Dunk (26 page)

The chapter sat for years. I wrote other books, mostly fantasy. But I started writing some realistic short stories, too. Those stories inspired me to try a major novel set fully in the real world. The dormant chapter called to me. As I wrote, I felt the unease that comes from exploring new territory. No monsters in this book. No wizards or vampires. At times I was excited. At other times I was positive I was creating hundreds of pages of rubbish. Deep in my heart, I nourished the faint hope that I was writing something special.

Like any highly insecure writer, I sought feedback. Various people were kind enough to read the chapters that I thrust at them. Brian Macdonald was one of the first. Marilyn Singer and the ever-reliable Doug Baldwin each read an early draft and provided many excellent suggestions. Doug's daughters, Fern and Heather, and his wife, Connie Cook, are also members of my allstar critique squad. Carolyn and Ashley Grayson read various drafts. Dian Curtis Regan provided all sorts of feedback. My daughter, Alison, served as critic-on-demand, sounding board, and brainstorming resource. My wife, who probably regrets ever pointing out that first Bozo, was handed the thankless role of constant reader.

An extremely patient Dr. Matthew S. Pollock, whom I shamelessly cornered in the waiting area of a karate dojo while we watched our kids punch each other, answered dozens of questions about various medical aspects of the book. To his credit he never ran or flinched when I waved pages in his face. Any errors in this area are mine, not his.

Alick Smith III served as my roofing expert. Any leaks are mine, not his.

Once the easy task of writing was out of the way, I faced the hard part: finding an editor. It was Marilyn Singer who suggested Michele Coppola and provided an introduction. Nobody has ever done me a greater favor. Shelly is a dream editor. Her gentle suggestions helped the book grow in many ways. I give heartfelt thanks to her, and to everyone at Clarion, for sharing my enthusiasm. I need to give special thanks to managing editor James Armstrong for lending an ear and an eye that are far more skilled than my own. He caught every ball I dropped.

Anatomy of an Illness
is a real book. We all owe a debt of thanks to the late Norman Cousins for sharing his insights. The boardwalk where Chad lives is loosely based on the one I visited. My thanks to the barkers, Bozos, pitchmen, merchants, cooks, waiters, policemen, lifeguards, and visitors who make it so special. Any seedy or unpleasant aspects are entirely my own invention. I love every inch of that place.

Finally, thanks to Doc Watson and J. S. Bach for creating such wonderful music. Their artistry is as much a part of my workday as my cats, coffee cup, and computer.

I could go on. There's nothing easier for writers than to write about their books. But I've already overstayed my welcome. Visit me at my website (
www.davidlubar.com)
if you have a chance. I can promise you a few laughs.

D
AVID
L
UBAR
lives in Pennsylvania and is the author of many books for teens and young readers, including the fantasy
Hidden Talents
.
VOYA
magazine says: “
Dunk
confirms Lubar's growing stature as an author of distinctive, intriguing, and highly original young adult fiction.”