The idea for While I’m Dying came while watching a movie. A bland and formulaic movie with Aaron Spelling-ish drama. The “damsel in distress,” movie where someone had better save her before the stalker gets her. It had a touch of the obnoxiously ridiculous which ruined any credibility the movie may‘ve held.

One item which struck me as so disastrous to the show’s motive were details. The heroine didn’t look a day over twenty-four, the stalker pursued her day and night, implying he didn’t have a job. He owned a home and a rural cabin, dressed expensively, drove a new car and didn‘t work. Even after much fighting and running, the victim’s hair and make-up never changed. This sparked the idea about a realistic stalking novel.

The program made me wonder what stalking was really about. What was it like? Were the only victim’s women? Weren’t there female stalkers? Didn’t they warrant attention as male stalkers? Was it an affliction of the young? That is the only situation presented whenever a stalker is mentioned in the media.

Even after those questions, I hesitated to take the project. Stalking was a commonplace event. There are hundreds of movies, books and other media about it. Few were taken seriously. I soon imagined: what about after the stalking? A victim’s hardships wouldn’t end because a stalker was out-of-the-picture. What about the mental trauma? Paranoia and anxiety? The constant fear that the stalker would return? That damage wouldn’t magically disappear overnight.

The real idea behind the book came only after I’d considered all the aforementioned questions and the new: What if the stalker had a family? Could a stalker’s family carry on the “tradition?” Could they legally be vindictive with a victim?

I began an entire research campaign to learn more about stalking. What I found blew my preconceived ideas away. I couldn’t believe what was out there. Contrary to what the media portrayed, stalking affects all humans. Both genders, all ages, all body types are equally as likely to be stalked. Almost two million women and men are stalked in a year (U.S. Justice Department Statistics). That’s only reported cases They estimate only half of stalking cases are reported.

Most surprising while I conducted my research: it was an affliction which targeted adults. No youthful females or males. The number of victims college-aged or younger is fractional.

I found some of the most frightening and unbelievable facts. My passion for the subject achieved new levels. Some people live today, as victims of a stalking which has lasted for over a decade. The court will not help because the victim can’t produce evidence that they are, “afraid for their life.”

The legal research was difficult, I did more than needed. I could’ve saved hours by realizing the legal system, in regards to stalking, is not that complicated. State Laws regarding the crime are simple and the sentencing is general. There was no “courtroom drama,” as I expected.