Secrets About Guys (that shouldn’t be secret) was born out of  enthusiastic response from girls – and guys – to an article, “8 Secrets About Guys (that shouldn’t be secret,”  which Grace submitted in January, 2001, to BRIO, a Focus on the Family publication for teen girls.  It was first posted on their website in May, 2002.  The volume of feedback they received revealed it “struck a chord” so they decided to publish it in their May, 2003, issues of BRIO and BRIO & BEYOND and also requested a follow-up piece detailing more secrets about guys (see Articles) for their August, 2003 issues.  Grace describes what happened next.

“I call BRIO’s editor, Susie Shellenberger, God’s angel to me.  For a couple of years, I had been thinking about writing a book on the topic.  One morning I prayed very specifically, asking the Lord to confirm if this idea was really from Him.  That afternoon I received an email from Susie saying they were receiving a lot of positive Feedback  on 
“8 Secrets About Guys.” 

“She encouraged me to consider expanding the points in my first and follow-up articles and turning them into a manuscript.  Along with her message, Susie included a dozen of the emails they had received from readers responding to the first article.  Half of them were from guys who expressed relief and gratitude that this info was getting out!”

Q.    What motivated Grace to write about guys in the first place?    

A.     “Throughout the years of raising our three sons, I couldn’t help but notice how girls related to them and their friends.  I also heard and saw various guys’ reactions to girls and realized girls were making mistakes, sabotaging potential friendships with them.  Remembering all too well my own teen years, I felt girls deserved to know what trips them up when interacting with guys.  I wanted to give them tips which I wish someone had taught me!

“When my sons became teens, they began bragging to their friends about my cooking.  This resulted in girls approaching me for cooking lessons!  I began mentoring a small group.  Each time we met, I gave an abbreviated lesson on homemaking and then shared tips on food preparation.  By far their favorite session was one in which I gave them inside tips about how and what guys really think.  Because of their enthusiasm, I suspected other girls would be interested too.  And that prompted my articles for BRIO!"