Megan Van Eyck Interview
Q: Thank you for this interview, Megan. Can you tell everyone what your book, ‘Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress’, is all about?
A: Thanks for having me. Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress is my true life account of a five year long extra-marital love affair that ended when my lover died from Amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder.
Just as much as this is a doomed from the start love story of two star-crossed lovers, it is a story of reconciliation between a husband and wife who survive the worst kind of betrayal and find love again. Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress is more than a story about adultery, it is a story about of love, passion, loss, self-discovery, and ultimately, redemption.
Just as much as this is a doomed from the start love story of two star-crossed lovers, it is a story of reconciliation between a husband and wife who survive the worst kind of betrayal and find love again. Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress is more than a story about adultery, it is a story about of love, passion, loss, self-discovery, and ultimately, redemption.
Q: If you have to describe yourself with one word, what would it be?
A: Resilient
Q: How long did it take you to write your book?
A: Two years! Can you believe it? I thought I’d get it done in a year, but I set standards for myself that went beyond my abilities. Consequently, I had a big learning curve. Taking the time to develop my skills as a story-teller was time well spent and Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress is better off for it.
Q: What is the main source of inspiration for your writing?
A: Love.
Love for Carlos and, ultimately, love for my husband.
Initially, the book was supposed to only be about my affair. But one day my husband found a chapter from my book and my infidelity an irrefutable fact. That discovery changed the course of my book and my life. Instead of being a memoir of adultery, it is also a story of a couple beating the odds and finding love again.
Q: Is there a place you go for inspiration to write?
A: I am most productive, and comfortable, while writing at my desk with my favorite playlist and a cup of fresh coffee.
Q: Are you reading anything right now?
A: I am reading a book called, Not Without Hope, by Michelle Sutton. It is a fictional story about a woman who has a six week long affair and what happens to her family once her secret is out. The big difference between this story and mine are that this it is a Christian title. But it is interesting to see how different people deal with infidelity. Best of all, it is also another story of a couple who not only survive infidelity, but grow stronger because of it.
Q: What is one food item that you can’t live without?
A: I have been trying to kick a vicious Diet Coke habit for the past three years. I love the snap of a dewy cold can first thing in the morning. I get thirsty just thinking about it!
Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing (hobbies, etc.)?
A: I love to travel, take pictures, bake, read, hang-out with my family.
Q: What advice would you give to those aspiring writers out there?
A: I think the most challenging thing is to define your audience-know who will want to buy your book. You can write a fantastic book-but not everyone will love it. The trick is to find those who can relate to any aspect of your story and do anything to garner their interest.
Q: What is next for you in 2011?
A: I hope to be very busy promoting Memoirs of a Widowed Mistress, spending time with my family and enjoying the happiness and peace I have worked so hard to find.
Q: How can your readers contact you?
A: If you visit www.widowedmistress.com you will find a sample chapter from my book and links to my e-mail, Twitter and FaceBook accounts. Hope to see you there!
Thank you very much for taking the time out to answer my interview questions!
Cheryl, it has been a pleasure and thank you so much for your support.
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| Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tour |
My Review:
Megan wasn't out looking to have an affair. She just happened to meet Carlos on a airplane and they hit it off. Nothing happened at first, but then they got in contact with one another later.
Yes, Megan was married to Willem, but their marriage wasn't exactly perfect. She wouldn't have sought what she did from Carlos if it had been. Willem didn't really seem like he wanted much to do with Megan. She needed someone to love her, and he just wasn't giving it to her. I am not saying that I think it is right to have an affair, because I am not. If you read this book though, you will see what Carlos and Megan had. He treated her like she should be treated, and it's really no wonder why she kept going back to him to get that. Actually, Megan's husband told her that whatever she is doing is great and to keep it up. She was happier than ever!
When you read this memoir you will find out what Megan's life was as a child. She didn't have an easy life, and I think her need for love really started back then. She tried to make things better at home when she was a child, but it didn't turn out the way that she had hoped it would.
When Carlos got sick, Megan really wanted to take care of him and get him the best care possible. Being as she was just his mistress, things could not go by what she wanted. It was all ultimately up to Carlos' wife Emma. That's part of being a mistress. Megan could be there for him when times were good, but when they got bad, she just kind of had to sit back and hope that his wife would take care of him and make all of the right decisions.
I really loved this book. It was so full of emotion and love. I really got mad at Carlos sometimes though. I thought he should just leave his wife and be with Megan. I think Megan and Carlos were really true loves. I don't think Megan should have any regrets about her life. She found out what it was like to truly be loved by a man, and I think it must have really helped her marriage to Willem in the end.
Favorite Quotes:
P.14
As I sat emotionally torn between wanting a harmless flirtation to redeem my waning vibrancy and a growing friendship to nourish something unshakably lonely and desperate at my core, it hit me that I was sitting alone, waiting to having a secret lunch with a married man at a restaurant that was about an hour's drive from either of our homes. In that instant, it occurred to me that he might have misunderstood my intentions.
P.70
There was no passion, no need, no longing, only habit. I felt trapped with a man who wanted me to stay with him out of principle instead of out of love. A loveless life was not something I planned to endure alone. I hoped my affair could either make my life bearable or perhaps change it altogether.
My Rating:
I liked how you added the interview before the review. It put a totally different twist on the story for me. I may borrow this one from you so that I can read it during Summer vacation!
ReplyDeleteCheryl-I am so happy to read that you loved the book! And you are totally right-the lessons I learned with Carlos did help my marriage-in the end, I think they are what saved it (that and the fact I am married to a wonderful and compassionate man).
ReplyDeleteGreat review and cool interview (thanks for the mention Megan!) I loved the book too. It was gut-wrenchingly honest and very well written. In fact, it made my 2011 favorites list as well! I couldn't stop reading and my emotions were all over the place. That is a great book!
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