A few weeks ago, I wrote the acknowledgement section of my book. This was a very strange experience as I’d never written one before and trying to find the words to appropriately express how grateful I am towards certain people seemed like a mammoth task. I felt like a fake writer and my imposter syndrome was at an all-time high. However, due to current circumstances my mind has kept going back to those words.
I don’t need to tell you how scary things are at the moment, you can just pick up your phone and it will be there, but through the cracks of the panic and negativity there are beams of positivity and community shining through. Every time I see someone post on Facebook a new way for us to interact with each other, whether it’s free online workouts, a gig in the kitchen or someone offering to check in on their neighbours, I can’t help but think ‘Ha ha, fuck you coronavirus!’ Every morning as I drive into work (this has now been replaced with me walking from my bedroom to my dad’s study) I recite all the things I’m grateful for, from the little to the large, and it’s an excellent way to remind myself that even when things are really, exceptionally shit I’ve still got amazing people in my life and I’m fortunate in so many ways. I’ll be honest, it doesn’t always work but even if it only makes me feel better for ten minutes I like to class it as a win. This is why I think there is no point in waiting for my book to be released in order to praise the people who helped make it a reality. We’re all doing our best to keep our chins up and not go stir crazy because, somehow, you’ve found yourself back in your childhood home and there isn’t a single bloody drawer for you to put your socks in. I want to do all I can to put some cheesy, smooshy, lovely positivity out there and hope that this blog post makes the below people smile for just a second. You are the toppest of the top bananas and this is for you: ‘This is the first time I have ever written one of these things and it's possibly one of the most surreal writing experiences I've ever had. Nevertheless, people need to be thanked and thanked they shall! Firstly, I would like to thank you, dear reader, for taking a chance on this book. I know how many authors are out there, especially indie authors, and the fact that you chose to read this story, which has been in my head for oh so long, is incredibly humbling. A massive thank you must also go to Becky Sandy for creating the beautiful covers for this book and being the first person ever to read any version of this story. Becky, not only are you insanely talented but it is a complete pleasure to know you. To everyone who read the book and gave me notes (Bex, Emily, Alex and Elen) you are all so brilliant and kind. Sending a piece of writing to people who know you is next level nerve wracking but you all gave me the confidence to finally publish this work and I know it's better for it. Mark and Charlotte, you didn't know this at the time but it is thanks to working with you (allbeit for a short period) that you gifted me with the lesson of 'put yourself out there and see what happens.' I have no doubt that this change in thinking is what led me to decide to finally publish this book. Finally, I have to end this list by thanking my family. This book is dedicated to my grandparents; they helped to shape so much of who I am and I will miss them forever so I hope that this is a worthy tribute. They are built into almost every page of this book. To my parents and Ieuan, all I can say is thank you for continuing to put up with my shit and supporting me in a way that is impossible to fully comprehend or explain. You are amazing.’
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