Guest Author: Kathleen Gerard

Happy Independence Day!

The aim of fiction is often to make a character change - and sometimes grow. At the beginning of my novel, IN TRANSIT, Rita Del Vecchio, the protagonist, is a rather naive, 20-something young girl. She feels stalled in her life, working as a waitress. But when a psychic in a shopping mall reads her Tarot cards and suggests that she is "destined for greatness" and she will "marry a man in uniform," Rita sets out on a quest to become a New York City Police Officer.

What I envisioned for the arc of Rita's character was her coming of age and learning about the "real" world by living her life - and falling in love. But in order to make her character change and grow, I needed something to butt up against her naivete - something to serve in direct contrast to her innocence. Often, the most painful experiences and challenges in life are the ones that foster growth and maturity. That's what led me to weave the chilling realities of domestic abuse into the narrative. Some of the violent scenes in the novel made me, even as the writer, cringe and feel sad. I didn't want this fate to befall Rita, but those aspects of the story, and Rita's ultimate need to liberate and save herself, are essential to Rita's growth as a character.

In order to more fully engage the reader and ratchet up the tension, I decided to structure IN TRANSIT in such a way that the reader is privy to more details than the protagonist. For Rita Del Vecchio, love is blind. She meets many men in uniform in the NYPD. And she falls in love with someone she thinks is wonderful, but the reader knows better - that the man she loves is actually leading a double life. It is that double-life that creates tension that ultimately seeps into the fabric of the couple's relationship until "Mr. Wonderful" becomes "Mr. Not-So Wonderful."

What will it take to make this couple stay together? What will drive them apart? And do we ever really know people? Do we even know ourselves? These are the very questions that are raised by reading IN TRANSIT...

Today is July 4th, INDEPENDENCE DAY, the day that we, in the United States, celebrate the emancipation of our country from the ties of England. In our own lives, just like in the life of Rita Del Vecchio from IN TRANSIT, we all have our own, personal Independence Days - people and situations which force us to make decisions that will ultimately change us and force us to grow. What are the great lessons of your life and what have you learned from them? Are you a better person because of those experiences? We encourage you to share your stories with us.

To learn more about Kathleen Gerard and IN TRANSIT--and to read more details about the story behind the story--visit http://intransit-thenovel.blogspot.com

Copyright 2011 by Kathleen Gerard. All Rights Reserved.

Information about Domestic Abuse:

Domestic abuse is widespread. According to U.S. FBI reports, husbands and boyfriends kill approximately 1,500 women a year. And in any given year 2,000,000 men beat their wives/girlfriends. Children in these homes are also at high risk to be battered and injured.

If you are suffering abuse, please know that YOU (and your loved ones) ARE NOT ALONE! There is help out there!

Contact the National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline

1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
Anonymous & Confidential Help 24/7