My own sorority was nothing like Sigma Theta Kappa, thank goodness! I chose recruitment week as a novel setting because it packs tons of potential for conflict within a short period of time. But a book about a girl who pledges a house where she has a great experience and makes lots of friends wouldn’t be a very fun read. So I dialed up the drama and dreamed up a place where many of the young women have forgotten the true meaning of sisterhood.
Every campus and sorority does recruitment differently. For Sigma, I created routines and rituals to amplify conflict. It’s not the way my house did it. Any resemblance to how other houses do it is a coincidence. And amid all the drama, I hope the real message of Rush shines through – that recruitment may not be perfect, but the rewards can be wonderful. Sororities aren’t for everyone, but they can be a great way to forge bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.