MB#77: 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙄𝙣𝙠.

[MemoirBlogthon #77] The dedication page is a simple yet profound tribute to a life's mentor. For my first book, Self MOTIVATION111 (2018), I chose to honor my father, Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry, praising his uprightness as a government engineer and acknowledging the "guiding hand" on my shoulder. Though readers often ask about its purpose, I know the significance: it sets the ethical tone for the entire work. This blog post explores the traditional practice of placing a dedication page, the common customs for honoring a father, and the unique perspective achieved by immortalizing his values—integrity and guidance—at the very beginning of my book.

MB#77: Gratitude in Dedication Page

The Essence of Gratitude: A Life Mentor's Tribute 🌟

The dedication page is a simple yet profound way for an author to express gratitude to those who have made a significant impact on their lives and work. It's a heartfelt tribute to the people who've inspired, supported, and guided you throughout your journey, acknowledging their influence and expressing appreciation. The purpose of this page is sincere: it sets the tone for the book, offering readers a glimpse into the values and relationships that have shaped the work they are about to read.

As an author, I wanted to honor my father in my books. For my first book, Self MOTIVATION111 (published in 2018 on Amazon Kindle and 2019 in paperback), I incorporated a heartfelt message:

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"This ebook is DEDICATED to my father

Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry

1925-2015

[Lead existence with uprightness and retired as most honest Superintending Engineer (Mechanical), Roads and Buildings Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh State, India.]

whose guiding hand has been on my shoulder and will remain with me forever in myself motivation endeavors."

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When my readers ask, I tell them the dedication page is truly a tribute paid to the life mentor(s) whose support made the writing possible.---

Analysis: Dedication Page Practice and Perspective

Let's dive deeper into the traditions and the message embedded in my dedication:

1. Did I follow the significance of the dedication page, and how?

Yes, absolutely. I followed the core significance by achieving two key objectives:

Acknowledge Influence: I explicitly named my father, Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry (1925-2015).

Set Ethical Tone: The dedication doesn't just mention him; it defines him by his core value: leading existence with "uprightness" and retiring as the "most honest Superintending Engineer." Since the book is about self-motivation, linking motivation to integrity immediately sets a high ethical standard for the reader, indicating that true success is built on honesty—a direct lesson from my father.

2. Is there any specialty to writing the dedication at the beginning of the page?

Yes, the placement is strategic and traditional. The dedication page is conventionally placed right at the beginning of the book (often after the title page but before the table of contents or prologue). This prominent placement highlights the importance of the person being honored. By placing the tribute early, the author signals that this individual's influence is foundational to the entire work, effectively making the dedication the book's first unspoken message to the reader.

3. What is the general practice for writing a dedication message on a 'Father'?

Dedications to fathers traditionally focus on acknowledging their role as a source of strength, discipline, and wisdom. Common practices include:

• Highlighting Guidance: Phrases like "To my first teacher" or "Whose wisdom guided me."

• Expressing Gratitude for Sacrifice: Acknowledging the efforts made to ensure the author's education or success.

• Celebrating Values: Honoring the virtues the father embodied (e.g., perseverance, humility, or, in my case, uprightness).

• Simple and Heartfelt Language: Avoiding excessive formality to keep the tribute warm and sincere.

  
  

4. What is the perspective of my dedication page as used by me?

My dedication is effective because it moves beyond generic praise and offers a powerful, career-specific perspective:

Honoring Professional Integrity: The dedication is not just to "Father" but specifically to a "most honest Superintending Engineer." This immortalizes his professional life as a guiding light.

Connecting Ethics to Motivation: The phrase "whose guiding hand has been on my shoulder and will remain with me forever in my self-motivation endeavors" creates a powerful link. It suggests that my motivation is not merely driven by ambition but by the moral code instilled by his life of integrity.

The Lasting Influence: By dedicating the book to someone who has passed away (1925-2015), I emphasize that his guidance is not a memory but a permanent internal presence that continues to fuel my self-motivation.

My Tips for Authors

Whether you're writing a short article or a full book, your dedication page is your most personal space. When writing yours, remember to be sincere and genuine. Keep it concise and focused on the person being honored. By sharing a simple, heartfelt anecdote or highlighting the values that inspired your work, you transform a page of mere text into a lasting, touching tribute.

MB#77: Quiz

MB77: Question: What specific moral quality of the father did the author choose to highlight in the dedication page?

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• A. His humility as an elder.
• B. His talent for public speaking.
• C. His uprightness and honesty as an engineer.
• D. His passion for music.

MB#77: Quote

"A tribute is best paid by making an effort to live up to the noble example you had been exposed to." – Lailah Gifty Akita