Authors: Hb Heinzer
Bent (31 page)
About the Author
Once upon a time, there was a group of adults who took a chance on an angsty teen and invited her into their writing group. They pushed her to write to her potential. Twenty years later, HB Heinzer sat down at her computer to fulfill a lifelong dream. BENT is the debut novel that haunted her for years before she released the words into the world.
HB Heinzer lives in Southern Wisconsin with the kids, the spouse, the roommate and the animals.
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Acknowledgments
There are so many people I need to thank for helping this book come to life. I also know there is no way I will remember everyone, so if you don't see your name here and you helped me I pray you'll remember who you're dealing with and that my flighty nature is one of my endearing qualities!
First and foremost, I need to thank my parents. You introduced me to reading and writing and encouraged me to do more of both. You also never eased up on me when you felt I wasn't reaching my potential. It took me a long time to appreciate the expectations you held for me.
To my husband and our roommate: Thank you for helping with the kids and not complaining on the nights when dinner was some ridiculous excuse for food. Also, thanks for being willing to sit and listen to me babble about a romance novels when I know neither of you enjoy the genre.
A huge thanks to one of the best friends a girl could ask for, Micki Streeter. You stayed on me for over a year to start writing a book and never let me stop once I caved in. You were the one who had faith in me when I was sure I couldn't do this. There were some days your faith is what kept me going! I'll see you on the beach with a fruity drink!
Almost twenty years ago, I was blessed to be admitted to the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra. There, I met Sarah Penn. Over the years, we've been strangers in the same orchestra, acquaintances, co-workers, and roommates. But most of all, we've been friends. Much like Julia, Carly and Annie, we lost touch for a long time but that didn't affect our friendship. If anything, I hope it proved to both of us that time is inconsequential to true friends. Sarah, you have been another rock for me through all of this. I know you are a busy, busy mom so it means the world to me that you were willing to take the time to read my words, tell me what worked and help me work through the misbehaving children, aka Julia and Micah.
To Rita Miller, Amy Moncrief and all of Clippie's MVPs: Thank you for reading chapter by chapter and giving me feedback. Thank you for being honest in that feedback when things weren't working.
This has been one of the wildest rides in my life. Thank you to everyone out there who has
been a part of it!