Authors Interviewing Characters: Jennifer van der Kleut
THE BETTER MOTHER
“A slick, modern psychological thriller that digs into the dark side of motherhood, obsession, and the illusion of control.” – Teresa Brock, BestThrillerBooks.com
In The Better Mother we meet Savannah Mitchell, 34, a year after coming out of a devastating breakup that completely unraveled her. She meets a handsome stranger, Max, at a bar and decides to put herself out there again. They spend a few weeks together and then fizzle out, and one month later, she finds out she’s pregnant. When she gets in touch to tell Max, he reveals he’s just gotten back together with his ex, Madison—and that Madison thinks they should meet so the three of them can be on good terms and form a friendly co-parenting arrangement together. Something doesn’t feel right to Savannah—when they meet, Madison seems nice, but Savannah definitely picks up hints of something concerning.
***Jennifer van der Kleut interviews Savannah, Max, and Madison, shortly after the three of them meet for the first time***
Jennifer: “Thank you all for agreeing to meet with me. I have to say, when I heard about your…situation, with the three of you…I was immediately intrigued. I’m not sure I would be comfortable meeting the other woman in these circumstances.”
Madison: “Of course, you’re very welcome. I know our arrangement is a bit unconventional, but Max and I are thrilled that we’re…that he…is going to be a parent. Max is a wonderful man, and I know he will make an amazing father.”
Jennifer: “Max—how long have you and Madison been together?”
Max: “Uh, well…we first got together about five years ago, but we were apart for—”
Madison: “We’ve been together for almost six years now.”
Jennifer: “I see. But Max—you were apart for a while when you and Savannah met?”
Madison: “We did spend some time apart earlier this year, but that was a mistake. Just a silly blip. We’re back together now, and stronger than ever.”
Max: “Um…yeah. That’s right.”
Jennifer: “Uh, thank you…Madison.”
Madison: “And now that we’re back together, I’m looking forward to helping Max raise this baby. I vow to be the best stepmother I can be.”
Jennifer: “…right. Great. Now, Savannah—”
Madison: “I mean, the most important thing is for a child to feel safe, and secure, and loved…and to have two parents that can give them anything they need. That will definitely be Max and I—together.”
Savannah: “…and me, of course. As the baby’s mother.”
Jennifer: “Yes, Savannah. Tell us a little bit about yourself.”
Savannah: “Well, I’m 34. I live alone here in the city, in the Mission District. I’m a marketing associate at the Blackwell Agency, which I love. My specialty is social media content and integrating social campaigns together with organic press and advertising. And I have friends and family in the area—Ellie, my best friend since college, also lives here in the city, and my mother lives in Pleasanton, in the East Bay. I visit her a lot.”
Jennifer: “That’s lovely. So you have a great support system around you.”
Savannah: “Yes, Mom and Ellie are the best, and they’re looking forward to helping me with the baby. My mom, especially, is thrilled to have her first grandchild on the way.”
Jennifer: “So it sounds like you’re looking forward to being a mother.”
Savannah: “Yes…I am. This was definitely unexpected, and not how I ever imagined I would become a mother, but I’m looking forward to meeting my child. I’m determined to do the best job I can, raising him or her.”
Madison: “Isn’t she just so brave? I mean, she’s in her mid-thirties, and single, with her whole life ahead of her, and then she’s unwittingly thrust into pregnancy—and without a partner! Like you said—it’s not something you planned or wanted. I can understand how you must be terrified, but don’t worry, Savannah—Max and I are here to help. We’re happy to take care of the baby and make sure he or she has everything it needs. We’ll give him or her a wonderful life.”
Savannah: “We all will, Madison. I may be nervous, sure, but I’m excited to be this baby’s mother.”
Madison: “I just can’t wait…the baby is due November eighth, so it will be here in time for the holidays. Can’t you just imagine? Adorable little Christmas outfits, the first pictures on Santa’s lap…oh, it’s going to be such a joy!”
Savannah: “Yes, my mother can’t wait to get to spend our first Christmas with the baby this year.”
Madison: “Well, I mean…we’ll see. We’ll have to have a talk and figure out a schedule that we’re happy with.”
[Silence]
Max: “I’m sure we can figure out a good arrangement. We’re all excited, and we’re all going to love this baby so much, no matter what. It’s going to be one lucky child.”
Jennifer: “Well…it certainly sounds like you all have some things to figure out. But the baby is very lucky to already have three people in its life that are excited to shower it with love. I wish all three of you the best.”
Jennifer van der Kleut (née McBride) is an award-winning former journalist of both print and digital publications, including the DC affiliate of ABC7 News. A graduate of San Jose State University, she spent most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC, where she currently lives with her husband and two sons. The Better Mother is her debut novel. When she’s not writing, Jennifer loves going to the beach with her family, going to concerts with her girlfriends, and getting lost in the pages of a book.
Website: www.jennifervanderkleut.com
Instagram: @jennvdk
Facebook: Jennifer van der Kleut, Author
TikTok: @JennVDK.author.com
Category: Interviews, On Writing
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