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If you were to publish a novel, do you know who you would dedicate it to? Or if you already have, who did you dedicate and why?

As for me, I am in the working process of several stories. However, if it manages to get published, I would want to dedicate it to my best friend Emily, for being my number one fan, and my parents for never giving up on me even when I gave up on myself.

Geez, it sounds so cheesy.

I once dedicated a story I wrote to the ladies who worked in a restaurant.

I wrote the whole book while I was eating in that restaurant. Not all at once, of course, but over a period of a few months, I would go into that restaurant every Wednesday and write nonstop for maybe 3-4 hours after I ate lunch there. They began to recognize me after a few weeks, and I always ordered the same thing. They were super nice and gave me coupons and stuff. But I'm American and I live in Japan, and my Japanese is terrible and I don't think they speak English. So they actually have no idea about this dedication.

My Mom, the strongest, most amazing woman I have ever known! Now, I just need to write a book! LOL

I definitely agree this is an important question. I love to read the dedication page of a book. When it's really creative, impressively written, or poignant, I am much more eager to read the book. (Yes, judging a book by its dedication page!)

I would absolutely dedicate my first [hypothetical] book to my mom for her inspiration, encouragement, and patience.

My advice would be to dedicate your book to a very specific audience that you hope will connect with the book. If you're writing about kids in school, dedicate it to students who stood up to bullies to defend others, for example, or to the teachers who help kids rediscover their curiosity. If you're writing a historical fiction about the Holocaust, write a memorandum to those who lost their lives or loved ones, or those who learned to trust again. If you're writing about unicorns or monsters in a fantasy land, dedicate it to your imaginary friends who are still the constant inspiration for your books!

As your book progresses, I would pay special attention to where you find inspiration and who encourages you most. You'll know who deserves a dedication when they come into your life in some way.

I would dedicate my book to a friend I used to have, Sarah. We haven't been friends since high school. We had a bit of a falling out, but regardless of the issues we may have, she was my number one fan sophomore year when I realized that I love to write.
She encouraged me to write every day, and was the first person I ever allowed to read my stories. If she hadn't pushed me, I may not have stuck with it. I am a better writer today because of her.

Now, how to condense that into a couple lines for a dedication - well, I haven't gotten that far!

I can't in fact I have only ever finished writing one story but I have noticed that some of my ideas fit into others and then I combine the ideas. I usually don't fully write it out but a paragraph to remind myself what I thought about and then when I get stuck I can look and see if one of my ideas fit into the story I am working on!


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darla

Friends, directors, family, actors and actresses

Alynnes wrote:As your book progresses, I would pay special attention to where you find inspiration and who encourages you most. You'll know who deserves a dedication when they come into your life in some way.

I agree with this point! I feel like my sister has gotten angry at me because I didn't dedicate any of my books to her... but... well, she honestly didn't have anything to do with my writing the books. I guess I should dedicate a book to her in the future though, just so she will keep reading them. Hahaha.

My family...

My fifth grade teacher / writer!

I promised a librarian friend that I would dedicate my first novel to her, but after that, it would depend on who had helped me the most with it. The one I'm working on set in Eastern Europe, for instance, would have to be to my sister (she's going to help me with all the math parts) and to a friend of mine who visited that area and even brought me a lightbulb with a picture of Nikola Tesla.

I would dedicate a book to my children because they are the ones who would be most responsible for me being able to get published. They are encouraging and inspiring me now in the same way that I try to encourage and inspire them from the time they were very young. I would also acknowledge any people who help with any research or ideas to help me with my writing.

I would dedicate the book to several people: my parents for raising me, my girlfriend for supporting me and an old teacher of mine who helped me to realize my potential. After that, I would pick a name at random out of the phone book!

I would dedicate it to everyone, I would write this dramatic paragraph about how "heres to you" and how I love all my readers. Lame, but I would love my readers.

I want to make a hidden story out of my dedications. Like "Lemony Snicket" did with the Series of Unfortunate Events dedications. Those were awesome.