Goodreads asked Sinead MacDughlas:

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Sinead MacDughlas That's a complicated answer. Parting Burden began as an exercise to get through a bit of writer's block. I was writing Learn To Love Me at the time, and struggling, so I took a break from the novel to write a character-driven short for a charity anthology. The theme of the anthology was endings, and new beginnings, and I certainly had plenty of experience with those! It really began with a bus ride, one I'd taken myself at the end of a relationship, and the emotions I'd worked through on that over-long trip.
Unfortunately the original anthology fell through, but another anthology opportunity opened up. I reworked Parting Burden and it was picked up, but I wasn't happy with the story as a short. I felt that Melissa, the main character, had more to offer, more story to tell.
When I'd finished Learn To Love Me and Best Served Bloody, I started plotting the rest of The Secret Connection Collection, but Parting Burden kept coming back to me. It wouldn't let me focus on any of my other plots. Finally, I realized that it was always meant to be a part of the collection, and I went back to work on it. With very little effort, the story slid into place.

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