Hi Jill, just a note to let you know your interview and book excerpt was great. I work with people with dementia, and it is difficult and sad. Thank you for sharing your heartbreaking story and good luck with sales.
I started reading finding the way back and it was incredibly disappointing in how flat and whiny the character Laney is. She’s always snapping at people and whining about no one ever telling her what to do. Instead of a strong woman she comes across as a petulant toddler. I have no idea why you wrote the other characters to coddle and pander to her they way the do either. It read like a middle school short story rather than a novel. Emmett should have ran fast at how cranky she always is. The situations and dialogue are way overly simplified as well, further making it sound like something a grader schooler could have written.
Thank you for your feedback. One of the themes I try to write is strong women. The fallacy that strong women always act a certain way is often promoted in stories. The truth is that often in a controlling relationship with another human, women find themselves losing a part of that spirit. I have faced my own demons of someone else’s making and seen myself as a victim.) When Laney gets a divorce, she defines herself as a victim as I have seen a lot of strong women do. She now is trying to make sense of her ownership in the relationship, even if it is ignoring early signs that this man was not worthy of her love. (which I watch strong women do all the time) The myth of the reformed rake is one a lot of women really embrace and it led to Laney’s heartbreak. Connie calls her out on being a victim and that becomes the catalyst for change. Now, is the time for her to be introspective and give up the victim mantle. Emmett should probably run from her. A man who is respectful, honest and loyal often sees the pain underneath that behavior to the real person. He knows she just got out of a relationship. Friendship is his first motivator even though he likes her. I tried with the progression of the series to bring out Laney’s strength to show character growth. Unfortunately, all you have to do is watch reality television and you will see, some grown women don’t act much different than they did in middle school.
One question I have is where you obtained the book. It has been out of print for years. If you purchased it or downloaded it free, it was against copyright law and I would appreciate knowing where you found it.
Hi Jill, just a note to let you know your interview and book excerpt was great. I work with people with dementia, and it is difficult and sad. Thank you for sharing your heartbreaking story and good luck with sales.
Thanks JoAnne! I really appreciate your kind words!
I started reading finding the way back and it was incredibly disappointing in how flat and whiny the character Laney is. She’s always snapping at people and whining about no one ever telling her what to do. Instead of a strong woman she comes across as a petulant toddler. I have no idea why you wrote the other characters to coddle and pander to her they way the do either. It read like a middle school short story rather than a novel. Emmett should have ran fast at how cranky she always is. The situations and dialogue are way overly simplified as well, further making it sound like something a grader schooler could have written.
Thank you for your feedback. One of the themes I try to write is strong women. The fallacy that strong women always act a certain way is often promoted in stories. The truth is that often in a controlling relationship with another human, women find themselves losing a part of that spirit. I have faced my own demons of someone else’s making and seen myself as a victim.) When Laney gets a divorce, she defines herself as a victim as I have seen a lot of strong women do. She now is trying to make sense of her ownership in the relationship, even if it is ignoring early signs that this man was not worthy of her love. (which I watch strong women do all the time) The myth of the reformed rake is one a lot of women really embrace and it led to Laney’s heartbreak. Connie calls her out on being a victim and that becomes the catalyst for change. Now, is the time for her to be introspective and give up the victim mantle. Emmett should probably run from her. A man who is respectful, honest and loyal often sees the pain underneath that behavior to the real person. He knows she just got out of a relationship. Friendship is his first motivator even though he likes her. I tried with the progression of the series to bring out Laney’s strength to show character growth. Unfortunately, all you have to do is watch reality television and you will see, some grown women don’t act much different than they did in middle school.
One question I have is where you obtained the book. It has been out of print for years. If you purchased it or downloaded it free, it was against copyright law and I would appreciate knowing where you found it.
Thank you.
Jill