JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Shampriest Bevel, author of Today I Marry My Best Friend: Myself
(Pulse Publishing)
Today I Marry My Best Friend: Myself, focuses on single women living in a world with limited good men and unlimited drama. These women are tirelessly dating men in hopes of marriage. Each woman’s story has its own twisted journey, but the ending will be familiar to them all. The characters are all waiting for proposals of marriage which, after many wasted years, will never be heard. They are all in relationships with the type of men who prove not to be ready for marriage.
Talia Sands, who is the most ready for marriage, is left broken-hearted after five years by a man who she accidentally learns is having an affair with the neighborhood trick. This becomes a turning point for Talia. Talia decides not to allow a nugatory man destroy her dreams of marriage. She decides to marry herself as a symbol of self-commitment and self-love.
Today I Marry My Best Friend: Myself tells the story of how a woman can stop tirelessly and painfully waiting for a man to ask for her hand in marriage. Talia takes control of her life by getting her middle finger sized, purchasing her own wedding ring and marrying herself.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Today I Marry My Best Friend: Myself?
Shampriest Bevel: I have been a part of one too many pity parties. I would get together with my girlfriends to talk about one thing and then the conversation topic would always end up being about men. We would talk about how we were all waiting for marriage. Everyone seemed confused about why they were all still single.
We would list all of our “top” qualities and sit around in confusion. I realized we spent too much time sulking about the waiting game. I figured out that men more than likely didn’t sit around doing the same thing. I felt like the energy we put into sobbing on possibly never becoming brides could be better invested elsewhere.
I couldn’t help but wonder about women, who may never marry a man. I didn’t want women to think their life was over if they never married. I wanted to give women something to aspire to, even before getting involved in a relationship. I believe the reason why some women are left so heart-broken and disappointed is because they haven’t defined a deep love for themselves. I wanted women to consider marrying themselves by taking an independent vow of self-love and commitment.
JP: What sets Today I Marry My Best Friend: Myself apart from other books in the same genre?
SB: In my book, I don’t focus on one character. Most books in women’s fiction tell the story of one character. I wanted my book to speak to different women who have been through different situations. If I would have just focused on one character, too many of my readers would have missed the message. There’s a character that every reader is, knows or has met.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Today I Marry My Best Friend: Myself getting out to the public?
SB: This is my first published book, so I’m still learning about the keys to success. I make marketing part of my every day. A lot of my day is spent on Twitter, planning a book launch, contacting the media, adding to existing blogs, researching and communicating with my publisher.
I have poured my whole heart into this project. In order to be successful, this book has to be an intricate part of my life. As much work as I put into writing it, is as much work that I will put into the sales of the book. It’s just like a wedding. People spend more time planning their wedding than they do their lives after the wedding day.
I have a lot of plans for the days before and after the publish date. Keys to the success are social networking, meeting readers and writers, blogging, and media exposure. People can’t purchase something they don’t know about. I’m currently working on linking my book with the bridal industry.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Today I Marry My Best Friend: Myself?
SB: I’ve written three books, so far, and my writing process is exactly the same. I get inspired to write out of the blue. I don’t choose when to start a new book. The theme of the book comes to me, and I begin writing. I don’t use an outline or storyboard. I write freely and straight from the heart.
When I write, I never know what’s going to happen next. I’m as excited and surprised as my readers, when I’m writing. It took me about two years to finish the book. It’s challenging to focus on writing when you still have a full-time profession, but it’s possible.
JP: What’s next for Shampriest Bevel?
SB: I ask that question in my prayers every night. I hope EVERYTHING is next for me. I want whatever is meant for me. I hope I bring “being talented” back in style.
http://pulsepub.net/Shampriest_Bevel.html
I’d like to remind people that being single is a relationship status and not a relationship flaw.
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