…Strong writing skills — a successful author must master the basics of grammar, punctuation, and style. For example, J.K. Rowling’s ability to create engaging dialogue and vivid descriptions in the Harry Potter series helped immerse readers into her world, making her writings some of the most successful and masterful collections to date. Readers are not just observing the story; they are experiencing it, making them feel a deep connection to the characters and their world, which exemplifies how a well-crafted narrative can transport readers to another realm, leaving lasting impact long after the final page is turned. To improve writing skills, aspiring authors can take workshops, read widely, and practice regularly. Writing exercises, such as journaling or short story prompts, can also sharpen one’s craft…
Some writers and authors have a knack for using language that can really move people. Some writers and authors have been able to influence millions with their words alone. What does it take to become an effective and successful author or writer? In this interview series, called “5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author or Writer” we are talking to successful authors and writers who can share lessons from their experiences. As part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Skinner, CDP, CDT, CPD.
International Best Selling Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Certified Dementia Care Trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association, and a Certified Dementia Care Program Director, as well as the internationally recognized podcast host of the Truth, Lies, & Alzheimer’s Show. Lisa is also an internationally recognized TEDx speaker and has appeared on many international, national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice on how to respond. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
Certainly. My very first experience into the world of Alzheimer’s disease dates back 50 years when I went to visit my grandmother for one of our traditional ‘catch up’ conversations. She only lived a few miles from my childhood home, so I visited her often. On this particular day, we sat down in her living room as we usually did, when she started telling me about “the birds that were living in her mattress that came out at night to peck her face”… then she pointed to her walls and asked me if I saw the ‘hundreds of rats’ that were running along it, insisting that they were invading her home. Finally, she shared with me that ‘these men’ were constantly breaking into her home, stealing her jewelry and other possessions, and that she was convinced they were going to ‘do away’ with her and assume her life. I sat there absolutely dumbfounded by what I was hearing. Up until this day, I never even suspected that there was anything wrong with my grandma, so hearing the most outlandish stories I had ever heard completely took me aback. I asked her to show me where the birds were getting in and out of her mattress, so we went into her bedroom where I threw the covers off her bed to look for holes in her mattress both on the top and then underneath, but, of course, there were no signs of any birds. I asked her If she knew how they were getting in and out so I could help her. She just looked at me and said, “Oh, Lisa, they are there… they’re just very very clever!” I just went along with her because I was brought up to never argue or contradict an elder. After the visit, I confronted my mother and asked her what was wrong with grandma and told her the stories I had just heard. She told me that grandma had recently been diagnosed with what they called back then ‘Senile Dementia’. I asked her why she hadn’t told me or prepared me instead of me being completely blindsided by the experience! She just looked at me and said very sternly, “we are not going to talk about this.” (very typical back then) Little did I know this would be the beginning of a 20-year journey for my family trying to navigate the heartbreaking decline of my grandma over the next 20 years, with 7 more of my family members following in her footsteps with a dementia-related illness. And little did I know that it would be the inspiration for me to go on to help thousands of other families who would be impacted by dementia. This led me to dedicating my life to what has now become a 30+ year career.
Can you share the most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career?
About 15 years ago, I was called over to a client’s house for a consultation visit. She had been referred to me by one of my other clients and said she would like to discuss the situation with her father and her mother-in-law. When I arrived, she shared with me that her father had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and that her husband’s mother (her mother-in law) had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease — both about 2 years prior to this visit. She and her husband asked me question after question for the next 2 ½ hours, then she stopped me for a short pause to tell me that I had given them more valuable and useful information in the past 2.5 hours than they had been able to get anywhere else since they began this journey with their parents, including their doctors. Then she implored me to write a book and insisted that it would be selfish of me not to share my knowledge and expertise with families like hers who have been so desperate to find reliable resources and information to help them get through the everyday challenges that came up in the face of these diseases. Well, I knew she was right as I was well aware of the limited resources that were available at that time and had also heard it from many of my other clients over the years. There was something about the way she presented her argument to me that had a profound impact on me that day — maybe bringing to my attention that I would be selfish not to share what I knew with so many others who were struggling to cope. That was the impetus that led me to actually sit down with pen and paper and begin writing my first book, which I finished and published about a year later.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your journey to becoming a writer? How did you overcome it? Can you share a story about that that other aspiring writers can learn from?
When I started writing my first book, I honestly believed that the hardest part would be in process of actually writing the book. I was so misinformed. Writing and publishing the book turned out to be the easier part even though it took about a year from start to publication with all the editing that goes into finishing the project, As it turned out, unbeknownst to me at the time, the first part of the book- writing process is only about 10% of the work, The other 90% of the work is in marketing the book. I believed in the beginning of launching this project that all I had to do was write and publish it and the buyers would just come automatically. I learned the hard way that this is not the way things happen in the book business. Becoming an author is an ongoing commitment to finding ways to market yourself as an author to continue to capture the interest of the buyers and stay at the forefront of their consciousness. Here is it, 15 years after my first book came out, and I am still promoting my works. It’s been a lot of work that I can honestly say I was not prepared for in the beginning but learned quickly that this is what it takes to be a successful author.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I’d have to say that the funniest mistake I made when I was first starting out was my naivety about the entire book- writing process and believing that if I wrote it, the rest of the process would just follow naturally. Boy, was I wrong. The most significant lesson I learned was to never get discouraged and to never give up the dream of accomplishment. It’s been worth every excruciating step.
In your opinion, were you a “natural born writer” or did you develop that aptitude later on? Can you explain what you mean?
I’ve always had a natural aptitude for writing, but my skills have continued to improve with age — just like a fine bottle of wine.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I host a weekly podcast called the Truth, Lies, & Alzheimer’s Show with Lisa Skinner, which has recently ranked in the top 10% of the most popular podcasts aired worldwide, according to Listen Notes. To me, that’s been a monumental accomplishment, especially since there are about 3.3 million podcasts on air today. I have also become a national and international professional speaker to raise awareness about living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia which has been my goal for years.
Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author or Writer”? Please share a story or example for each.
- Strong writing skills — a successful author must master the basics of grammar, punctuation, and style. For example, J.K. Rowling’s ability to create engaging dialogue and vivid descriptions in the Harry Potter series helped immerse readers into her world, making her writings some of the most successful and masterful collections to date. Readers are not just observing the story; they are experiencing it, making them feel a deep connection to the characters and their world, which exemplifies how a well-crafted narrative can transport readers to another realm, leaving lasting impact long after the final page is turned. To improve writing skills, aspiring authors can take workshops, read widely, and practice regularly. Writing exercises, such as journaling or short story prompts, can also sharpen one’s craft.
- Have a clear understanding of story structure, in other words, have familiarity with narrative structures like the three-act structure or the hero’s journey. For example, in “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, the story effectively follows a clear arc of introduction, conflict, and resolution. Writers can study plot outlines and analyze successful books and films to understand how tension builds and resolves, allowing them to construct compelling narratives in their own work. I personally use a technique called ‘Mind Mapping” for organizing my thoughts and ideas. I find this technique to work most effectively for me because I find it keeps me on point throughout the process.
- Resilience and perseverance. For example, the road to publication is often filled with rejection. Even J.K. Rowing faced numerous rejections before “Harry Potter” was finally accepted by Bloomsbury. Therefore, a successful author must be resilient, willing to learn from feedback, and be persistent in their efforts. This may involve revising manuscripts multiple times or continuing to pitch stories even after facing setbacks.
- Knowledge of the publishing industry. For example, understanding the different paths to publication (traditional vs. self-publishing) is vital. For instance, Amanda Hocking found success through self-publishing before traditional publishers took notice, as did I. Writers should familiarize themselves with literary agents, publishing contracts, marketing strategies, and the importance of building an author platform. Participating in writer’s conferences and groups, joining professional organizations, and following industry news can provide valuable insights.
- Engagement with readers and community. For example, building a readership is essential for long-term success. Authors like Neil Gaiman utilize social media platforms to connect with fans, share insights, and promote their work. Engaging with readers through book signings, readings, or online forums can foster a loyal audience. Also, networking with other writers can lead to collaborations, mentoring opportunities, and support systems that motivate and inspire.
What is the one habit you believe contributed the most to you becoming a great writer? (i.e. perseverance, discipline, play, craft study). Can you share a story or example?
I’d have to say it was setting goals throughout my entire book– writing process. In the year it took me from start to completion, I defined clear, achievable writing goals for myself that I did not waiver from. Statistically, only about 10–20% of people who express a desire to write a book do in fact complete one. I was aware of this statistic from the get-go. I was determined to be in that 10–20%. Life can easily get in the way of us achieving our goals.
Which literature do you draw inspiration from? Why
Maya Angelou, who has inspired millions, including me, with her themes of resilience and empowerment through her autobiographical works and poetry.
Brene’ Brown. Her work on vulnerability and courage resonated with my search for personal growth.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I believe I have already started a movement aimed at improving the quality of care and the quality of life for those living with dementia, along with their caregivers and family members. My commitment is to raise awareness about the complexities of dementia, the challenges that everyone faces on a day-to-day basis, and to promote best practices in care to enable all those involved to focus on what really matters — spending quality time together, while they still have it.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
My website is www.mindingdementia.com
Thank you so much for this. This was very inspiring!
Author Lisa Skinner On The 5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Successful Author was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.