Ask Christine Anderson discussion

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!

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 kinda chuckled at your reference to the red 50$) I moved here to Utah 12 years ago to marry my baby. I have 3 kids age 8, 6, and 3.
I'm a little curious as to why you had Grey commit suicide and not just leave or something. It just seems a little shocking. Personally I view suicide in most situations as somewhat cowardly (I don't mean that to be judgemental) and I just really kinda fell in love with Grey's character and imagined him stronger than that.
I'm really looking forward to reading your sequel!

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.

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 when reading Grey's suicide. It was so sad & tragic I could hardly stand it. I get that he thought he was doing something selfless & maybe in a way he was, but it was also awful. He had to know Mac would find him & he couldn't be certain that she would move on to sobriety because he was gone. In fact, there was a small chance that she would. I guess he knew she had a good family that loved her & had the resources for rehab, but how often does rehab work? Only I the patient wants it to work & Mac seemed more addicted than Grey. I did love how it ended with Riley (?name? It's been too long since I read it!). It was obvious Mac always loved him & he loved her. I just was so sad that Grey has to die, but in know the reality of drug addiction often ends in tragedy. Mac probably would've died & left Grey alone if they wouldn't have sobered up. Christine, why did the drugs deteriorate Mac's body so much more than Grey's?

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.

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 became selfish at times about getting her drugs, and that's all she could think about. Grey, at times mentioned getting clean & he laid off when he knew he had to work, etc... Was he just more "used" to doing grugs than her, so he could control his use better?
So, what I found really sad after getting to know Grey better as the book went on, was the fact that he even introduced Mac to hard core drugs in the first place & kept her supplied. I had a boyfriend in hs that I partied with, but as he got into harder stuff, he'd always tell me not to go there. I found it annoying, but I could tell he cared too & I did stay away. That's what I wished for Grey, but I guess he was too deep into that lifestyle before he even met Mac & in the end, he felt guilty :(

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.