Are you watching the Olympics? I can't get enough--staying up after midnight watching every swim, every floor routine. I find it especially emotional to watch the parents and the coaches react to their athletes' performances. It's the athletes who work their butts off every day , and I take nothing from them. But this post is to celebrate their support team. Thanks, Mom! Who first believed in you ? Who first told you "Your writing's really great!" Who said "Maybe you should get this published?!?" Whoever that was, you know how important he or she is to your writing career. Only writers know how grueling it is to finish a novel, but we also realize it's even harder when we go it alone. Having loved ones, friends, and mentors to encourage us makes the path to publication a lot lighter. I'm blessed to have many supporters on my team. Elementary school teachers who praised my fledgling creative writing efforts...college profes