Marybeth Whalen – She Makes It Look Easy

Good morning friends! Today, I have the privilege of introducing you to someone you probably already know. So, I guess it’s not really an introduction, but I’m so excited to share with you a bit about Marybeth Whalen and her new book, She Makes It Look Easy!

Marybeth encouraged me during a very decisive time in my life when I read her book, The Reason We Speak. I quickly sent her an email to thank her and to let her know she made a difference in this little southern, missionary, speaker girl’s life.

To my surprise, she graciously responded and encouraged me some more! I love a woman who shines for Jesus like that! And that’s why I’m excited to have her here in my little space in cyberspace!

Enjoy my interview with her and be sure to follow the links that will take you to one of your favorite online sites where you can purchase She Makes It Look Easy!

1. Marybeth, tell us a little bit about your writing journey.

I spun my wheels for awhile trying to get published in with nonfiction ideas. But my heart wasn’t in it and it must’ve shown. However I was too afraid to attempt writing fiction because I wanted to hang onto the dream a little longer. I didn’t want to know if I could do it or not. What if I couldn’t?? I finally got a little (big!) push from a trusted friend who listened to my dreams and didn’t let me hide behind that word “someday” anymore. She made me take the risk. I wrote the novel on my heart, which was The Mailbox. It’s all been a whirlwind since then… and I am glad I finally leapt over the edge of that fiction cliff.


2. How was She Makes It Look Easy birthed in your heart?

I had the idea for the novel as a result of several marriages of good, godly, seemingly together people falling apart. I wondered what had happened there and if it could’ve been prevented– either by the people directly involved or the people who were around them. Could things have been different? So I started messing around with this idea, and included the struggles I– and so many women– have with thinking other women are more together than they are. The novel came together from that.

3. What would you like readers to get from your new book, She Makes It Look Easy?

I want them to see themselves in both Justine and Ariel. I want them to see the importance of real, authentic friendships and transparency with each other– but also I would love for them to see the dangerous decisions we can make that can put us on a slippery slope. In writing the book I saw how easy it can be– and how devastating.

4. As a Christian, a wife, a mother of 6, an author and a speaker – what would be the one thing you would tell women everywhere if you had the chance?

Make the effort to have good, real friendships and to be a real friend. It’s so worthwhile to have other women around you for so many reasons. I treasure my friends so much. If you don’t have that right now, ask God to send those women into your life. And He will.

5. Where can we find your new book?

Proverbs 31 Ministries, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook.com… Most anywhere. If your local bookstore doesn’t have it, ask for it!

A Bit About Marybeth:

Marybeth Whalen and her husband Curt have been married for 20 years this year and are the parents of six children, ranging in age from college to kindergarten. They live outside Charlotte NC. Marybeth is the author of The Mailbox and her newest novel, She Makes It Look Easy. She spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She is always at work on her next novel. You can find her at www.marybethwhalen.com.

4 Comments

  1. Marybeth Whalen said…
    Thanks for this Stephanie! I tweeted about it!

  2. I have had the privledge of attending She Speaks,the Proverbs 31 conference and meeting Marybeth! She is everything she appears to be and more! Before I attended the conference I read “The Reason We Speak” and I have also read “The Mailbox”, which is a great book, by the way! Just this past weekend I bought the new book “She Makes It Look Easy” and know it will be great! Can you tell I'm a Marybeth fan!!! Thanks Steph, good interview!

  3. Marybeth,
    Thanks for popping in a tweeting about it! And thanks for the honor of being my guest today!

  4. Kelly,
    I was at She Speaks last year. Wish I could have met you then! I join you in the Marybeth fan club. I love her heart for Jesus and for others!

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