- So, tell me a little about yourself. Writer? Editor? Life etc
I’m
Lisa Sniderman, aka Aoede, an award-winning, quirky, folk-pop artist,
playwright, teaching artist, author, filmmaker from San Francisco, and have
been battling a rare chronic illness for nearly 12 years while obsessively
creating to heal. I create and record unique, original full-length fantasy
musicals on audiobooks that I adapt to musical theater stage plays. I’ve been
honored with more than 80 awards for my songwriting, audiobooks, films, stage
plays and books since 2012 all while suffering from a rare autoimmune disease:
dermatomyositis, a progressive muscle weakness disease. My mission is to be a
light and a muse by inspiring, engaging, empowering, connecting with, encouraging,
and supporting young adults and kids at heart of all ages, challenges, and
abilities through original art and music. My new memoir: A Light in the Darkness: Transcending
Chronic Illness through the Power of Art and Attitude (Sep2018), chronicles
my 10-year journey living with chronic illness while creating to heal. I
founded an online community of artists creating to heal and collaborated with
more than 50 artists who are also creating to heal, culminating in an online
video showcase and live multi-media performances in December 2018.
- What do you LOVE doing in the book world? Tell me why.
I
love writing and sharing my story! I love connecting with my readers and
receiving messages or receiving reviews from people who are inspired by my
book, story or journey, and realizing the impact I am having as a writer and
artist. It is hard to be vulnerable, and knowing that because I shared my
journey, I encouraged, helped or inspired someone else is totally worth it. I
love connecting with other authors and am always learning. The book world as an
author is still new to me, so I am always growing: whether it is navigating the
world of publishing, marketing and promotion, or improving my craft and
writing, I love to learn new skills as an artist, especially those that scare
me and take me out of my comfort zone.
- What is your favourite genre to write? Why?
I
have written a memoir, so that genre comes naturally to me!
- What else do you enjoy outside of editing and writing/interviewing/publishing?
I
enjoy spending time with my husband at home, playing music, creating, cooking,
and playing with our adorable wire fox terrier, Alice. I enjoy time online
connecting on social networks with my friends and fans.
- What are you working on right now? Editing? Writing?
I collaborated
with more than 20 “lights in the darkness” artists who contributed their vocals
to a new recording Keep Shining, and
released the song and video that shares my story and struggle with rare chronic
illness, disability and recovery. It is a powerful reminder to never give up. Keep Shining music video has been
selected for multiple film festivals and has received several awards, and was
considered for Grammy awards!
KEEP
SHINING VIDEO LINK:
I
also have a NEW AUDIOBOOK of my memoir now available that I narrated!
I am creating a free virtual summit for those who live and
struggle with chronic illness, for July 2020, and spending this year recording
video interviews with 60 experts: thriving artists who also battle
illness, medical experts, thought leaders, spiritual teachers and healers,
alternative practitioners, online support networks, creative (music, art,
drama) therapists to share strategies, practices, resources, tools, tips, demos
and more on how to thrive! There is a new Facebook Group for the summit as
well: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2521920814702414/
This also sparked my next musical
project, a spoken word album on the stages of grief and thriving that I am
writing and recording now and will also inspire my next book!
- Why do you write the genre you’ve chosen? Have you had any experiences that influenced your decision you can share?
After
persevering for more than 10 years through a rare chronic illness by
obsessively turning to creativity to express and as a healing path, I decided
during conversations with my editor that I wanted to share my story. I realized
that because I had taken on the role of muse, becoming a light in the darkness,
offering support, compassion, inspiration, connection, and encouragement to
those who need it most-especially those experiencing transformations: illness,
disability, or unexpected life challenges, I wanted to write to inspire my
readers, which led to me selecting memoir as my genre. I had struggled with the
tone of the story, initially sharing it as a diary and inviting the reader in
to my secrets and confessions, but revised the structure to be more universal
and to share coping strategies and life lessons via each of my chapters (e.g.,
Redefining Success, Facing Your Fears, Putting Yourself Out There). This also
allowed me to plunge deeper than just relaying an account of my day-to day
experiences allowed me, and to share more personal thoughts and reflections on
my journey.
- Can you tell the readers one bizarre ritual you must do during your writing/editing /interviewing/illustrating day?
Not
bizarre, but because I live with chronic illness, fatigue and limited energy, I
have to be rested to write; so I allow myself to nap during the day without
guilt, when and for however long I need to! I also always have my cup of tea
and my dog, Alice, right next to me for added comfort and joy when writing!
- Anything else you want to tell us, be my guest.
Also,
to find my book on Amazon
To connect with me:
Fostering Healing by
Giving Your Creative Spirit Wings and Inspiring You to Share Your Story...
(Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter/Playwright/Recording Artist/Composer/Author/ Filmmaker/Dreamer)
alightinthedarkness.info
doyoubelieveinmagic.info
whataredreamsmadeof.com
isloveafairytale.com
aoedemuse.com
facebook.com/aoedemusemusic
twitter.com/aoedemuse
youtube.com/aoedemuse
doyoubelieveinmagic.info
whataredreamsmadeof.com
isloveafairytale.com
aoedemuse.com
facebook.com/aoedemusemusic
twitter.com/aoedemuse
youtube.com/aoedemuse
A Light in the Darkness
by Lisa A. Sniderman
Genre: Inspirational Memoir
What can we do when we struggle with an illness that doesn't go away?
An inspirational story of the healing power of music, creativity, following your dreams and finding your true purpose.
In 2008, singer-songwriter Lisa Sniderman was living the dream in California. As Aoede, the Muse of Song, her star as a gifted recording artist was rising fast. Lisa’s quirky folk-pop performance style electrified audiences up and down the West Coast, and the albums just kept flowing. But just when her career was rocketing skyward, a health crisis brought all of her dreams crashing to the ground. Diagnosed with a rare, debilitating immune disorder called dermatomyositis (DM), Lisa struggled to maintain a normal life with a body in revolt and, eventually, to accept a new normal. Living with a chronic illness challenged Lisa to see DM as a gift in disguise that has opened the door to new dreams, new songs, and new opportunities. Lisa’s story is for you if you seek strength, new inspiration, hope, joy, healing, and if you or someone you love struggle with a chronic illness, disability, or unexpected life events. Her insights and reflections on her journey inspire hope and the courage to keep dreaming and living to the fullest no matter what life hurls at you.
Lisa Sniderman, aka Aoede, is an award-winning, quirky, folk-pop artist, playwright, filmmaker, and author from San Francisco who creates to heal. She creates and records unique, original full-length fantasy musicals on audiobooks that she adapts to musical theater stage plays. She’s been honored with more than 80 awards for songwriting, audiobooks, films, stage plays and books since 2012 all while suffering from a rare autoimmune disease: dermatomyositis, a progressive muscle weakness disease. Lisa’s mission is to be a light and a muse by inspiring, engaging, empowering, connecting with, encouraging, and supporting young adults and kids at heart of all ages, challenges, and abilities through original art and music. She fosters healing by “giving your creative spirit wings and inspiring you to share your story.”
Lisa’s new memoir, A Light in the Darkness: Transcending Chronic Illness through the Power of Art and Attitude, chronicles 10 years living with chronic illness while creating to heal. Through confessions and life lessons, Lisa offers support, compassion, strength, connection, encouragement, motivation, and hope-a light in the darkness-to those battling chronic illness, disability and unexpected life challenges.
Lisa founded an online community of artists creating to heal and collaborated with more than 50 artists who are also creating to heal, culminating in an online video showcase and live multi-media performances in December 2018.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
thank you so much for sharing my book and give-away here! May your readers find inspiration from my story!
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