Interview with Louise Lewis, author of No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You!

About the Book:

Losing a job always delivers a hard blow, but it was especially hard for forty-something author Louise Lewis, one of many victims of the technology industry's dotcom implosion. No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! tells the story of how she pulled herself together and discovered a new life of meaning.

Just minutes after being "set free", Lewis, a single woman with a mortgage to pay, sits in the San Jose, California, airport panicking over her future. While toying with the option of giving into depression, she receives a powerful message from God that instantly releases the weight of her worries. "This is just a new chapter in your life. You hold the pen, I'll guide your hand, and together we'll write one hell of a chapter." Through Spirit's continued involvement, Lewis is inspired to ask normal, everyday people to answer Spirit's question: what is the meaning of life?

No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! weaves through a vast collection of spontaneous, thought-provoking answers and inspirational stories that demonstrate how the simple act of listening to Spirit can add meaning to every moment of your life.

I was lucky enough to have Louise agree to an interview as part of her virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion. Here is what she had to say:

Where are you from?

I was 'born and bred' in a small town about 45 minutes south of New Orleans. And, yes, there is dry land south of New Orleans!

Though Mother Nature takes away more and more every year.

At 23, I moved to California and have lived there ever since.

When and why did you begin writing?

My book started writing itself on November 13, 2002, just a few weeks after I got "set free" (laid off) from my job. As to why I started writing...Well, my answer to most who/what/whyquestions is simply because Spirit told me to.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Even though I have always believed that everyone has a book in them, I never thought I would write one. And, oddly enough, now that I have a book under my belt, I don't consider myself a writer. I still think of myself as an unemployed salesperson who was blessed to live the experiences of a Spirit-led journey....and later "told" by Spirit to write about it.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I am grateful to both Spirit and Oprah for the inspiration. (Yes, that Oprah!) It was one of Oprah's shows that provided the "ah-ha" idea for my book. And it was Spirit's constant guidance that made my journey grow so large, so amazing that when the time was right, Spirit said: "Now share your story with the world."

Do you have a specific writing style?

It's embarrassing to admit this, but I don't think I know enough about writing to properly label my style. With apologies offered, I'll make it up and call it a 'conversational' writing style. Meaning that I write as I speak, and I speak from my heart.

How did you come up with the title?

I asked an ex-coworker to participate in the book. After asking her the 'meaning of life' question, she replied: "If Plato and Socrates and those guys couldn't come up with an answer, who am I to even try." In hearing her reply, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. "Oh, noooooo!" I thought, "You don't need an expert to tell you your own meaning of life!" Now don't get me wrong, reading about what the "experts" have to say is okay. There are many great minds in our world (past and present.) But I think to find contentment, peace in life, you must learn to think for yourself...rely on yourself and trust the Truth you hold in the silence of your heart.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The first message I would like readers to adopt is to start talking to the "stranger" sitting next to you...particularly when you are on your own. Begin a conversation that has meaning versus a superficial topic. If you allow the conversation to "peel your onion" to deeper levels,you'll be amazed at what you hear...and what you learn about yourself.

How much of the book is realistic?

My book is non-fiction and is the true story of my Spirit-led adventure.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Yes, me.

What books have most influenced your life?

I really enjoy bio/autobiographies. But a good who dunit is always fun, too.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

That question is too hard to answer; I'd only sound like a name dropper. Being a novice writer, I learn from all.

What book are you reading now?

I'm about to start "Playing for Pizza" by John Grisham.

What are your current projects?

I am working on my second book, making No Experts Needed into a series. The book collects stories and 'meaning of life' answers from "bikers"...the motorcycle kind. Many celebrity "bikers" are also joining the fun. Because this is a project from the heart, I will donate net proceeds of this book to children's charities. Can't wait to start raising money for the munchkins!

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Spirit.

Do you see writing as a career?

I want my career to involve living out life's adventures to the fullest as directed by what I hear from Spirit. Then I'll write about it. And then I'll again share my story with the world.

What do you think makes a good story?

A good story is one to that I can relate, either based on common experiences or that sparks a raw emotion. A story doesn't have to be Hollywood-style fantastic...because a good story will always find its audience.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

The most important thing I learned was that "becoming" an author was the most amazing and life-changing aspect of the entire writing process. Writing was all about the journey and not the destination. My journey was one of self exploration and discovery. I learned that it wasn't all about holding the final product in my hands. Nor was it about the anticipation and thrill of the first sale. Although both of these milestones remain amazing moments in my life. For me, nothing compared to the required mental journey of traveling through the (sometimes dark, most times enlightening) alleys of my mind. Exploring the strengths and weaknesses of my personality. Challenging myself to reach far beyond my limits. And daily, refereeing battles between Ego and Spirit. Thankfully, Spirit remained my guiding force throughout the entire process. And once my book was finished, I looked back and saw that throughout the writing process, I had been walking toward the person I want to be now and in the future.

About the Author:

Louise has two decades of experience in marketing and advertising, having held senior-level positions on the client, advertising agency, and ad sales sides of the business.

She considers herself a self-growth junkie, continuing to seek light, love, and wisdom in her daily life.

With an innate passion for spiritual growth, she has a strong desire to give back to the world. Along with the inspiration and direction received from Spirit, Louise continues to touch the lives of all she meets.

She volunteers at Children´s Hospital of Orange County.

Louise earned a bachelor´s degree in Communications at California State University in Fullerton.

Born and raised in Louisiana, she resides in Southern California.