C.’s Comments (group member since Oct 30, 2012)

C.’s comments from the Ask Christine Anderson group.

Laura wrote: "****SPOILERS****
Christine, You mentioned in your bio at the end of the book that you will be fighting addicition for life. Is any of "Life of the Party" based on your personal experiences? Do yo..."

The book was based on my past experiences as well as those of my friends growing up, not quite to the extent as in Life of the Party, but enough to understand the nature of addiction and all that goes with it. I had a lot in common with Mackenzie when I was a teenager, but this book was not an autobiography by any means.

Grey too, was based on someone I used to know, a genuinely good guy who was doing his best with what life threw at him. (Don't worry, he's still alive!)

I can't wait to finish the sequel and get it out there. Mac and Riley will be back, I promise!

Laura wrote: "Interesting- I didn't think of that, but since it was from Mac's pov that makes sense. Also, Grey seemed to function so much better than Mac. She seemed more addicted in a way than he was. She b..."

Grey had a pretty dysfunctional upbringing. He truly loved Mackenzie, the "only way he knew how"...but that wasn't necessarily a healthy way. The drugs made him feel good, made him happy, and he wanted to share that happiness with her. The possibility of terrible consequences never even occurred to him.

Laura wrote: "I have so much I want to talk about when it comes to this book & I will, but it's been an insanely busy week. Jut reading Tylaine's question brought up all the feelings of panic & sadness that I ha..."

Hey Laura! Thanks again for this discussion idea! And to answer your question, Mackenzie was tiny to begin with, and with the constant drug use--and hardly ever eating anything--she was skin and bones by the end. Grey's body was deteriorating as well, but just as he was blinded by love and oblivious to Mackenzie's condition, so was she to his. He's only ever described and perfect and gorgeous because that's the only Mackenzie could see him.

Stephanie wrote: "Will there another book?"

Yes there will! I'm working on a sequel to LOTP that features Charlie and her life, about a year after Mackenzie left. Mac and Riley will be in it too though, I promise.

Jennifer wrote: "I have a couple of questions:
1. Did Reilly try to have a relationship with "the Christian" Emily?
2.Is there music that goes with Grey's song? My daughter was playing around with the lyrics with ..."

Thanks Jennifer!

Yes, Riley did try to have a relationship with Emily. It was one of those things, when the person you really want is unattainable and you really push yourself to move on. Emily played a crucial part in inspiring Riley's faith, she enamoured and intrigued him. They shared a close bond and really grew from each other, but through it all, Mackenzie was his true love.

Yes, I do have music for Grey's song, just in my head though, I love that she came up with some ideas! It's been a dream of mine to hear that song being played in real life...maybe on the movie soundtrack ;)

Oooh I should check those out! Have you ladies ever seen Requiem for a Dream? Its about heroin addiction, its very real and very disturbing, I think every teenager should be forced to watch it. Also,did you know the movie Trainspotting is classified as a comedy?

Tylaine wrote: "Hi Christine I loved your book. It had such an inspiring message. And it can relate to much more in life than just drugs and addiction! (if that makes sense :))
I too am from Alberta. Edmonton. (I ..."

Thank you Tylaine!

I struggled for a long time, trying to decide what to do with Grey. There were a few options, and my longing for a happy ending would have had them both sober and together in the end. But I wanted the shock of his death, the sorrow and the aspect of tragedy to really register with the reader, to show just how damaging addiction can be. With the depth of his addiction, he either couldn't or didn't want to get sober, and with the love he bore Mackenzie,it didn't seem feasible for them to just break up. His death was a poetic way for him to finally do something right.

Other books on the subject you'd recommend?

Go ahead, ask me anything!

Thoughts, comments, questions about the book? Discuss them here.

Thank you so much for joining me! Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself.

I was born and raised in a little prairie town, Three Hills, Alberta, population--about 3500. I had a terrific upbringing with a functional family and happy, healthy memories. So why did I turn to drugs when I was a teenager? I don't really know. But I did.

It was a slippery slope from there. Thankfully I got out before any tragedy ensued but I know not everyone is so lucky. I really wanted to show people how easy it is to become addicted and how serious addiction can be. That addicts are not bad people, just people that can't help themselves.

I am currently working on a sequel to Life of the Party, based on Charlie's life a year after Mac leaves. (Riley and Mackenzie will make it in there too...I promise) I had hoped to have it finished in time for Christmas, but with two young children and dayhome to run, it might be more like early spring.

But enough about me...tell me about you!