#fiftyways

So, today is launch day for Fifty Ways to Make a Family, the sequel to Fifty Ways to Leave Your Husband.

This book had more false starts than I can count.  It truly might never have seen the light of day if not for the incredible journey I undertook this past year with the support of so many.

A wholehearted thank you is due…

To Julianna Ricci, whose coaching sent me off on the adventure of a lifetime.

To Ron Kohn, who introduced me to paragliding more than a decade ago, and kept both me and the love of it alive long enough for this story to emerge.

To Jeff Kelley: our connection alone was worth the journey to Humboldt.  In wind and rain and occasionally kinder weather, we walked and talked, and it turns out that sometimes a musician is exactly the kind of creative soul who most inspires a writer.  Never been done…but it will be.

To the ladies of Wednesday Girls’ Night Out, who instantly made me feel at home on the West Coast and gave me a sense of community—I cannot thank you enough.  To find a safe space where people truly do not judge is nothing short of a miracle.

To everyone at my favorite noon meeting, who welcomed me in at my lowest, raised me up higher than I imagined I could go while sober, and were there for the roller coaster ride all along.  Y’all impress the hell out of me, and I love you.  (A special shout-out to my road trip buddy Mike. xoxo)

To the thriving arts community in Humboldt: Director Roy King and everyone at Westhaven Center for the Arts, Bayley Brown at KHUM, the fabulous OLLI community at HSU, Lauraine and Jack at Mad River Union, and so many more.  Considering all the creativity among the redwoods, it is no surprise to me that it was there that I was finally able to wrap this baby up.

To Steve and Karen and all my coworkers at Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery: thank you for the absolute best summer job ever.  You kept me well-fed and highly amused while leaving me the requisite mental energy for writing.  There cannot possibly be a harder-working, more dedicated group of people anywhere.  (Also: I apologize for nearly burning the place down with those forgotten cookies.  And if you didn’t already know about that…never mind…)

To my dear long-distance friend Brea Brown, whose talent and drive as an author inspires me, and whose wit and kindness have sustained me in some dark-night-of-the-soul moments these last few months.  Brea, I doubt you know how much your friendship means to me—so I’m putting you on notice here.  Thank you so much for everything.  Ditto for Martha Reynolds—I miss our coffee-and-conversation meetups, but I’m grateful we can stay connected through social media.

To Gary McCluskey, who has once again provided me with an AMAZING cover—and plenty of snarky, irreverent conversation about the, ahem, joy of being creative.

To my friends and family who made sure the anchor held fast back East while I went off on my Wild West adventure: I know how lucky I am to have you in my corner.

To my sister Kristen McDonough—an extra debt of gratitude for your willingness to share your NICU experience, and to my delightful, vivacious niece Addie, thanks for serving as the inspiration for Hope.

To the research assistants at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who steered me in the right direction for answers to some very difficult questions.

To my son Ryan, who has patiently weathered my ongoing midlife crisis and supported my growth as a person, even when he clearly thinks I am nuts.  You’re the best, Pokey, and you are indeed a grown-ass man.

And to Mario, whose kind, gentle heart makes me feel my faith in love is not misguided, and that telling tales of romance is not a foolish business.  That someone I respect so deeply champions my success is no small thing.  Thank you for all the adventures, from Lost Coast to Heart Lake and everywhere in between.  You are wacky, and that is good.

Here’s to many, many more adventures ahead.

Much love,

K.C.