Welcome Janine! We’re glad you could join us today to talk about your latest release WITH EVERY MEMORY.
Tell our readers about With Every Memory?
At its heart, With Every Memory is the story of what happens when an already-broken family loses the one person who has been holding them together. Lori Mendenhall returns home to a family she barely recognizes after the same car accident that killed her son stole the last eight years of memories from her. Lori’s once-loving husband is a stoic workaholic with questionable intentions, and her teenage daughter has been chewed up and spit out by the world following the loss of her twin brother. As Lori’s memories—both good and bad—resurface, she’ll have to decide whether the family she’s returned to is beyond hope.
What was the inspiration for With Every Memory?
I wrote this story at a time when several of my friends were fighting to save their marriages. It was heartbreaking to see their struggles, but the worst part was the judgment that came from the people who should have been most supportive in the couples’ time of need. I wrote this story to honor the grit and determination of those who give their all— time, energy, tears, prayers, etc.—to keep their families together, whether they are successful or not.
One of your female protagonists, Lori Mendenhall, has experienced an accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. What type of research was required to accurately portray someone who has experienced this type of injury?
The best research, aside from experiencing something yourself, is to learn directly from those who have experienced it. I consulted a friend who kindly shared her healing journey after a traumatic brain injury. I read books and countless blog posts from people with different types of amnesia as a result of brain injury. Also, I teach the basics of brain development and function through the lifespan in my college courses. For this story, I enjoyed diving deeper into this topic and studying the miraculous ability of the brain to heal, restore, and rewire itself after physical or emotional trauma.
Lori has lost eight years of memories. As she uncovers details of her previous life, she wonders if the life she can’t remember is one she would rather forget. How does she deal with these memories as they begin to resurface?
Not well. But seriously, Lori has endured so much tragedy, it’s no surprise her recovered memories cause more stress for her. Within the family dynamic, people and circumstances change over time. The Mendenhalls are no different. Lori is stuck between two different realities. Who she remembers being doesn’t fit in her current world, and she must figure this out without the one person in the family who had remained stable through it all—her son, Austin. The positive side of this, of course, is that Lori has a unique opportunity to view her life with the eyes of an outsider and decide if she wants to do things differently this second time around.
You are well known for creating heart-gripping family dramas. In With Every Memory, each member of the Mendenhall family is grappling with loss and grief in their own way. What can we learn from their struggles?
Humans weren’t created to comprehend death or carry the pain that accompanies it. We weren’t created to love someone and then lose them in an instant. I can attest from the losses I’ve experienced that grief can tear you to pieces, especially if blame or guilt is involved. So we cope the best we can. Rarely do these coping strategies align, which is the Mendenhalls’ struggle. That’s why grief counseling is so important! With some professional help, families can understand the basis for the differing coping strategies and, therefore, extend some grace to each other and us.
What other lessons do you hope readers can gain from reading your novel?
Everyone needs a Xander in their life. No, scratch that. Everyone should BE a Xander. Xander Dixon isn’t perfect by any means, but he does one thing that puts him above others: he shows up. He makes himself available to be whatever the hurting person needs him to be. He’s an encourager and friend to Avery. He’s a reminder to Michael of the kind of guy he once was. He gives Lori the chance to mother someone the way she remembers—with grilled cheese sandwiches and extra-chocolatey milk. He even lets Anita lecture him so she can feel like she is doing something worthwhile!
What do you love most about writing contemporary fiction?
One thing I can’t handle is knowing that someone feels alone when I can’t do anything about it. That’s why I love giving readers stories about characters they can relate to, in feeling if not in circumstance. While we may not have lost a child, had a traumatic brain injury, or whatever the character’s plight is, we know fear, sorrow, shame, heartache, jubilation, love, and hope. It’s my prayer that a story with a hopeful ending will encourage readers to carry on with whatever they are facing with their own measure of hope.
What are you working on next?
I recently made a dream come true by traveling Route 66 from Chicago to LA. It was amazing! Now I’m putting all I saw, experienced, and learned into a story set along the fabled highway. It weaves three different eras together into an emotional tale about how we become who we are.
How can readers connect with you?
The best way to get the scoop about new releases, sales, and giveaways is through my newsletter. Find it on https://janinerosche.com. My Facebook reader group is where the fun happens, https://www.facebook.com/groups/janinerosche. If you’re passionate about the same things I’m passionate about, such as books, family, travel, and wellness, you’ll love my quarterly digital magazine The Love Wander Read Journal. Find it at http://janinerosche.com/the-love-wander-read-journal/.
