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Monday, May 05, 2008

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not





As soon as I saw the title for Trish Ryan's new book, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope and Happily Ever After, I knew this was a book I had to read! I quickly emailed her and begged her to let me review it here on my blog and do a giveaway. I was thrilled when she agreed to do it! This book was so, so good. I didn't just read it-- I devoured it. I couldn't put it down. I love reading memoirs. (Perhaps because I am nosy, but then that just sounds negative.) And this memoir certainly didn't disappoint. Trish's journey through New Age philosophies and searching for God in all the wrong places is written in such a way that you can't wait to see what happens next. Her life has taken many twists and turns-- and yet, God clearly had His hand on her the whole time.
I would especially recommend reading this book if you know someone who is into different schools of thought or is "exploring alternatives" to God. Trish's writing offers great insight into what people that search for God through other alternatives might really be thinking and feeling. She puts a human, real face on who these people are that believe in crystals and feng shui and horoscopes. And she made me realize that they are a lot like me-- wanting to be loved, wanting to connect with others, and wanting something more out of life. I felt like this book equipped me to better love those people and to have compassion for them instead of criticizing them for what I tend to dismiss as just crazy beliefs. I know that God wants us to love them and reach out to them. And I see what happened to Trish when people began to do just that.
Check out her book-- I think you will love it as much as I did!
And now, here is her interview-- you can see what a delight she is and get to know her a bit. If you would like to try to win the book, please leave me a comment. I will draw a winner on Mother's Day.
Hi Trish, thanks for joining us! How long have you been writing? Do you speak as well?

I’ve loved writing since high school, when I realized that an A in English could balance out an algebra grade that came from a different part of the alphabet. I always hoped writing would be part of whatever profession I landed in, but I never thought I’d get to write books for a living—it’s such an incredible honor, and such fun. I’ve had so many other jobs where I was just putting in time, and this is entirely different.

My speaking career started in high school also (sort of a formative time for me, now that I think of it!) I love connecting with an audience—seeing the reaction in real time. It’s a great counterpart to all the solitude of writing.

How do balance your relationship with your husband and your passion for writing (and speaking)?

We’re still on the front end of figuring that out! When we were first married, we heard a wise piece of advice about prioritizing: put God first, then your spouse, then your family. Work comes after that, because you need to support all those people you love! And then your service to the church or community. It’s tough sometimes when I’m on a deadline or our schedule gets hectic, but it really helps to have a pre-made decision about putting our relationship ahead of all the other things competing for our attention.

What advice would you give a writer who is seeking publication?

Read widely.
Seek wise counsel and listen to what trusted people tell you—especially if it’s not flattering.
Ask God how you should move forward. I wrote for months and never submitted anything to anyone because I couldn’t get a clear sense when I prayed about whom to send it to. There were thousands of agents, and I needed help to figure out where to start.

How did this book come about? How did you choose the memoir format (which totally works for this!) versus a standard women's trade nonfiction book?

I wanted to share my experience of finding faith without the suggestion that I was an “expert,” or that there was any pressure on readers to come to similar conclusions. I hadn’t seen a story like mine when I was combing bookstores for spiritual options, and this seemed the best format to describe the unique path I took to happily ever after.

What project are you working on currently?

My next book picks up where HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT leaves off, describing how our happily ever after has gone so far—both in terms of figuring out what it means to be a wife, and what it looks like for us to follow Jesus here in New England, where that’s not a very common thing.

Thanks, Marybeth for having me!!!
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43 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW! Sounds really interesting! And I like memoirs, too, Marybeth!

Prayers and Blessings!
Rebecca

julie said...

so need this book....19 yrs and counting
3beez at bellsouth dot net

Supermom said...

This sounds like such a great book!!! Would love to read it!

sdking1981@yahoo.com

windycindy said...

Happy Monday! I really enjoyed your interview with this author. I like learning more about the person behind a book. The book sounds like my life!
I am still on a faith journey and read various topics like Eastern beliefs, Buddhism, etc. Most likely, I could benefit a lot from reading her book. Thanks very much.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

misty said...

I would love to have this book.

mistchlo@hughes.net

Michelle T said...

Sounds like a great read. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book... I would love to read it!

ticole96(at)msn(dot)com

Bree said...

This book looks great! I'd love to read it!

Jennifer said...

Sounds good to me! Thanks for hosting another giveaway!

Jennifer

mrssmiff said...

I almost bought this book in Borders the ther day...it looks good!

Kristie said...

Sounds like a great book-I'd love the chance to read it!

megret7 said...

I had no idea she'd written a book! I would adore reading it! Thanks! meg.wilson@gmail.com

maeflower said...

Sounds interesting!!!

Kim said...

I would love to add this book to my summer reading list!

Momnerd said...

This book sounds great!! I love to read, and I love to laugh!
sharlacarbine at gmail dot com

Mary512 said...

Great giveaway, thanks!

Celly B said...

I really enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

fortyb4forty said...

This book sounds great.

Unknown said...

This sounds like the catalyst that I need to help address the new age/Sylvia Brown influence on my Aunt and Mother.

Would love to read more.

Thanks for providing us with the interview!

Kelley said...

Thanks for doing the interview Marybeth. This looks like an awesome book! If I don't win a copy I will have to pick one up at the bookstore. Very timely stuff!!

Take care!!

Anonymous said...

What a great interview!

Looks like something that I would enjoy reading.

staceyrothrock at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great read! I just found you from another blogger - I can't remember now -oops. Thank You.

SD said...

First time to visit your blog. So glad I did. I enjoyed reading the interview. I have been examining what I believe, how it relates to other beliefs, and what is really true and real. It can be confusing. Thanks for taking the time and energy to post this.

frugallm said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to read it. I just found you from Prizey, but your blog looks amazing and I will be exploring!

Ericka said...

wonderful blog! This is a book I must read!! :)

GOD'S LADIE said...

I think this book would be great for me! I also went through a period of time dabbling with New Age philosophies and Astrology before my precious Saviour found me. Thank GOD he kept his hand upon me. My best friend is currently into the new age philosophies as well and I am praying that JESUS saves her as well. This would be a great gift for her as well.

megan said...

I think this is my life story. I would love to read this!

GrammaGrits said...

Wow! Sounds like a great book to read and share with others.

Ginny said...

Great interview, looks good!

Unknown said...

Id love to read this one!
dansan826 at yahoo.com

MaryLu said...

Ooo! That looks like a good book!
Gotta get it!

Unknown said...

Sounds great! Sign me up! :) God bless you both.

ariane said...

i love reading books! hope i'll win! pls count me in!

Christine said...

I love memoirs too...a genre I've gotten into recently. Sign me up! Love the interview too...

Bebemiqui said...

Great giveway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jennifer Bogart said...

I was saved from out of the occult a couple of years ago :), I actually just posted my testimony on my blog a few days ago! Sounds like a very good read!

noreen said...

I would love to read this book and then pass it on to a family member who needs this book

Karin said...

Sounds interesting. Please enter me--thank you.

Sandy said...

This sounds like a fascinating read. Thanks for sharing the book and its author with us.

Kelly said...

I would love to read this book, thanks so much!
Kelly

mom2boys said...

Sounds like a great book. I'd love to
have a copy of my own to read. Thanks for the giveaway!

cceeyore said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I would love/ I NEED to read this book!

Doreen said...

Great blog, would love to read this book!