Interview with Deborah Raney
about "Remember to Forget"

Added July 1, 2007

In the Library Reviews welcomes Deborah Raney!

Joyce: Remember to Forget sensitively portrays one woman's flight from the fear of abuse. Is this a widespread problem in our society? Are there a lot of woman out there who are suffering violence at the hands of their boyfriends?

Deborah: Sadly, yes, it is a widespread problem. The statistics I found while researching this novel show that domestic violence is epidemic in our country at this time in history. One source said that a woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the United States, and that she is more likely to be injured, raped or killed by her male partner than by any other type of assailant. I find those statistics frightening and sad.

Joyce: What's the best advice a battered woman could receive? What does she need to hear?

Deborah: Abused women need to know that they can find help and the strength to leave their abuser. There are numerous organizations with the goal of helping women out of abusive situations, and in addition, nearly every city or town has more than one church with a pastor/counselor who would consider it a privilege to help a woman escape from such abuse.

Joyce: Why did you write this book? What inspired you to create the character of Maggie Anderson?

Deborah: Remember to Forget contains a subtle allegory about new life in Christ. My husband treated me to a writing retreat at a small-town bed and breakfast a few years ago, and as I walked around this safe little town, it struck me how comforting and healing it is to live in such a place. The element of security and belonging comes from that mentality of community, and people who offer a haven to the hurting. I wanted to write a story that illustrated the warmth I've found in small-town life, but as I wrote, I realized that Jesus Christ offers that haven to every one of us, regardless of whether the place we call home is a busy metropolis or a tiny berg.

Joyce: Remember to Forget is the first of three Clayburn novels. I loved the tiny town atmosphere! What will be the focus of the next two books?

Deborah: Jackson Linder, the alcoholic gallery owner and Trevor's dear friend, will be the hero in Leaving November, the second Clayburn novel. Fresh out of rehab and longing for a chance to put his past behind him, Jack hasn't counted on Vienne Kenney coming home to Clayburn to turn the café across the street into an upscale coffee shop. And when Vienne Kenney discovers that Jack struggles with the same addiction her good-for-nothing father did, it's too late. She's already fallen in love with him. I fell in love with Jack and Vienne and can't wait for the second Clayburn novel to release this winter!

Joyce: Is it more important to forgive or to forget?

Deborah: Definitely to forgive. I don't think human nature allows us to ever truly forget-only God can forget our sins as far as the east is from the west. But when we know His love, we can offer others the forgiveness He demonstrated so beautifully on the cross.

Joyce: Why do you think there is so much abuse and violence in our society? Is there any hope for us?

Deborah: I think the breakup of marriage and the family, and a growing disrespect for faith have a lot to do with the proliferation of violence both domestically and around the world. When children grow up estranged from one or both parents, and when faith is not honored from youth on, it's really no surprise that we resort to violence and abusing one another. Children need warm, loving families-and preferably a mother and a father-in order to grow up with a healthy view of relationships. But yes, there is hope. The families my husband and I see in our church, where we teach young married couples, are committed to one another and committed to faith in God. And those two elements alone make a world of difference!

Joyce: Maggie and Kevin had a disastrous relationship. What are the essential elements of a positive, loving relationship?

Deborah: Mutual respect is essential, shared faith certainly makes things easier, having much in common is a plus, although sometimes it's our differences that keep us interesting to one another. I think if two people are both sincerely trying to live out their faith in God, they will behave in loving, unselfish ways most of the time. And when they fail, they will be quick to apologize and quick to forgive.

Joyce: Thanks Deb, for answering our questions. I'm looking forward to the next books in this series.

Deborah: I'm working on the first edit of Leaving November, the second book, and already the ideas for book 3, Yesterday's Embers, are flowing. I'll begin work on that book in earnest later this summer. I've loved "living" in Clayburn, Kansas for the months I've been working on this series. I'm happy my readers have fallen in love with Clayburn, too!

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