I have received a number of complements on the dedication of My GRL. This dedication was actually written in my head seventeen years ago before I wrote one word of the novel that was to become My GRL. I was fooling around thinking I would like to write a book and began what was to become about 100,000 words of a hodgepodge of disconnected elements of a story.
My father in law, Bill McCormick was an avid reader of fiction. He was also a master of crossword puzzles and in his working life excelled as a General Manager in advertising for the Pittsburgh Press. Bill surrounded himself with words and the love of them his entire life.
One day Bill asked if he could read any of my writing. To this point no living soul had seen anything contained in my Word file. I was feeling a little timid about my relative skill at laying out a cogent story. I did trust that Bill would certainly let me down easy if my stuff sucked as much as I thought it did.
I gave him about two-hundred pages to read. As you can imagine, I was on pins and needles waiting for a reaction. The reaction finally came. Bill had no quarrel with the story and said he liked the way in which the story was written. I was totally blown away. From this encouragement, I tried unsuccessfully to move the story to a point where it could be a satisfying read. I never published this tome, but Bill’s evaluation carried me to the point where I forced myself to continue to write and learn. So, although Bill had no idea his effect on my writing future, his kind words were the ones sustaining me when I felt like throwing in the towel. I promised myself that I would dedicate my first published novel to him and so here is the dedication:
Dedication
My GRL is dedicated to William McCormick (1925 – 2007) who was not only a loving father, grandfather, and husband, but also a voracious reader of books. Bill taught me the love of the written word through a very practical lifelong dedication to continued improvement of the mind. He spent his working life as a marketing person for the Pittsburgh Press surrounded by meaningful words, finishing his career as Vice President. He and his wife Mary Kay were inseparable in life and are now together. They raised the beautiful woman who steadfastly remains my spouse. Bill was the first person to actually say he liked my writing.
Fiction Favorites 
A wonderful tribute … so thanks for the reason behind it.
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Thanks Frank. He was a wonderful person.
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What a beautiful sentiment. Influential and inspiring people like these never die in our hearts and memories. Unconditional thankfulness.
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I could not have said it better Chatty. So true.
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Excellent dedication. Do you think you’ll ever revisit that story idea?
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It is in the back of my mind. I think once I finish the protagonist Cannon trilogy I’ll go back and look. I’m sure there is something in there, but I’ll have to see.
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I have a few ideas like that. Might even be one character that leaps out and gets his/her own story. This is why throwing old stuff out can be a bad idea.
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This is a heartwarming dedication. Too bad he didn’t get to see it. 🙂
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I have to believe he somehow knows. I did let him know how much I appreciated his guidance while he was with us. Thanks for the sentiment.
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Wonderful to have good and supporting friends and family.
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Aw, geez! What a sweet story behind that dedication.
I used to write my brains out when I was a teenager, and it was a long time before anyone ever read it. That first time I had someone read my stuff was pins and needles, man! I remember that frightening feeling all too well 🙂
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Thanks, Katie. it is a very sinking feeling. Never goes away.
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That’s a beautiful dedication to your father in law and your wife John – they must be truly wonderful souls.
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They are. Thanks Jo
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I remember reading the dedication when I read the book and saying to myself, Dang, that’s good!
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This is a complement from the master. Thanks.
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Amazing how someone’s kind words can inspire. That’s just lovely. Especially when it’s someone we respect. I loved your dedication and know that he would be proud.
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Thank you Susan. He was special.
On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 11:06 AM, Fiction Favorites wrote:
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beautiful dedication John 🙂
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Thank you Yolanda.
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What a wonderful tribute, John.
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Thanks Katie.
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Lovely, John…
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Thank you.
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I always read dedications and wonder why the person fits the book. Thank you for giving the backstory of yours.
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😎
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That we could all be blessed with Bill’s in our lives. (I mean Bill’s like your father-in-law, not bills like I have too many of already). 🙂
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Thanks Phillip. Hope you have one as well. Bill not bill. 😊
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