Welcome Mat Wednesday: Bethany Jett

Guess what…Sometimes I totally read and promote nonfiction! Who knew, right? (Yes, we can get a little fiction heavy around here.)

Well, today’s guest is nonfiction author Bethany Jett. She’s repped by Amanda Luedeke (also my agent) which makes her automatically cool in my book.

And she’s written a book called The Cinderella Rule for teen and young adult women. Whether or not you actually fall into that category, we probably all know someone who does fit her intended audience. So I was very happy to get to help promote the book! Enjoy the Q&A and be sure to check out Bethany’s book!

1) First of all, what inspired you to write this book?

I’m tired of watching girls chase boys and suffer heartbreak. I’ve been a youth sponsor for over 12 years, and a youth minister’s wife for eight of those! I started a blog with Dating Do’s and Don’ts so that my girls could get access to the answers or advice 24/7.

I think that society has manipulated girls into thinking that being a strong, independent woman means being the initiator and pursuer in dating relationships, where I think it’s the opposite. Being a strong independent woman means letting the guy do the chasing, while she pursues her talents, dreams, and goals. She’s the treasure, she’s the prize, and the guy should have to work to get her.


2) LOVE the title. How’d you come up with it?


The credit goes to my amazing agent, Amanda Luedeke. The first sentence of the book is “Cinderella got it right.” After her midnight dance with Prince Charming at the ball, she left without exchanging phone numbers, addresses, twitter handles, and Facebook pages. I love how she let Prince Charming go after her instead of pursuing him. Amanda took that and suggested The Cinderella Rule and it was a hit!!


3) A huge chunk of the readers of this blog are writers, too, and it’s always fun hearing other authors’ publication stories. So can you share a little with us about your publication journey?

It happened really fast! I took a proposal to a writing conference, where I was able to have it critiqued by two fabulous editors, and I was able to sit down with agents, editors, and magazine representatives and pitch my book. I left with two editors interested, one who said I wasn’t quite ready, and two agents interested. The editor who said no changed his mind and I signed a contract with my fantastic agent!

Writing the book took about three months and it was a lot of work, but it’s been an amazingly quick journey—I attended the writing conference in March of 2012 and the book released April 30, 2013!

4) What do you hope readers take away from your book?

I want girls to know how precious they are. God thinks the world of His girls, and He’s put safeguards in place to protect us. Dating doesn’t have to be hard, we just have to be smart about how much access we give, and be particular about who we give that access to.

Being pursued is fun, and what girl doesn’t want to enjoy the chase and experience a real-life love story like we see in movies? I think every girl deserves a happily-ever-after.

5) Just for fun, do you have any funny writing quirks or habits?

My husband said I snacked a lot when I was writing the book, which I didn’t realize that I was doing! He didn’t tell me until after the book was done. I think he liked all the food, too! Ha!

I actually can’t write in a Starbucks- or Panera-type setting. It’s too distracting, but I can have music or a show on my iPad running. Somehow I can tune that out if I need, to. Part of my ritual does include checking email and Facebook before I start writing, and that keeps me from constantly going back and checking out. “Do it first, get it out of my system” kind of thing!

*****
With five years of “youth sponsor interning” under her belt by the age of 21, Bethany Jett knew God’s purpose involved working with teenagers. She taught abstinence education (RESPECT) in high school, and began youth sponsoring at 17. Her dating book, The Cinderella Rule: a young woman’s guide to happily ever after, is available online and in bookstores.
       
Bethany speaks to teens on a weekly basis and has been the guest speaker at various women’s events. She recently won the Florida Christian Writers’ Conference 2012 Writer of the Year Award and has articles and movie reviews published with award-winning magazines. She is a featured columnist with Choose NOW Ministries, writing the On Friendship and On Dating columns.

She is her husband’s greatest asset in their youth ministry, working specifically with 6th-12th grade girls and mentoring them after graduation. Bethany is a writer, speaker, Bible study leader, cheerleading coach, student, and mother of three adorable little boys. Connect with Bethany at www.BethanyJett.com.
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    Comments 26

    1. This book looks really really good! I love the cover, the title, and the message! I will definitely be adding this to my to-read list! Thanks for sharing!

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    3. Hey Bethany! Great book. I worked in the abstinence program for over 8 years and it was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done…other than writing. So excited to see you here. (Your mom and I are critique partners!)

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      3. Patricia – I think that’s great! The abstinence program I worked in was called ENABL, but I think it’s turned into the RESPECT program. (and I love that you know my mom!)

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    4. I used to work with jr. highers and loved that age group — now I have kids that age:) This book looks amazing for my preteen daughter! Thanks for sharing, Melissa and great to meet you, Bethany!

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    5. Love the idea behind this book. I too used to be a youth sponsor and it always made me shake my head at their interaction with boys. But you know what? I know I was that way as a teen too, and so wish I’d had something like this book to read!

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    6. Thanks, Melissa, for introducing us to Bethany! What a great resource for our young girls from someone who has been in the trenches with them. Your love for young girls and commitment to help them navigate through murky dating waters provides much-needed guidance. You said it perfectly: “God thinks the world of His girls.” YES.

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    8. Bethany left out a couple of details about her writing journey: that was her very first writers conference AND she received the conference’s Writer of the Year Award! (Oh, yes, I’m her very proud mom!)

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