Mothers and Other Liars
Read Mothers and Other Liars Online
Authors: Amy Bourret
Tags: #Psychological fiction, #Contemporary Women, #Foundlings, #Mothers and Daughters, #Family Life, #General, #Psychological, #Santa Fe (N.M.), #Young women, #Large Type Books, #Fiction
In memory of Anne Marie and Estel Henry “Wede” Wedemeyer, a bighearted pragmatist and a hardworking dreamer who taught me to believe in daffodils and in love
During the long journey from blank page to published book, I have incurred debts of gratitude rivaling a small country’s deficit. Mere words are never enough, but: to the Dunston’s Gang for critique and camaraderie and for never letting me rest on my metaphors. Shoutouts to Paul Coggins for advice on Ruby’s legal matters (though any mistake or use of creative license is mine); to David Norman for loving this story enough to take it to Hollywood and for several choice morsels; to Harry Hunsicker for a few well-timed kicks in the butt; and to Will Clarke for easing my way down the road. A special thank-you to Alison Hunsicker, ex-officio member and an early reader who provided spot-on feedback.
To the other critique groups I have had the privilege to be a part of along the way: special thanks to Colleen Rae, who helped me find Ruby’s voice, and to the Aspen Writers’ Foundation and Catherine O’Connell, who keeps their group going so that a writer’s world is a less lonely place.
To JSP for early encouragement and eleventh-hour advice.
To the fabulous Jenny Bent, who talked me down from a couple of ledges with grace and humor. Thank you for “getting” me.
To Jen Weis and the team at St. Martin’s for bringing Ruby’s story to print with care and enthusiasm.
To the teachers who nurtured my creative spark and hammered on the grammar: Mrs. Bush, Mrs. Krueger, and Mrs. Kessler, and all of you overworked and underpaid teachers out there, know that you do make a difference.
Finally, to my friends and family, who encouraged, cajoled, and supported me through all these many days, and who rescued me when I was spending too much time in my head. I don’t know how I would do this writing stuff without you. A special thank-you to Susan Virginia Metcalfe Shores for never letting me forget my long-ago promise to put her name in print, and for never wavering in her belief that I would. And for, well, everything else, my mom, who lies only every now and again.
Thank you, all of you,
always,
amy
The truth is rarely pure and never simple.
—Oscar Wilde,
The Importance of Being Earnest,
Act I