The Accidental Proposal
By Matt Dunn - March 1, 2011
I wrote The Accidental Proposal in an attempt to explain why proposing is such a big deal for us men – possibly the biggest deal – and also, I wanted to explore how it might feel to have the tables turned, and to investigate all the insecurities and issues that might go with that.
One of my best friends was actually proposed to – his girlfriend used the less-than-romantic 'it's time' – and perhaps not surprisingly, you could tell he felt extremely awkward about admitting she'd done it. He also felt she'd denied him one of the major life experiences, and I wanted to write about that, and what that might mean to us.
I'm also aware that my friends have generally had very different reasons for proposing, or they've each proposed under very different circumstances, and that getting down on one knee is actually a crunch time for any relationship – particularly if you're not sure (and who ever is?) that she's going to say 'yes'. I also wanted to write about the change a relationship goes through when you move from boyfriend and girlfriend to being engaged, and, of course, how you feel as the big day approaches.
The book's also about infidelity – I try to make all my books 'about' something, and that was interesting to write about, particularly because Edward and Dan have such differing viewpoints.
Weddings are quite funny anyway, if you think about them, and I knew I could have a lot of fun with the run-up to Ed and Sam's – especially with the stag night.
On a personal note, it's the third time I've written about these characters, and it'll (probably) be the last, so I wanted to give Ed, Sam, and Dan a fitting send-off before leaving them to get on with their lives!
One of my best friends was actually proposed to – his girlfriend used the less-than-romantic 'it's time' – and perhaps not surprisingly, you could tell he felt extremely awkward about admitting she'd done it. He also felt she'd denied him one of the major life experiences, and I wanted to write about that, and what that might mean to us.
I'm also aware that my friends have generally had very different reasons for proposing, or they've each proposed under very different circumstances, and that getting down on one knee is actually a crunch time for any relationship – particularly if you're not sure (and who ever is?) that she's going to say 'yes'. I also wanted to write about the change a relationship goes through when you move from boyfriend and girlfriend to being engaged, and, of course, how you feel as the big day approaches.
The book's also about infidelity – I try to make all my books 'about' something, and that was interesting to write about, particularly because Edward and Dan have such differing viewpoints.
Weddings are quite funny anyway, if you think about them, and I knew I could have a lot of fun with the run-up to Ed and Sam's – especially with the stag night.
On a personal note, it's the third time I've written about these characters, and it'll (probably) be the last, so I wanted to give Ed, Sam, and Dan a fitting send-off before leaving them to get on with their lives!
