Q & A Laura Drake

What first inspired you to tell this story of love, loss, and impossible choices?

My sister died of cancer three decades ago. She was the closest person to me, then or since. She would have loved to have had an option like assisted suicide, but it wasn’t legal then. Luckily, she didn’t suffer.

How did you approach capturing the emotional weight of caregiving while also showing resilience?

My husband has Parkinson’s. I’m his caregiver. I’ve lived parts of this book.

Why was it important for you to write so honestly about end-of-life decisions?

Whichever side you’re on in the discussion, I wanted to show you the other side. I wasn’t trying to convince anyone one way or the other, but I hope readers come away with a better understanding of the other side.

What do you hope readers take away from the stepmother–daughter tension in the narrative? And beyond the conflict itself, what insights or reflections do you hope their relationship sparks for readers?

I am a stepmother. It can be a complicated relationship. One that you sometimes wonder will ever resolve. Especially one like Bea and Joan have: the closeness in age, and the opposing religious views as well as the jealousy makes it even harder. But I believe if you can step back and look at the situation from the other person’s point of view (not easy to do), it can help.

The novel shines a light on the shadow between justice and mercy. How did you balance these themes in a way that feels authentic but not prescriptive?

That’s the wonder of writing! I got Joan into the courtroom, but I didn’t know what would happen from there! I was a surprised as the readers with the answer (no spoilers), but after I wrote it, I realized it was the only realistic conclusion to the trial.

ALS and its impact are central to the story. What kind of research or personal experiences guided you in portraying the realities of the disease?

I haven’t known anyone with ALS. I did research online and spoke with a friend who lost someone to the dreaded disease.

Was there a scene or chapter that was especially difficult for you to write?

Many of them. I don’t think a writer can move readers if he/she is not moved. I shed many tears, writing this book.

What does “living fully” mean to you after writing this book?

I do live fully. After my sister died, I vowed I’d live for us both. That means saying yes to new experiences. I’m not afraid to try something new, and find something to be grateful for, every single day. As you age, and you have less years ahead than you do behind, you are more aware of the small, joyful things around you. It’s a big advantage, and one of the most important things I’ve learned.

For Roger raises questions without offering easy answers. What kinds of conversations do you hope this book sparks among families or book clubs?

I hope it sparks conversations amongst loved ones. It’s a tough conversation to start, but an important one – sometimes a critical one. What do you want done at the end? What if you’re in an accident, and can’t speak for yourself? Please don’t leave your children, spouses, etc. to make decisions in the stunned aftermath. I’m so grateful my mother had that conversation with my siblings and I. When the time came, the burden of decision was off our shoulders…we knew what she wanted. Please start that conversation.

This book feels like a tribute as much as a novel. Is there someone you especially dedicate this story to or someone whose voice or memory carried you through the writing process?

My husband. I still have him, but he’s a different man than the amazing man I married. Sometimes I see a glimmer of that guy, and we laugh. I’ve led an adventurous, amazing life since I met him, and I wouldn’t be the strong woman I’ve come to admire without him.

Since publishing, has any reader response whether encouraging or surprising touched you in a way that left a lasting impression?

Yes! I’ve had many readers contact me, saying how deeply they were effected by the book. They tell me stories about the loved ones they lost. I’ve cried over their stories, too.

If a reader walked away with only one lasting message from For Roger, what would you want it to be?

Don’t be afraid to take a long look at the other side of any issue. Even if you don’t change your mind, you’ll have learned something important. Today’s world is so divided…and it’s so sad. We have much more in common that it looks like of the surface, and if we’d just take the time to discuss contentious subjects without anger, we’d all be better off.

What’s next for you as an author, are there new stories or projects you’re working on that readers can look forward to?

I’ve just released my first book in a new genre – Domestic Suspense! It’s titled, The Devil She Didn’t Know, about a woman married with children for fifteen years, who discovers her husband is a serial killer. It has strong Women’s Fiction elements as well.