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Eva Marie Everson | The True Story Behind FIVE BRIDES
June 12, 2015
Writers hear it all the time—“I have a story you should hear! Because when you hear it,
you’ll want to write a book about it.” And, like most authors I know, I listen. I nod. I
smile expectantly. And then I say something like, “Well, I’ll keep that in mind.”
But when a friend brought me the story behind FIVE BRIDES, my response was a certain, “I have to have that
story!” For the next two years, I pursued the real-life Joan Hunt Zimmerman, wanting
nothing more to sit down with her and talk about what would inspire five near-strangers to
purchase a wedding dress together. But, Joan, in her 80s, goes non-stop as the co-founder
and continued face of Southern Shows. She is also one of the most recognized faces in
Southern commerce. So, zeroing in on a time to chat was difficult at best.
But finally the day came. Joan and I met at a Charlotte, North Carolina Panera Bread where
she supplied me with photos of “the dress” as well as the amazing story behind it.
Was there anything, I wondered, that this woman hadn’t accomplished? Any road she had not
dared to travel down? With Joan, I soon learned, the sky really wasn’t the limit.
Joan Hunt, at 19, had been brave enough to leave war-torn England with only $30 in her
pocket for Chicago, Illinois where she went to work and met four other single women. The
five rented an apartment together (“Underground,” Joan said. “With a Lavern and Shirley
window so that when the drapes were pulled we watched feet go by all day.”), but rarely saw
one another. Until one Saturday when—by chance—they were all home. They decided to go into
the city to catch a matinee and then, afterward, they walked along until they came to the
iconic Carson, Pirie, Scott, & Co. There, in the showcase window, stood a mannequin dressed
in one of the most coveted dresses of the era—a Carson’s wedding gown. On a dare, the five
went inside and tried it on … only to purchase it together. Shortly thereafter, they each
went their separate ways.
Yet, all five wore the dress … Joan being the fourth.
After diligent research I discovered that the other women had passed away. Therefore Joan
Hunt Zimmerman—who began Southern Shows with her husband Robert in 1956—could only tell me
her story. And so I took a true story and created a fiction one around it. I immersed
myself in the era, listening to radio shows of the day, watching movies filmed in the early
50s, and digging through archives of 1950s fashion magazines. When I sent the final draft
to Joan for her approval, her response came back a few days later: “It’s as if you were
there,” she wrote. “What fun it was to live it again!”
I believe FIVE
BRIDES will be as much fun for my readers, too. And I wonder if they will ask
themselves the same question I asked myself, “Would I buy the most important dress of my
life with four near-strangers?”
Would you?
GIVEAWAY
Readers, would you buy the most important dress of your life with four near-strangers?
Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win one of five copies of FIVE BRIDES!
Eva Marie Everson is an award-winning speaker and author. She teaches writing on both the
conference and academic levels. She and her husband make their home in Casselberry,
Florida.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
One dress, five women, a lifetime of memories.
Five single, fiercely independent women live together in a Chicago apartment in the early
1950s but rarely see one another. One Saturday afternoon, as they are serendipitously
together downtown, they spy a wedding dress in a storefront window at the famous Carson,
Pirie, Scott & Co.
After trying it on—much to the dismay of the salesclerk and without a single boyfriend or
date between the five of them—they decide to pool their money to purchase it. Can one dress
forever connect five women who live together only a short time before taking their own
journeys to love and whatever comes happily ever after?
Comments
36 comments posted.
Re: Eva Marie Everson | The True Story Behind FIVE BRIDES
This is a fascinating story. I don't think I could buy
anything with four near-strangers, let alone a wedding
dress! I don't think I'd be trusting enough. I'm looking
forward to seeing how it worked out in the book, though.
(Pam Kellogg 7:49pm June 11, 2015)
Dont think I could.
(Marissa Yip-Young 6:07am June 12, 2015)
Yes, I think I could buy a dress with four strangers. I'm very
frugal and I would be practical about it. For sentimental
reasons I might have a harder time with who ended up keeping
the dress.
(Jennifer Ingman 8:18am June 12, 2015)
I would love the adventure of buying a dress with four strangers and following through on the plan. I can't wait to read this book of others who would do the same. And I would love to meet the Zimmerman lady who inspired you, Eva.
(Jennifer Odom 10:17am June 12, 2015)
I don't buy many new clothes anymore, but I sure would like to read the book.
(Wilma Frana 11:19am June 12, 2015)
I am not sure I would. What an interesting idea for a book.
(Leona Olson 11:21am June 12, 2015)
This would be an adventure and I would buy a dress with four
strangers since needs must and circumstances were different.
Thanks for this fascinating feature.
(Sharon Berger 12:04pm June 12, 2015)
Sounds like a great story - and I would love to read it. Win or lose this contest, I'll have to get the book to read. Thanks for the chance to win.
(Nancy Reynolds 1:47pm June 12, 2015)
That sounds like fun.
(Pam Howell 3:09pm June 12, 2015)
I don't know. My mother in law, made my wedding dress.
(Nancy Luebke 6:19pm June 12, 2015)
I don't think so! I feel like I would need people I can trust around me to give me
advice I can trust.
(Lily Shah 6:53pm June 12, 2015)
If this was the coveted dress that would get me my ONE
then yes I think I would. I would have to know them some
in order to first be roommates with them and second to
purchase something with them. Also it would be a
wonderful way to keep connected to someone that was
important to me.
(Tina Ullrich 8:19pm June 12, 2015)
What an awesome book to read about strangers that share a wedding
dress, each with a different story but all with precious memories of slipping
that dress on and dreaming of the perfect day with the perfect dress. What
an amazing adventure this special dress will take.
(Deana Dick 8:28pm June 12, 2015)
I love the idea of the book but I'd want my wedding dress to be my own
(Liz Digman 8:57pm June 12, 2015)
I don't think I would buy a wedding dress with a group of strangers but I might with a group of friends. The only problem would be to get a group of women the same size and shape. Loved your idea and would love to read your book. Thanks.
(Sharon Extine 2:04am June 13, 2015)
Oh my , I would absolutely love to read this wonderful story . I can imagine the five women living together ,working at different jobs and places so they can survive . Yes , I would do the exact same thing in that time and situation , and in this time I would if I was in the same situation .Thanks for this great giveaway . I must read this story.
(Joan Thrasher 9:42am June 13, 2015)
I'm not sure that I could do this. I don't meet strangers very well.
(Robbie Bauldree 10:49am June 13, 2015)
Never being in this type of situation before at first I'd
probably say no, but due to circumstances of the time I'd also
like to think I could be open to living in the moment as well.
Can't wait to dive into this book!!! Thanks for the
opportunity to win & good luck to all who enter!!!:)
(Andra| Dalton 11:02am June 13, 2015)
I don't think I could buy a wedding dress with strangers, but I could with
friends. This book sounds awesome and I can't wait to read it!!
(Sheri Pruitt 11:03am June 13, 2015)
They would probably be more helpful than my friends and family!
(Lindsey Andronak 2:10pm June 13, 2015)
Very cool premise! Yes, I might, depending on the feelings the woman and event
evoke at the time. Thanks for the entry!
(Laura Logan 2:49pm June 13, 2015)
I think I could buy a lovely wedding dress going in with four strangers if it happened back during those years when times were harder and people weren't frugal with their money. This book sounds like such an interesting story, and I love reading books like this and must read it!
(Linda Luinstra 4:16pm June 13, 2015)
No I don't think I would.
(Patricia Venable 8:35pm June 13, 2015)
No, I would want to buy the dress of my life either entirely by myself or with my best friend. If I knew exactly what I wanted I would want to go by myself so as not to get distracted by another opinion. If I weren't 100% sure I'd want my best friend as a sounding board.
(Flora Presley 10:28pm June 13, 2015)
What an amazing story! I can't imagine buying something that,
to me, is so personal and so unique, with four FRIENDS, much
less four near-strangers!
(Teresa Kander 10:26am June 14, 2015)
What a wonderful idea for a story, and more and more today I can see this actually happening.
(Debra Wolsleben 2:24pm June 14, 2015)
Strange idea not sure if most people would want to
(Jeri Dickinson 3:26pm June 14, 2015)
Oh, how fascinating! I can't wait to read this story!! I think buying a wedding dress with four other women would be a grand adventure.
(Britney Adams 5:41pm June 14, 2015)
I know I should probably have more faith in others, but I don't think I could
trust that many other people to split that kind of purchase with me. Way too
many things could go wrong. I agree that it is an amazing story though.
(Nikki Fournier 5:12am June 15, 2015)
No, don't think I could - family is too important to me :)
(Dianne McVetty 9:13am June 15, 2015)
I don't think I would mind buying a dress with four strangers, because
sometimes family has a biased perception of you, whereas people who
don't know you at all, should be able to pick out a dress more objectively.
(Becky R 10:45am June 15, 2015)
I can't imagine sharing a wedding dress with people I
barely know, but your book sounds very intriguing - I love
the fact it's based on a true story!
(Valerie Stoj 11:12am June 15, 2015)
I think a wedding dress is personal and would not want to share it
but I would love to read this book
(Shirley Younger 12:17pm June 15, 2015)
The adventure sounds great but sharing a wedding dress ,I would have to think about
(Jean Benedict 12:47pm June 15, 2015)
Yes I would I am always up for some fun and excitement.
(Denise Austin 3:08pm June 15, 2015)
What an intriguing sounding book, I don't it would be something I could do though.
(Jean Patton 3:19pm June 15, 2015)
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