What's the story behind your latest book?
After my identifying my personal struggles with parental alienation, I started searching for answers to questions I'd never asked before. Support groups introduced me to a community of other parents who were crippled by an archaic, litigious system designed to tear families apart, rather than strengthen them. My heart wrenched at how widespread the issues were across the US and the world. It compelled me to make a difference. I started collaborating with state officials, in my home state, on how we could reform the local family legal system. From that arose my passion to educate others about what their sisters, brothers, and friends were experiencing. It's so easy to sit on the sidelines and tell a parent what they should do, but that person is usually not the one paying the lawyers or taking time away from work to go to court. My hope was that someone would buy the book for entertainment purposes, and walk away with a new perspective.
What are you working on next?
My next project is the sequel to They Can't Eat You for Supper. I debated for a long time whether to keep building the story in this book, or make a second one. It came down to two because it was important for me the reader to hear it from the child's voice. These are the real heroes in any divorce or custody situation. They are the ones who pack their bags every other week, two days, fill-in-the-blank. The children are the ones who keep their grades up, feed their pets, and navigate the social worlds of two homes. And, they do it willingly just for the sense of belonging. I think readers will appreciate seeing Kristin's experience from her daughter's view point. She's older now, and has a compelling story of her own.
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