Giving Thanks for My Love

The last few pages in Heretics of Piedmont, after the story and epilogue, are acknowledgments. I am very thankful for those who supported me through my first writing journey. You can read those pages for yourself, so I’ll refrain from reiterating them here. I want to give special attention to my wife, Andrea.

A few years ago, I remember her asking me a question: “What’s one of your dreams you’d like to see come true.”

I thought for a moment then came up with, “Write a book.”

She smiled and said, “Really? I think you could do it.”

My answer had been quick, but even then, hearing her say that was encouraging.

Two years or so later, as we sat in our living room, I revealed my secret. For two months, I had been studying and taking notes on Waldensians and the 15th century. In the middle of November, I bought a book about writing a novel. I had yet to imagine characters or a plot, but I figured it was time to be forthright with Andrea: “I think I’m going to write a book.”

“You should.” she said. No laughing or mocking. Thanksgiving Day and Christmas were approaching. I have a career. Up to that point, the most I’d ever written was for a research paper during my second year of college. Still, she encouraged me.

About a month later, I had planned out the characters and outlined almost 100 scenes I would need to write. Now, I had to actually do the writing. I had yet to find out how many words I could write a day on average, so I guessed 800 at first. That would give me a finished rough draft by the middle of May. I told her my crazy idea.

“If I wake up two hours earlier every morning, no skips allowed, I think I could do it.”

You see, I could have chosen night time too, but I feel like I’d miss out on time with my kids, and more importantly, Andrea. But mornings? That would allow me consistent quiet time.

We agreed with that plan, and I started writing on December 12, 2020. What wonderful memories those were! Usually, about an hour into my writing session, Andrea would walk downstairs, make coffee, and read her Bible in the same room. Though little conversation happened then, it was special to have the quiet time with my wife: before the kids were awake and long before sunrise.

To wake up two hours earlier than normal, I also had to get to sleep earlier. That meant me being exhausted by 9:00 PM, and almost always going to sleep before 10:00 PM. She adjusted her schedule to mimic mine, though I never asked her to do so.

Meanwhile, I know Andrea had to endure me going on and on about fiction writing. Constantly. What makes for a good character. How some stories are boring, while others are interesting and exciting. I know she may have wanted to talk about other things, but still, she at least tried to be interested.

I finished my rough draft about eight weeks earlier than I originally thought. Now, Andrea has proofread before, but we both agreed early on that I would choose another editor and proofreader. When it came time for her to read Heretics of Piedmont, out of all my beta readers, she gave me some of the most critical feedback. Which I needed.

I could go on for thousands of words. So, if you read the story, know that as much effort I put into writing, plotting, and characterization, Andrea’s touch is all over the story too. A few times, I asked her if this situation or that relationship was realistic or contrived. She told me her opinion, and many times I made adjustments accordingly. Her only objection where I refused to budge was the name of the main character, Andreas; it bore too close a resemblance to her own. But perhaps that’s the tribute I paid to my most loyal confidant through this amazing journey.

Thus, as I write this short post two days before release day, I am giving thanks to the love of my life, my wife of twelve years, Andrea Speckhals.

• Family
• Writing