sending them a copy of my debut along with a letter telling them how much they inspired me. I hoped that my enthusiasm would help make up for the fact that some kids occasionally yawn in their classes (who could yawn during a lesson on the Romantic Poets??) and it was just plain fun.
Knowing how cool it’s been to send out acknowledgements into the world, I guess I wanted to share the idea with anyone who hasn’t written a book and had the thrill of penning a dedication. You can still write a letter to tell someone 
who inspired you that you still remember their awesome contribution to your life. That their words meant a lot to you or helped you grow, change, see the world a little differently. Your old friends, mentors, teachers or family members will be touched to be recognized, and the joy you spread will sure make you smile too.
***Who came to mind right away when I mentioned someone who has inspired you? Share with us on the boards today and I’ll give one random poster a copy of my Blaze, RIDING THE STORM (although if you have that one, you can probably talk me into sending you out something else <G>). Also, consider stopping by my YA author site on Valentine’s Day for a slew of giveaways to celebrate the Cover Reveal for Camp Kiss, a prequel novella to Camp Boyfriend. If you read some YA, check us out at http://campboyfriend.net, add our book on Goodreads, or pre-order at Amazon.
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My high school agriculture instructor is still the first person that comes to mind when I think about someone who inspired me, guided me, and makes me want to be the best that I can be!
I had a chance to see him again a few years ago. We had almost 5 minutes to catch up (yes, five). I think we both walked a little taller that day. I smile whenever I think of him!
How rewarding for a teacher to know they had such a big impact on the life of a student! I wonder how often they are surprised by which students will return to say that they made that kind of difference for them. Are teachers not surprised by most of them (ie- they were students they knew they had a good rapport with?) or are there a fair amount of faces that surprise them completely… students whose lives they never knew they affected? Thanks, Cathy!
everyone in my “village”; being a patent of a special needs dude, it takes the proverbial village to make sure everyone gets what they need.
Katie, I’m so glad you have a village to back you up!! What an awesome mom you are to think in those terms for your son, and to convey that message to him- that he has a wealth of resources and people who care.
My Grandmother and Dad were my biggest inspirations. Their love of reading and gentle wit.
What a beautiful turn of phrase Tammy… I love “gentle wit” and I can almost hear it- see it. Thank you for stopping by the blog today
My biggest inspiration in life has always been my Nana. I know if I aspire to be as she was I will be fine.
When it comes to reading, I credit that to my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Yuill. She read to her class for 5-10 minutes at the beginning of every day, after recess and lunch. She turned down the overhead lights and turned on the lamp on her desk. Throughout that year she read the entire collection of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Borrowers, and many short stories. I was already reading my way through Nancy Drew and she took that spark and it grew into a forest fire that to this day still burns bright!
Aww! I have really fond memories of my fifth grade teacher reading to us like that. She wasn’t an “easy” teacher in many ways… strict-ish on many things. But she never skipped reading time and she honestly lit up from within when she read… she did funny voices and obviously enjoyed it so much that we loved it too. It wasn’t just a way to love reading, it was also a way to connect with her. Those shared stories made a tough teacher very beloved
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Let’s see, my parents for, well, putting up with me, my mom for listening and giving me some of the ideas, my Korean ex for encouraging me and my 5th grade teacher for recognizing my writing gift which enabled me to to write and to try shape it.
I like these, Aurora!! Just like the acknowlegements in a book… you thought of a lot of people who bolstered you. That’s just what I do… try and think about who really lifted me up!
My grandmother was the one that came to mind… she was the one that inspired me… made me feel special and that I could do anything I put my heart into.
Hi Colleen! Such wisdom and tenderness in grandmothers! They’ve learned so much and acquired patience and the long angle view of life so they don’t sweat the small stuff. No wonder kids love them so well!
Hi Joanne, lovely post. My immediate thought for who inspired me were some of my former teachers, starting in Elementary school straight through to HS. There isn’t just one person I could acknowledge. I also think of my author friends, like yourself, who inspire me to be introspective, so that I may learn and be comfortable with the person I am.
Like you, I love the feeling I get when I see my name in dedications or acknowledgement in books written by some of my friends. I remember the first time I saw it; I was in heaven. The feeling was quite euphoric. I had a book dedicated to me once, I still can’t get off cloud 9. Sometimes I forget that people do appreciate me, though. Love this post today. It helps me to remember that I am loved and I appreciate that. Looking forward to reading Camp Boyfriend. Please don’t count me in for the drawing. I have your back list.
Have a great day, Joanne!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Hi Paula! So glad you stopped by! I am grateful for you too
. I remember hearing Oprah Winfrey speak once and she talked about surrounding yourself with people who pull you up, inspire you and make you feel strong. I was probably 20 years old when I heard that talk and it felt so ground breaking to me– I had the power to surround myself with the people I wanted to! Still appreciate that message.
Hi Joanne, I so envy you hearing Oprah speak…lol! I am working on surrounding myself with people who help me feel strong. Hope you’re day s going well. The audition is really soon, btw.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Sooooo exciting!!! Let your light, shine, Paula!! It’s going to be an incredible experience. For you– and your listeners too
. You’ve got a lot of people rooting for you….
Thanks
My sister and my husband would always be on that list–it’s so important to have those who are truly the wind beneath our wings
My sister is so important to me too… wish I lived closer to her, but whenever I walk in her house- whatever house she’s in- I feel like it’s home.
Most of my teachers have passed away a long time ago. I did have a few chances to thank some of them after I had left school. I try to thank people as I go along. After reading this post, I will really try to do it. I’ll buy flowers more often for the people in my life who might not be there next year.
Hi Kaelee, I’m so glad this post was a positive nudge for you! Higher up in the thread, Cathy W. mentioned “walking a little taller” after acknowledging someone, and I think that’s so true.
PS ~ Thank you for a blog that really made me think about a few people I need to do something for.
I feel acknowledged!!
Perfect example of what we’re talking about and I’m really glad.
Lovely post. A school teacher
Thank you, bn!! We should invite some teachers to this blog so they know how much they come to mind for people…
Hi Joanne! The first people that popped into my mind are my Mom who has always supported me and encouraged me, by wonderful hubby who is my rock and always has my back and my dad who always told me to Read The Book! LOL! My kids inspire me too. My oldest is autistic but he never lets it hold him back. He has big dreams and doesn’t see why he can’t do what he wants. Right now he wants to be a Lego designer. (yeah we have way too many legos in our house, lol) My daughter inspires me to try and be a good mom and a good role model for her. My youngest inspires me to laugh and remember that life is fun, not take everything so seriously.
Have a wonderful week!
Our kids!!! Oh, these are good inspirations. I get a little something different from all my boys too. Each one so special to me and precious to my heart. Amazing how unique they are from Day One. Great post, Alina!
The first person that comes to mind for me is my local librarian. We were poor and buying books was not possible so when we moved to within walking distance of the library I was there all the time. They had a limit of books they would let you check out but after the first time she let me check out more, otherwise I’d be back the next day. She encouraged my love of reading and even though all the other kids thought she was crabby she was always nice to me. I owe her a big debt of gratitude for introducing me to some great literature.
What a great memory, Linda. I was a “Friend of the Library” when I was all of 14 or 15. EVery other “Friend of the Library” was a retired person (or to it seemed to 15 year old eyes ) and they smiled to see me come in and volunteer to sit at book drives or hand out literature about supporting the library. But already as a teenager, I felt like I owed this huge debt to books and the people responsible for keeping them. With no Amazon… the library was The Place. I had great respect for it!!
Hadn’t thought about that in a long time, Linda… it came from the very depths of my brain, I think . Thanks so much for drawing that out for me to smile about tonight!
Two people: One was a neighbour; the other was a teacher.
The neighbour asked me to babysit her two kids when I was 14. (Couldn’t babysit till then legally.) Working for her led to me using her as a reference on my CV. She told me about a job in our town and I got it, based on her recommendation. When I graduated college, my new boss knew her from the Kinsmen Club (volunteer organization). Computers came along back then, and I was let go because I was replaced by a computer! A few weeks later I applied for a maternity leave position, and my new boss was a Kinsmen President who knew her and the previous boss. That job led to a transfer 10 miles away. My now husband of 31+ years was a customer there, and when he heard my boyfriend and I had broken up, he immediately asked me out. And the rest they say is history. I wrote that original neighbour years later and thanked her, as without her influence, I would not have the happy marriage and children I have today/then.
The second one was my Grade 2 teacher but also the librarian for many years. She taught me about the Dewey Decimal System, and I spent most of Grade 8 putting all the library books in order. I visited during exams in high school and when between jobs/education. I didn’t see her for years when I worked full-time, but in 1985 I stayed home with my first born (working from home instead), so I visited her at her new school every year until her retirement. After that, we had lunch together until she was housebound. I brought in takeout food until she became bedbound. Once she moved into a nursing home, I visited constantly, even doing her income taxes for her for years (until she died in Oct/11).
Hi Laney! What wonderful stories! It’s amazing to look back and think how much a simple kindness can touch our lives and send us off on a new course. How grateful your librarian must have been to have forged a friendship so long lasting that began with a little second grader! I’m sure she never would have imagined back then what a special role you would go on to play in her life.
Thirty-one years…. so much to be proud of!! Congratulations on that long and happy marriage. Clearly, your husband knew you’d be right for each other
My family,I .look up to them
Hi Kim! I’m really grateful to my family, too. And lucky to have such good influences in my life!!
Has to be my Mother. A woman who gave up teaching, which she loved, to marry. Married women just did NOT teach in that day & age. Raised 7 children, who are strong, independent & know right from wrong. I guess she never stopped being a teacher, because I think we all learned more from her than we did from most teachers at school. She just amazes me.
Good parents are amazing. And parents who raised that many kids- giving each one the individual attention they needed to make them feel loved and prepare them for life… that’s really special. No wonder you admire her, Mary!
While I was growing up my parent’s across the street neighbor babysat me. Winnie was a retired English teacher. I was fascinated by all of her books and classroom stories. She along with my parents sparked my interest in reading. I went to visit Winnie in my hometown in 2007 as my daughter decided to marry where I had been married. I stopped in as she was too weak to attend the wedding . We had a wonderful time talking. She passed away a short time after my visit.
Hi Laurie! In addition to our teachers, I’ve noticed this thread has been full of gratitude toward those who inspired our love of reading. I guess no wonder that we’d all be dedicated readers here! But you can tell that we all view that as a really special gift to have been given.
So glad you had that chance to re-connect with Winnie and it must have been nice for her, too!
Thank you so much for a fun, fun thread! It warmed my heart and I really enjoyed the stories and the memories. See you next month – March 11- right here. Until then, please do join me on Valentine’s Day for the Cover Reveal of Camp Kiss and all the hoopla, fun and contests that will go with it at http://campboyfriend.net