November 28, 2012
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Dedication…
The book is completely written, has been for two years at least, and is in the hands of the editor the publishing company hired. But now it’s time to write the dedication for the beginning of the book. At first it seemed like an innocent enough task. I dedicate it to the people who … and that’s when the alarm bells went off in my brain. So, I did what any other modern writer would do, I googled book dedications. What a mistake!
Look at the dedication C.S. Lewis wrote for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe:
To Lucy Barfield
My Dear Lucy, I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand, a word you say, but I shall still be
your affectionate Godfather,
C.S. LewisUmm… sure….
Not that Terry Pratchett helps with his dedication in Guards! Guards!
They may be called the Palace Guard, the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is identical: it is, round Chapter Three (or ten minutes into the film) to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time, and be slaughtered. No one ever asks them if they wanted to. This book is dedicated to those fine men.
And Will Durant? He steals the show when he writes to his wife in the “Story of Philosophy” to…
Grow strong, my comrade … that you may stand
Unshaken when I fall; that I may know
the shattered fragments of my song will come
at last to finer melody in you;That I may tell my heart that you begin
where passing I leave off, and fathom more.”Writing the dedication is harder than writing the entire book, I complain to my publisher who laughs at my distress and then agrees. But some how I manage to find the words I need to let a few special people know how special they are- it’s not C.S. Lewis or Terry Pratchett caliber and it’s not at all similiar to Will Durant, but it comes from the heart.
Comments (10)
Just dedicate it to me….Problem solved.
or me.
I just finished a good book, or I thought it was. ‘Horns’ by Joe Hill. I don’t think it’s your type of book though – lots of swearing and bad things happening. Fantasy too. I don’t often read fantasy as I find it too easy for the writer to just change the what’s happening to suit. Fiction always seems more plausible and solid to me – crime novels. I quite like Ian Rankin but only one now and then otherwise I’d tire of him, so I ration myself. I also enjoyed the Mistress in the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin but the unfortunate soul died after her third book and left everything hanging. Good stories though.
I meant to ask before – what happened to the Four Winds?
Or maybe you can write the dedication as:
“I dedicate this book to you. You know who you are.”
Those are some lovely examples! (I love those Terry Pratchett books!)
But just like every book has a different flavor, there are so many dedication styles out there! I’m sure yours will complement your book perfectly.
I’m so excited for you!
Fun dedications! It’s funny how some books you just glance right over it and others it really catches your attention. Good luck!
@Bricker59 - I thought about that! Many xangans have been a part of my writing since the beginning, but I decided that I’d wait for book 2 or 3 before I did that!
@rojobe - if Panda Girls sells well enough, 4 Winds will be next to be published. I will have to check out the writers you mentioned.
@Bodhiseeker3 - that is the true peacemaker’s method!
@suzyQ_darnit - mine isn’t nearly as interesting as any of the above!
@tracy - thanks! It’s rare that I bother reading the dedication but I think that most of them are “For So-and-So”