Debbie Schrack writes with a clear sense of purpose, shaped by a lifetime of teaching, observing, and listening to stories that often go unheard. As the author of Over the Fence, a young adult drama with strong elements of suspense, Schrack uses fiction not only as a form of storytelling but as a way to confront real-world trauma, resilience, and the power of human connection. Her work reflects a deep commitment to giving voice to young people navigating violence, loss, and recovery.
The inspiration for Over the Fence stems from a tragedy that deeply affected Schrack and her family. In 2010, while her daughter was a senior at the University of Virginia, one of her classmates was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The event left a lasting impression, heightening Schrack’s awareness of how vulnerable young women can be and how often their stories are marked by silence. That experience, combined with her long-standing interest in stories of missing children, eventually merged into a single narrative that would become Over the Fence.
The novel centers on two seventeen-year-old girls, Eve and Emma, whose lives have been shaped by violence in different ways. Eve was kidnapped as a child and has grown up under the control of a violent abuser, believing escape is impossible. Her young daughter becomes her emotional anchor and her reason to survive. Emma arrives in town after her sister is brutally injured by her boyfriend, an event that forces Emma to confront fear, anger, and helplessness. When the girls meet, their shared trauma becomes the foundation for an unexpected friendship, one that slowly helps them reclaim their sense of agency and hope.
Schrack’s writing process for Over the Fence unfolded during the pandemic, a period that allowed her the emotional space to explore darker themes than in her previous work, Saving Sophie. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, she intentionally weaved moments of hope throughout the story. Eve’s love for her daughter and Emma’s connection to music, creativity, and first love serve as reminders that joy can coexist with pain. Schrack describes herself as an editor as much as a writer, often revising as she goes, which contributes to a longer creative timeline. Still, the story flowed steadily, taking approximately three years from first draft to publication.
One significant challenge while writing Over the Fence was addressing mature themes within a young adult framework. Schrack was careful to portray abuse with sensitivity, relying on implication rather than graphic detail to respect both the characters and the readers. Writing from two alternating points of view also required precision, as she worked to ensure that Eve and Emma each maintained a distinct voice. Deep character development became the key to overcoming that challenge.
At its core, Over the Fence is a story about resilience, friendship, and survival. Schrack hopes readers walk away with a deeper understanding of domestic violence and the courage it takes to escape abusive situations. She also emphasizes the importance of accessible resources for those in need, encouraging awareness and compassion rather than judgment.
Schrack’s background as an educator has strongly influenced her work. Having spent years teaching teenagers with learning disabilities, she understands the emotional complexity of adolescence and the lasting impact adults can have when they choose to listen. Writing for young adults allows her to meet readers at a critical stage of self-discovery, offering stories that acknowledge hardship while still affirming the possibility of healing.
Looking ahead, Schrack continues to explore meaningful narratives. She currently has a middle-grade adventure fantasy on submission and is working on another young adult novel that centers on love, disability, and imagination. Through her writing, she remains committed to storytelling as a tool for empathy, empowerment, and change.