I’ve always been fascinated with relationships and often wondered why I was attracted to certain people, especially the ones who “pulled” me the most.

Mary Dunlop – 4 January 2015

The Back Flap

When Betsey Townsend was ten years old, her grandmother, a passionate mystic, left a lasting impression on her. She explained to Betsey that everyone is born with a soul mate—a Twin Soul—and that Betsey’s Twin kissed her soul right before she was born, promising he would find her one day.

Now, Betsey is thirty-four, single, without children, and unemployed. Feeling empty and alone, she reestablishes a past friendship that puts her on the road to remembering the magic and wisdom of her grandmother’s words.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Power of Twin Soul Love is a short fiction romance, exploring the theory of twin souls (soul mates) and the reality of true love. In his Symposium, the Greek philosopher, Plato, speaks of an allegory relating to the origin of the sexes — that, at one time, males and females were united in a single soul. The Power of Twin Soul Love, through its fictionalized story, offers an evolved version of Plato’s theory.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing this book in 2011.

How long did it take you to write it?

Albeit the fact of it being a short fiction novel, it took me almost three years to find the right words.

Where did you get the idea from?

I got the idea from my own attractions, relationships, and life. I’ve always been fascinated with relationships and often wondered why I was attracted to certain people, especially the ones  who “pulled” me the most.  Even as a youngster I felt there was something to the soul mate theory .

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Actually, no. Despite the fact that I took my time to find the right words, this story pretty much wrote itself.

What came easily?

The dialogues came very easily.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I borrowed a lot from myself.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Oh yes!  J.D. Salinger–for the way he expressed emotion. He was the first author who really made me feel something through his words.  Maeve Binchy–for the atmosphere she created. And Anne Morrow Lindbergh–for her soulful, lyrical writing.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone who is interested in knowing about soul mates, spiritual energy, attractions, and true love.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I always meditate before settling in to write.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

No.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I edit as I go along and then edit like crazy after I’ve finished.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I did have a professional editor, too.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No, when I write, I need complete silence.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I opted to go with the indie publisher because of the length of the book. I wanted it published as a novella, which is difficult to do through a traditional publisher.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My book cover was beautifully designed by my team at CreateSpace.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I’m spreading the word about my book mainly through social media.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Confidence helps a lot! It’s really difficult to do the marketing if you don’t have a healthy amount of confidence in your book. Do your “legwork”. Get opinions about your writing. Seek constructive criticism. And, like Dean Koontz said in his interview on Belief.net, ” If you suffer from serious self-doubt at the keyboard, as I do, that doubt doesn’t have to grow into writer’s block. Use the doubt, turn it into a positive. The way I’ve done that is to revise and polish one page–ten times, twenty times, whatever–until I am unable to make it flow more smoothly or invest it with more tension. Only then do I move on to the next page. Of course, the doubt returns page by page, but after a while, I have a stack of pages about which my doubts have been allayed, and I can move forward with increasing confidence. ”

About You

Where did you grow up?

Near Montreal in Quebec, Canada.

Where do you live now?

In Montreal.

What would you like readers to know about you?

That I’ve also contributed to Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself and that I love to write about life and what it’s taught me.

What are you working on now?

My next novella…

End of Interview:

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Get your copy of The Power of Twin Soul Love from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).