David and Kate Marshall are with us today to discuss their new gift book out for Valentine’s Day, What I Love About You. The fill-in-the-blank book prompts couples to share what is in their hearts, but may not always be at the tip of their tongues.
The Marshalls, married themselves for twenty-three years, will chat with us about how the book came to be, the moments that make us love the most important people in our lives, and how we can find new ways of communicating with each other.
We’ll also turn some of the book’s fill ins onto the Marshalls to find out their answers to questions like:
If we'd first met in a comic strip, the thought bubble over my head would have said...
I missed you when...
The best gift you ever gave me was…
I never tire of hearing you talk about…
Join us today for inspiration and practice saying all of the things you’d better say tomorrow!
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About the Authors
David Marshall and Kate Marshall are the best-selling authors of The Book of Myself, The Book of Us, and Words to Live By. The Marshalls have been happily married for twenty-three years and live in Moraga, California. Visit the Marshalls at: www.marshallbooks.net
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Comments: 32
Kate and David Marshall
Diana B. from FL is wondering what inspired you to write this book.
The book came about because I wanted to do a better job expressing my gratitude to the most important people in my life. Complaining is easy and sometimes feels more urgent, but ultimately there is nothing more important than saying "I love you," and nothing more rewarding. For me, writing what is in my heart is easier than saying it out loud. First I wrote each of my parents a heartfelt thank you letter at Thanksgiving.
Then I started thinking about David, my husband of 22 years. I started penning a journal for David, singing his praises and thanking him for enriching my life. We used this journal to make a template of fill-in prompts, short answers and checklists for others to do the same for their loved one. That became What I Love About You.
Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Janet.
David and I are happy that this morning the book was part of a Good Morning America segment on love. Good Morning America sent "love doctors" to rescue a couple on today's show. The kids had been sleeping in the marriage bed for years. After GMA counseled them on how to get alone time in bed, they recommended a few romance recovery tips.
The online article says "The "What I Love About You" book allows couples to spend their nights writing in this romance journal so they can get back to what they love most about each other and their family."
-Kate
I was just reading David and Kate's comment about writing a thank you letter. Letter writing is such a lost art. I always appreciate even a short card. It shows that someone put some thought into reaching out. Do you have any other small gestures that fall along the same line?
-Kate
The two of you sound like you have a really healthy relationship. I've seen your book at Borders, and plan to go back and buy it. As a newly single gal, I think What I Love About You is actually a really good assessment tool for a relationship. By that I mean, I looked through the pages of the book and started answering the questions for myself, envisioning the types of responses I'd like to get. Once I find someone who answers questions that way, I'll know I've got a keeper!
I hope you find that person who sees the very best in you. It is a wonderful feeling for your positive attributes to be recognized and appreciated. Nothing better! I like the Victor Hugo quote, "There is no greater gift than to be convinced that we are loved."
-Kate
Lisa R. from Reno, NV is wondering if this book is only for couples who have been together a long time or for people who have been dating for a short time as well.
Do couples ever fill out the books about eachother and then compare how they see themselves compared to how there lover sees them?
If we'd met in a comic strip, the thought bubble over my head would have said..."
You have been married twenty three years. How do you carve out quality "together" time? Do you have weekly date nights? Do you leave notes for each other? Do you have to remind each other that you need to reconnect?
Mary F. from OH is wondering if you have plans to publish other books like this? Have you collaborated on other projects previously?
The full journal is probably too much for people just starting to date, but is a terrific gift to someone you've known long enough to have lots of common experiences with and know well enough to be specific about personality, physical and relationship traits that you affect you in positive ways.
A lot of people look at it and say, "Oh, that's perfect for my niece who is getting married this summer." And it would be. We've given copies to couples as wedding gifts.
But it is also a wonderful way for couples who, for any number of reasons, could use a boost. Maybe you're so busy you don't find time for romance. Maybe the kids have left the nest and you want to reconnect with the love birds you used to be. Maybe you're just feeling in a romance rut and would welcome a new way to say "I love you."
-Kate
David and I actually have quite a bit of together time now, as we both work from home. I used to leave notes in his briefcase when he worked in an office. Now it's more likely to be a sticky note on the bathroom mirror, or the coffee machine, which is always his second stop in the morning.
-Kate
In the early 1990's my grandfather wrote and published his autobiography with lots of administrative assistance from my aunt. His friends were envious, because they wanted to tell their life stories too but didn't know how to start. So I suggested to Grandpa Carl that we write a do-it-yourself autobiography fill-in book that steps prospective memoirists through the process. It covered early, middle and later years and life themes such as family, friends, education, work and the world. I made a few mock-up copies and took them with me to New York City while I was on other business. I pitched them to a dozen editors at various houses, and Hyperion Books, the Disney adult trade imprint, picked it up in 1995. It was released in 1997 as The Book of Myself, and has become a solid backlist title, selling 250,000 copies over the last ten years. A revised edition just came out last month. I also have an online version of the book as a Gather Group.
Do you have a particular prompt that has special meaning for you? Were there a couple you debated putting in?
Congratulations, it sounds like you have already had lots of adventures together, with more to come. As a woman, I always love chocolate. But that's gone quickly. Ahem. We created What I Love About You because we really believe it is a great, lasting tribute to your love and your lover. You may not have time to fill it all out by tomorrow, but you can write what you can with a promise to finish. BTW, I've neard it said that this book is the best foreplay ever.
-Kate
-Kate
We thank you for joining us this afternoon and sharing your thoughts with us. And thank you to the community for their questions. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Kate and David Marshall
Kate and David Marshall