Tell us about your
latest book.
Bet
You Didn’t Think MS Could Look This Good is a memoir.
It gives a realistic and raw account of the battle leading up to and
including my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
This book stands apart from others of its kind because it doesn’t follow
the typical story arc style of writing.
Quite literally, everything in the book was taken from my personal
journal. It’s not pretentious. It’s an emotional and sarcastically humored
journey that resonates with people because I’m just like one of them, an
everyday ordinary person.
Why do you think readers
are going to enjoy your book?
Well,
because it’s real. It’s not depicting
some celebrity who has a vast amount of resources at their disposal. It entails my life, a person who can’t miss
work due to a flare up because I can’t afford to lose pay. It’s a person who has children and a home to
attend to because I can’t hire a nanny or a maid. I definitely think the twisted humor and
sheer will power of a woman with MS will give readers someone to root for.
What’s your favorite
quote about writing/for writers?
“I
don’t think writers should write about answers, I think writers should write
about questions.” – Paul Haggis. I
always try to remember this when I’m writing.
It’s natural to write about some dilemma, whether true or fictional, and
want to give some type of explanation for it.
You have to fight that urge. You
want to lead readers on a journey and allow them to come to their own
conclusions. They want to be engaged and
have their interests peaked. If you just
lay it all out for them it’ll just feel like they’re reading from a history
textbook. So I never like to wrap up a
story all tidy like and tied with a neat little bow. I want to keep them thinking about it even
after they’ve finished the book.
Did you learn anything
from writing your book that way unexpected?
I
learned how much I despise editing and proofreading. Even with an editor you still have to go over
it and maybe tweak it. By the end I was
sick of my own story. I also learned how
much of a procrastinator I can be with certain things which struck me as odd
since I usually tackle everything head on.
You really do need to write everyday even when you don’t feel like
it. The best I discovered though is how much
I love that feeling you get when inspiration strikes. That’s a high I definitely can get addicted
to.
Who or what inspired you
to become a writer?
I
don’t believe it was any particular person or event. I just love to express myself by being
creative. I enjoy being sucked into a
story, an alternate world so to speak.
Even though I’m grounded I have quite the vivid imagination. Although my current book’s a memoir I wanted
people to get absorbed into a different world which just so happens to be my
real life.
When you’re not writing,
how do you spend your time?
Well,
I’m like every other person, I have responsibilities but I enjoy reading and
watching TV. I also like being with
family and friends, drinking some wine by a fire pit, or even playing board
games. I get a kick out of being goofy
with my pets and going on new adventures no matter how trivial they may
be. I adore learning. I’m like a sponge and want to absorb all the
information I can. I wish I was like
that when I was in school but learning is so much more fun when you’re not
required to do it.
What are your thoughts
on self-publishing versus traditional publishing?
I’m
no expert on the publishing industry nor do I tend to be. I believe each and every author needs to
assess their own needs when it comes to publishing. That being said, I think there are pros and
cons to each. Self-publishing allows you
the freedom of not having to adhere to traditional publishing companies
guidelines and you set your own pace.
Yet, so many self-published books get lost in the pile and not taken as
seriously. As for traditional publishing
you get the recognition and validation of being a serious author. You’re more inclined to gain more
exposure. But traditional publishing has
more restrictions and it’s extremely hard to break through especially as a new
author. I chose the route of traditional
publishing because I wanted the validation that my work was considered good
enough to be chosen. If my work wasn’t
considered worthy then I wouldn’t want it out there. Let’s face it; an author’s success depends on
public opinion. Hell, I was rejected a
lot but that made me go back to the drawing board to improve my writing and
myself. I keep all the rejection letters
as a reminder that there’s always room for improvement. Writing is hard work. I don’t think may people outside the industry
realize that.
Where can people find
out more about you and your writing?
They
can go to my website: www.lisabaeringer.weebly.com or my Facebook author
page: Lisa A. Baeringer. I enjoy
connecting with other writers and people in general. I’m very accessible and like to speak to
anyone who reaches out. I’m very down to
earth. On these sites you become part of
a community, you’re not just an outsider or a fan. You definitely aren’t another face in the
crowd. Plus, you’ll get to take
advantage of promotions and discussions.
What formats is the book
available in?
It’s
available in both paperback and Kindle, something for everyone. Paperback’s for more of the traditional reader
such as myself whereas the ebook is fitting for more of the progressive reader.
Where can a reader
purchase your book?
Right
now it can found on Amazon. Soon it’ll
be available on Cedar Loft Publishing’s website along with brick and mortar
stores such as Barnes & Noble.
