Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Louise Lewis, author of No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You!

Good day Louise and thanks for participating in our interview.

Louise:

It’s my pleasure and thank you for this opportunity.

Norm:

What motivated you to write No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! Was it therapeutic? 
 

Louise:

When my Spirit-led journey began, my original plan was to write all the events in a journal. Then, at a time when I was only able to party in my rocking chair, I could pull out my journals and read about my fascinating life.

But when my journey began to include so many wonderful people and amazing events, I quickly realized that the spirit of my journey had grown so large that I just had to share my story with the world.

Was it therapeutic? Well, I do believe keeping a journal is a great therapy in itself. But I think of my book as more of a written testimony of what happens when two “strangers” meet and choose to make a connection on the highest level. Experiencing that connection is my therapy.

Norm:

Your book appears to have a broader mission than simply entertaining or storytelling. Can you talk more about that mission and what you hope readers will take away in terms of their relationship to the Earth and to each other?

Louise:

It was never my desire to entertain anyone with my book. Of course, I love hearing when someone enjoys reading my book. But I am equally, if not more, pleased if someone is left feeling annoyed by something they read. To me, that would mean something from the book got under their skin. Hopefully, that something would stay there and gnaw away at the person until they took the time to figure it out and then come to peace with it.

My mission is simply to get people thinking and engaging in discussions on topics that are above and beyond the daily chatter of life. To encourage people to connect with the “stranger” sitting next to them.  To ask questions of them and to listen to the answers.  I think this is the only way we can strengthen the bonds in our society.

Norm:

From reading your book, it appears that you are a religious person. What is your feeling about today’s organized religions? Have they evolved or are they stuck in their age-old prejudices and narrow mindedness stressing symbols rather than actions.

Louise:

Actually, I’m not a religious person, more spiritual than a follower of organized religion.  I was raised Catholic but stopped going to church when I was on my own at 18 years old. But let me quickly add that although I stopped attending church, I never stopped believing; I remain a Christian.

I left the church because I never agreed with what I perceived to be man-made rules. I would say human-made rules to be “pc,” but since women are not recognized or valued enough to have a role in the church, it remains men who rule the flock. Evolved? I think not.

Knowing that organized religion didn’t work for me, I took the time to define what God and spirituality meant to me. Through this process, I began to gravitate toward people whose actions were based upon the message of their spiritual belief system. People who can only recite words and offer empty actions do not have a place in my life.

Norm:

Do you worry about the human race?

Louise:

Yes and no. Sometimes and never. Who said life is contradictory? I do worry about the human race every time I watch the news. War, rape, murder, corruption…it simply breaks my heart to see how awful we treat each other. 

But when I turn off the TV and plug into my world, I am again guided to people who are positive and value life and the ground we walk on. It is in ‘my world’ that I am reminded of the goodness of people and that we can absolutely make a change in world thought. I guess that’s why I challenge people to think about the meaning of life.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Louise:

I believe in the saying that we are our own worst enemy. The Ego is my enemy and the biggest obstacle to had to hurdle. Ego – which houses all fear, doubt, uncertainty – yelled at me every step of the writing process. It said, “You’re crazy to think that you can write a book!”  Getting Ego to shut up is indeed a challenge, but I succeed each time, eventually.

My secret? When I’m aware of Ego’s presence holding me back, I simply ask myself one question: In this moment, am I living in Spirit or in Ego?  Immediately, my entire world is adjusted toward Spirit and freed to move forward.

Norm:

What has your experience been like with self-publishing? Do you recommend it over traditional publishers?
 
Louise:

For my debut book, I used iUniverse – a Print on Demand (POD) publisher. I didn’t want to wait years (or never) for a traditional publisher to take notice. iUniverse seems to have the publishing process down to a science and they are always adding new features that benefit the author.

I think most authors would agree that when it comes time to making the publishing decision, a conversation must be held between one’s list of goals and the bank account.  The outcome of that conversation quickly determines which path will be taken.

But I do dream of getting picked up by a big traditional publisher. But I’m not holding my breath!

Norm:

Will there be any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?

Louise:

My book has only been on the market for three months, and so far, I have followed the best practices of the authors who have gone before me. Right now I am utilizing radio interviews and the web to get the word out.

Norm:

What do you think of the new Internet market for writers?

Louise:

The Internet provides a great venue for authors to contribute articles to blogs, ezines, chat rooms, etc., which ultimately helps to increase a book’s visibility.

Since I have a POD book, with that comes one of the biggest drawbacks – distribution. You see most brick and mortar bookstores/retailers do not want to carry POD books because POD publishers do not offer a return policy. This severely restricts distribution and hence the opportunity to gain visibility. So the opportunity to post or write articles on the Internet is a great way to increase awareness and credibility.

Norm:

What does it mean to tell the truth? And what does it mean to tell stories in a work of non-fiction?

Louise:

Wow, what a great question, one that can be answered in philosophical or ethical terms. I’ll do my best not to get on my soapbox here!

When it comes to telling the truth, I believe it means full disclosure.  Lying is never an option. But knowing that some/most people do not want to hear the truth, I always run a Litmus test of sorts before I speak my truth.

I ask myself these questions: Is telling the ‘whole truth and nothing but the truth’ going to harm or help this person? Are they sincerely asking for the truth (as I see it)? And, if I choose to withhold part of the truth, will I ever be able to look that person in the eye with a clear conscience?

As for telling stories in a non-fiction work, I believe in ‘nothing but the truth’, meaning that a story should not be embellished for entertainment purposes.  If an author has to doctor a story, then it should be labeled a novel.

Norm:

How did you celebrate your book’s completion?

Louise:

Well, I do like a good celebration and have learned to celebrate even the smallest moments. I even celebrated receiving the copyright certificate from the Library of Congress; that was so cool to me!

Most of my many celebrations are quiet and personal. When I received in the mail my finished book, I held it close to my heart and simply said, Thank you, God! And then I cried.

Norm:

When you leave this world and I hope it is not for a very long time, how do you want to be remembered?

Louise:

I don’t have a doubt in my mind that I will be remembered for always asking deep, thought provoking questions. At my funeral they will say: “God she was annoying! But she made me think, and I thank her for that!”

Norm:

What is next for Louise Lewis and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Louise:

What’s next? More of the same…Promote, promote, promote my first book; it’s a long and hard road.  But in my “spare” time, I am also working on two additional books to make “No Experts Needed” into a series.  One book is on children answering the meaning of life question; that one is a real hoot to read! And following that book is a book on bikers. Yes, there’s a great story behind the biker book!

My parting words would be this: I want everyone to begin (or continue) to ask life’s tough questions and then take the time to find the answers. Be not afraid of any question or any answer because a wonderful journey awaits.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

To read Norm's Review of  No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! CLICK HERE

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