Judith asked Catherine Ryan Hyde:

Just finished Just After Midnight and found the character Faith fascinating. I would like to know how you came to write about her strength and courage after leaving a marriage what seemed in a very short time span? I still struggle with decisions I made years ago and working on being more like the character Faith was as she has inspiration me.

Catherine Ryan Hyde Hi Judith. Well, a couple of things to consider. She is of course a fictional character. I don't mean she doesn't need to feel realistic. Rather I mean we are only seeing the broad strokes of her actions as they relate to the arc of this story. I'm sure in real life she would have plenty of peaks and valleys, but I am only capturing the ones that matter within this limited space of time.

Years ago I left a relationship that contained just that level of abuse (I even used some real examples) and I'm not sure I did as well as Faith. Still, I think if I'd had an opportunity to be strong on behalf of someone vulnerable like Sarah, I would have. I hope I would have--even if plenty more self doubt followed. I hope you can be inspired to be more like Faith while at the same time cutting yourself plenty of slack. You're a real-life human being and she's not, so you have the harder job.

flag