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Friday, January 13, 2012

For Love of Acknowledgements

I am a sucker for author acknowledgments.  I always read them.  I like how who the author chooses to acknowledge and why adds another dimension to the text.  I sometimes consider plot points or characters in a different light after reading the author's acknowledgements. To me, getting a glimpse into the creative process is interesting and telling.  Also, I have to admit, I have enjoyed being mentioned in acknowledgements myself here and here.

I thought most people did not have an opinion about acknowledgements either way.  This week I learned I was wrong.  The Millions posted an essay entitled, "The Story Behind the Story" by Henriette Lazaridis Power in which she professes her love of acknowledgements, and talks about how best selling author Ann Patchett does not believe in them.  It is an interesting issue to contemplate.  I greatly enjoyed her take on it.

What about you? How do you feel about acknowledgements?

2 comments:

ckubala said...

I like them and I almost always read them as they often provide a back story. Even if an author only provides names and affiliation, it gives me information on how he/she was able to format the story.

In addition, I have a fondness for dedications.

Rebecca said...

I also like them - Stephen King's are almost as good as the novels themselves!