Debora Masterson Launches Debut Novel 'FREEDOM QUEST: A Love Story'

Masterson began her artistic career in dance and musical theater. Central to her novel is the character Michael, a fictionalized version of her first love, whom she met at 15. Their relationship unfolded amid the cultural upheaval of the 1970s, marked by the Vietnam War, the hippie movement, and the Free-Sex Movement.

Despite their intense romance, Masterson and Michael, whose real name was Craig Ingraham, lost touch. Masterson moved on to build a life and raise two sons, believing she would never see him again. However, three decades later, they reconnected. “We ran into each other again and realized the love affair was still strong on both sides,” she stated.

Ingraham was a prominent member of the band Freedom Quest but faced legal issues related to marijuana, leading to a tumultuous period that caused the band to break up. After losing touch with Masterson, he struggled with addiction and spent time in a religious cult before starting anew in Sausalito, California.

Masterson creatively changed character names to enhance authenticity in her narrative, reflecting on themes of innocence and guilt. Despite initially feeling uncertain about becoming an author, she found the compelling story deserved to be told. “I felt I had to write this book. The story was so good, someone had to write it.”

The writing process took five years, during which Masterson navigated her feelings regarding Ingraham’s decline into cult life. She conducted interviews with him and other cult members to bring depth to the story. “He said, 'I feel terrible about this, but I have to tell you about this period in my life,'” she recalled.

Masterson found Ingraham’s experiences distressing, especially how the cult leader manipulated him during his vulnerabilities. This emotional complexity made the writing process challenging and rewarding. After initially drafting the story in first person, she consulted an editor and shifted to a third-person narrative, extending her writing timeline by four months.

With her novel complete, Masterson envisions it as a potential limited series or feature film. She is also working on a second novel titled "Keeping Secrets."

As for her hopes for readers, Masterson expressed a desire for them to feel deeply connected to the story. “I hope they cry at some point, because I cried when I wrote the ending,” she said.

"FREEDOM QUEST: A Love Story" will be available for purchase starting April 21 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. An accompanying soundtrack featuring Freedom Quest’s songs is also available on streaming platforms.