Welcome to the sequel

I am often asked to describe my series to people and it’s hard for me to explain the progression of 30 books. I usually say it is a mix of Grey’s Anatomy and Homeland, with a mix of medical and military stories.

But when I think about it, it’s so much more than that.

Even though many of my main characters are doctors or work in the medical field, it’s not a story focused on a hospital or what goes on inside the OR. I show that when necessary, but it’s more a story of the characters and not so much their work life.

It’s also about the military, but it’s not a war story. It’s character based and focuses on the aftermath of a deployment and how it effects people.

I think my main goal in beginning this series, and through the years I’ve written, is to focus on the idea that one moment, however horrible, doesn’t define who you are.

I was watching Greys Anatomy over the past few weeks and the character of Jo has really bothered me. This has nothing to do with the writing or the acting, both are superb, but rather the story itself.

I can’t help but think of Jade.

She was a child of rape and her mother was so distraught and hurt by what occurred she tossed newborn Jade in a dumpster. Jade was also raised in foster homes and was abused most of her life.

But I guess I always looked at Jade as a survivor. It’s not that she came from something violent that defined her life.

It was what she did moving forward.

Jade is not necessarily always right or perfect, but I wanted to show her growth. Her upbringing effected her in more ways than I could list, from her body shaming to her self image to her fear of rejection. She has always gone out of her way to be helpful and needed in order to make up for her perceived guilt in coming into the world a child of rape.

But Jade was also full of strength and power and passion. She was not responsible for the actions of the man who assaulted her mother and she was not a representation of that moment. She is a full person, with her own hopes and dreams and ambitions.

Many people come from really horrible situations, and they make it. They are not defined by that moment.

I didn’t really mention Mike here, because Jade’s success as a character isn’t tied to Mike. She was a person all on her own who actually appeared in the very first draft of the first book before it became a prequel. I adored Jade and I wanted her to have a story. I needed her to belong.

Mike was the connection that helped bring Jade layers. He helped me see Jade’s personality and quirks. He helped me flesh out a story I desperately wanted to tell.

Jade and Mike are the most ‘real’ of the characters. They are not cookie cutter romantic heroes. I love them and the beautiful story they created.

Again- not a knock on the show, I love it, but this story struck a chord with me. I hope Jo finds her way and allows those who love her to help her.

One of my biggest flaws in the story, at least in my opinion, is how I write Jack and Stephanie. It’s not that I don’t feel them as much as the others, but Stephanie has the unfortunate luck of dealing with MS. I say that because I hesitate to write issues for her because it hits too close to home.

I also think Jack is too good. I don’t mean that he isn’t flawed at times, but he never really has a lot of struggles in his life. He is the one called on for almost everything, and Stephanie is always ready to help, too. I know I have called them the ‘anchors’ of the family, but I kind of wish I did more with them.

I think that’s why I began the sequel with Sabrina. – it’s a way to circle back to Jack and Stephanie. A way to include them in the new story.

Bill and Julie are my fun couple. Obviously, if you’ve read the series, you know I’ve put them through so much pain- especially Bill. The cool thing about them is that from the moment they met, they were it for each other. There was never anyone else. There was never any doubt.

There was always love.

When I think about their story, I see David and Desi and I want that love to survive.

Much of “One Love” revolves around David and Desi’s story, and I think you will see a lot of parallels with Julie and Bill. Not in story, but in character.

David is his father’s son and Desi has the tenacity of her mother.

What they have been through in the six year gap between stories is probably the most profound. They have experienced the most loss.

But back to Jimmy and Sabrina.

They were the unlikely couple which formed at the tail end of the series. I was so excited to write something for them, and when I ended the series, I knew if I continued, they would feature prominently in the first book.

Sabrina deserved a story. She deserved an existence outside of David and outside of her family. I needed to explore who she was as an adult and what she wanted out of life. Having her live in New York for the past three years enabled me to give her a starting point.

She was reentering the family just as we were.

We all needed to catch up.

Bringing in Tommy and Brittany was another strategic idea. After bringing them to the edge of ruin in book 30, I debated where they were at the beginning of the sequel. Were they okay? Still together? Still healthy?

Dealing with Tommy’s hand was a big point of movement for me. He is a surgeon and even though that isn’t all he is, it’s something I know he wouldn’t be okay just letting go. He needed to try everything.

That set off the main conflict in One Love. This family finds drama everywhere, and Tommy was a big part of creating the conflict which enveloped Sabrina and Jimmy.

The sequel will involve everyone you know and love, but it will focus more on the next generation.

Tessa and Robbie, Jimmy and Sabrina, Desi and David, Naomi and Bryan.

Four couples who ended the series together, but don’t begin the same way. I wasn’t sure exactly where they all were. I needed to ‘hear’ from them. What had they been through? Where were they now in their lives? Had they gone through significant changes? Were they happy?

One Love reintroduces the characters and sets up their own new adventures. There is drama, of course, but I ultimately wanted this sequel to be different.

I am excited to push the envelope and delve deeper into what people in their mid twenties are dealing with in this digital age. So much of the character’s lives have been protected by their parents. I wanted to allow them to find their way.

One last note. The most profound change in the series will be what happened to Ian and Cassie. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I am taking Ian on a specific journey that even I didn’t see coming. Sometimes things happen and they take us by complete surprise. Ian has always been a strong man. He has been a rock for his daughter and his wife. He stood by his family through the worst moments and he has always done his best to be whoever they needed.

Ian goes through the darkest moments of his life during this book. I have a plan for him, and I can’t wait for it to unfold.

Have you picked up your copy of One Love?

Thoughts?