Q&A with Rayme Waters discussion

What was your inspiration for creating your main character, Cinnamon Monday? She is such a compelling figure.

Hi Mark, thanks for your question. I grew up in Sonoma County, and although my parents were "hippie lite", I had friends who had parents lived communes, didn't believe that children needed to go to school, named their children all sorts of borderline cruel names that make it hard to get along in 'real life' etc. Some of these kids turned out fine and others are still really struggling to find their place in the world. I suppose because I had such personal access to the details many lives like Cinnamon's I was able to construct one that you found compelling. Were you able to believe in Cinnamon's redemption?

Yes, very much so. Her path to redemption mirrors real life - it's always two steps forward, one step back. The trick is never give up and keep moving forward toward the light, even with the inevitable setbacks. That's what Cinnamon did!

It was important to me to write a story where the addict heals not only her addiction, but also the behaviors that made the addiction probable in the first place. The numbers regarding relapse for meth addicts are pretty sobering (no pun intended!)--it often becomes a chronic disease that is managed instead of cured, but I wanted to write a novel where although you don't know how her life will play out, you have a sense she is on a strong path toward a better future.

Thank you for writing such a wonderful book!