Ten Chapters Down, Eleven To Go!

There's so much I can't wait to share about FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM and the way it has grown. It's not just about the added scenes and increased richness of detail and character in the story; a story is so much more than a page number or a word count. It's about what we can take forward as part of ourselves after reading it, and I hope Christine's story gives people an inside look at the struggle behind the question so many people ask. When it comes to domestic abuse of any kind, people always seem to ask, "Well, why doesn't she just leave?" But there's so much more to it, when you look behind the scenes.

It's about the hope a victim has, the way they hold out waiting for something better to develop - or to come back. It's about the way so many people struggling with these kinds of relationships are dealing with feeling trapped in some way, whether that's because they're physically afraid to leave, because they're emotionally afraid to walk away or be alone, or because they're financially trapped and have no avenue of escape or support network to help them. Sometimes, like with Christine's friend Naomi, there are also religious considerations.

For some people, it's a quick decision, and none of those other things matter. But when you're in a situation, especially one you never envisioned catching yourself in, those factors all come into play. It's so much more complicated than just, "Why doesn't she leave?" I hope this story opens a new dialogue, opens new avenues, inspires people to do more, be more aware. I hope it moves us to compassion.

Chapter ten is complete, and as I'm nearing the halfway point of the novel, I'm so very proud of this second edition writing of Christine's story. I can hardly wait to see it go into the world - sticking to my planned publishing schedule for these is going to be so hard!