Q & A with D.G. Kaye

Q and A with D.G. Kaye Featuring Author Lisa Thomson – The Wine Diaries

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Welcome to Q and A with D.G. Kaye interview series. Today I’m happy to introduce here, friend and fellow Canadian author, Lisa Thomson. Lisa is mostly a nonfiction writer who shares lots of herself and her anecdotes and empowering advice for women going through divorce. But her teachings, in conversational writing, invite anyone to read her wisdoms as she has lots of life experience to offer. And her teachings can easily be applied to any kind of loss in life. Let’s get on with the show!

 

Lisa Thomson

 

About Lisa:

Lisa’s passion for writing began during her divorce and has blossomed into more
creative pursuit without losing that drive to help others. Her two self-help books,
The great Escape; A Girl’s Guide To Leaving a Marriage and A divorce Companion,
help economically-dependent women going through divorce.

Hearts Unbroken-short stories, is her first published fiction. A collection of stories
featuring characters facing tough decisions. Finding love, losing it, and remaining
faithful to their hearts, these characters will show you the power of love.

Lisa’s new release, The Wine Diaries: Musings on Divorce Paired With Wine, is a
collection of personal stories surrounding the author’s divorce journey and
ensuing life lessons. Each diary entry is paired with a wine that suits the mood and
emotions in the writing. This lovely collection of stories will inspire anyone going
through divorce or a dramatic life change. The reader is encouraged to write in
their own diary with writing prompts at the end of each essay. A decidedly
hopeful book, viewing the glass as half full. Wine therapy included!

Lisa resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She was featured in “B.C.
Book World News” as an Indie author to watch. This mom of 3 can be found
practicing Yoga, painting, and junk journaling when she is not wine tasting or
writing.

 

 

Blurb:

The Wine Diaries is sure to please those who love to snoop in someone’s diary. If you are navigating divorce or unexpected life changes, this essay collection is bound to comfort and satisfy. With each diary entry paired with a wine suggestion, you will remain quenched in heart, mind and palate. Grab your wine glass and join Lisa for a virtual wine tour of the heart.

 

Now let’s get to know Lisa a little better:

 

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite of your books and if so, why?

I’ve written four books. It’s hard to choose a favorite (kind of like choosing a
favorite child). If pressed, my first book, The Great Escape: A Girl’s Guide To
Leaving a Marriage, would be my favorite. It’s my original divorce self-help guide,
and memoir style book written for economically dependent women. The sweat
and tears I put into it, plus, the fact that it almost didn’t see the light of day makes
it even more special to me.

D.G. – I can empathize with your gruel Lis.

 

Do you have a difficult time choosing titles for your books? How do you choose your titles?

Not really. I have almost always chosen the title before writing the actual book.
The titles pop into my head shortly after the book idea itself. There was one
exception though, where my working title did not end up being the official title.
The Icing on The Cake: Short Stories became Hearts Unbroken: Short Stories.

Amazon search engines will sometimes have us re-think our working titles, right?
The Icing on The Cake came up with cookbooks. This would be misleading for my
target audience. Nevertheless, I love a good working title. I can’t get motivated on
a manuscript if it hasn’t got a great title. For example, current WIP’s on my shelf;
Borderline Hysterical, Polarized and Daughter of the Moon. I love all of these titles
but they may eventually change, of course.

D.G. – A lot like me Lis. I’ve always had a knack for titles and headlines. Maybe it comes easier for nonfiction writers?

 

Do your books have messages in them? If so, what are the messages you feel are well received by your readers?

Yes. Female empowerment. Coming out of the fire of divorce, healing after break
ups or major losses, and love wins in the end. Even my fiction carries that same
theme.

D.G. – As one who has read some of your books, I will confirm that!

 

Is there a particular time period in your life that has influenced your writing most?

Definitely. My divorce had a major impact on me emotionally and physically. But
it wasn’t all negative. There were plenty of positive results and learning
experiences that have propelled my writing.

D.G. – I think it’s great that you summoned the courage to share your own experiences to help others.

 

Do you agree with the general consensus that writers are loners?

Not exactly. I mean, we have to get ‘out there’ to get ideas. I believe most writers
have extremely exuberant personalities. Think of Hemingway. He was famous for
partying and enjoying the company of other writers. Sure, it created competition
between him and his buddies but I doubt we would have A Moveable Feast if he
was truly a loner. I could go on with examples but suffice to say I think it’s a myth.

Of course, us writers need some down time to do our thinking, brain storming and
cerebral work. That’s not something non-creatives necessarily require. When
we’re staring into space, we’re using our minds…some people find this hard to
believe. Let’s keep them guessing!

D.G. – Lol so true. Nobody knows what lurks in our minds as we sit in silence. A writer’s mind is never silent!

 

Do you edit and proofread your own work solely or do you hire an editor?

I always hire an editor. It’s crucial in my opinion. I’ll add, too, that having beta
readers is also an effective way to get feedback and make improvements on your
stories. After the professional editing though, there is still a tremendous amount
of work to do. When it comes down to the final draft, your instincts will
sometimes override suggestions. Keeping your voice and original purpose in your
book is key.

D.G. – I agree 100%. It’s essential we keep our voice recognizable.

 

If you could have any of your books made into a movie, which one would you choose and why?

I love this question! Borderline Hysterical (still a WIP) was originally drafted up on
a spoof to shed light on how ridiculous the divorce process can be. I dreamed of it
being an HBO series. Haha!

I would love to see one of my short stories from Hearts Unbroken, made into a
Hallmark movie. Does that sound silly?

In “Sarah’s Decision”, the MC takes a road trip to deal with her growing
uncertainty of her marriage. What happens along the way is a quiet recognition of
what’s missing in her life. Meeting random people, eating at diners, taking a rest
at a cemetery…all lead her to come to a conclusion and finally lose her constant
companion of regret. It has all the ingredients for a Hallmark film; young woman
on the brink, looking for love, pies, and a road trip.

D.G. – Well, I for one would definitely be watching. I really think your divorce stories could actually make a great HBO series!

 

Can you tell us about your new release, The Wine Diaries?

Well, it’s my most personal book to date. I share experiences related to my
divorce and how I got there. Where my journey to separation began and how I
knew when my marriage was over. In addition, I write about some of the signs
that I ignored during my marriage.

I almost didn’t publish this one out of fear. My fear was that of being vulnerable.
I’m putting my life out there even more than I did in my first book. I spent many a
night contemplating the pros and cons of publishing this book. In the end,
obviously, publishing won out. Ultimately, I hope to help those who are going
through divorce right now, or perhaps in an unhappy marriage or relationship.
Also, I believe this book will help people going through a major loss or life
change…because the emotions involved in these scenarios are very similar.

The best part of this book is the wine, of course. While we deal with some heavy
topics, we pair each one with a suitable wine. As I explain in the introduction,
wine is a tonic to our difficulties in life. Enjoyed responsibly, wine can act as a
stress reducer and a be a lovely evening ritual.

D.G. – I am looking so forward to reading!

 

Find Lisa at these Gin Joints:

Her website https://www.lisathomsonlive.com/blog

Amazon Author page https://amzn.to/33oDEwQ

Twitter https://twitter.com/lisalisathom

 

Copyright
© D.G. Kaye and DGKayewriter.com, 2014 – 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to D.G. Kaye

 

37 thoughts on “Q and A with D.G. Kaye Featuring Author Lisa Thomson – The Wine Diaries”

  2. It’s strange how the more one reads of other people journey’s into writing the more similarities I can find between them and me. Not necessarily are the details the same, but the impetus to begin that perilous passage into the unknown is very much alike. Writers aren’t born, they evolve. Very interesting blog. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read it.

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    1. Hi Danny, thanks for visiting and commenting. I agree with you, writers evolve, well said! I always enjoy learning more about writing friends and their writing journeys too. 🙂

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    2. Hi Daniel, thankyou for reading the interview. Yes, indeed, we writers all have stories to share and yet it’s quite a process to get it out there. We do evolve over time. I’m curious about your impetus to become an author. 🙂

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  5. Wonderful to know more about Lisa although we do see each other from time to time in the usual haunts. I seem to remember that wine came into the equation during my divorce proceedings that took three years.. I am sure that many reading the book will relate to the process. Seldom does amicable mean amicable…. hugs to you both. ♥

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  6. I enjoyed meeting Lisa and learning about her books, Debby. The comments about writers being loners are interesting. I think writers are introverts meaning that we need down time and alone time. I can be the life and soul of a party but only for so long. I can’t be around people all the time as it drains me.

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    2. Hi Robbie, yes, us writers can be outgoing, life of the party, but we certainly need our alone time. I tend to get that walking outside in nature, where I do a lot of my contemplation/meditation. Too much chatter can be draining. Thanks for reading the interview 🙂

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  7. Such an interesting post from Lisa. gosh, what life-changing things we use for our writing. I really wish you all the best for the future and your writing. Fiction is a whole new ball game, as they say, have fun with it.

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    2. Hi Jane, thank you for your well wishes. Indeed our life experiences change us and writing is a great channel of expression. I really enjoy fiction writing and you’re right, it’s a whole different ball game.

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  8. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Friday December 13th 2019 – #Q&A D.G. Kaye with Lisa Thomson, #JackSparrow #Cookies Dolly Aizenman, #Redwine Christy Birmingham | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  9. Nice to see Lisa here! I have always admired her resilience and determination despite the challenges that life has thrown to her. Her fun loving spirit could inspire anyone trapped in the darkest realms. Her short stories: ‘Hearts Unbroken’ is a wonderful book. ‘Wine Diaries’ is next on my list and I think I would like to finish it before this year ends. 🙂
    Thank you Deb for this lovely interview of an inspiring writer, who writes from her heart.

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  10. Great interview! Thank you for sharing a bit of your vulnerability with the process of writing The Wine Diaries. We can all relate, in one way or another, about the fear that goes along with putting a book out there. Best wishes for your success!

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  14. What an interesting and perfect idea to pair wine with these tough life experiences. Certainly a good combo! The other thing I learned from reading your interview with Lisa, Debby, is that one memoir slice (divorce) can lead to many different stories, angles, and creative pursuits. Lisa must be really good at defining each of her projects (picking the right title is a great start,) and then solely working around that for each book. I think hiring a professional (memoir) editor is key to self-publishing. If you gals have found an amazing one that you are thrilled with and is relatively affordable, let me know. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much Liesbet. I’m glad you enjoyed Lisa’s interview. I love her books and can’t wait to read this one. AS far as editor goes, I’ve sent a few author friends to mine. I love my editor and she’s the most reasonably priced too – and, in Canadian dollars! When you’re ready just let me know. 🙂 x

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  15. Thank you so much, Liesbet. It’s been an interesting ride, for sure. My next non-fiction is humor and it’s about time! 😛 As for an editor, I am hoping to switch to Deb’s, providing she’ll have time for my next project. I liked mine well enough, however she is from the US and quite expensive.

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    1. Hey Lis, my editor lives in B.C.! Shoot me an email when you’re ready, she’s lovely and I usually give her a heads up when I’ve finished first draft and set a tentative booking time with her, it’s gets me a spot and keeps me in check with my scheduling. 🙂 x

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  16. Lisa, you are so brave to write about your divorce. I disguised my experience through fiction – Getting To Mr. Right and Missi’s Dating Adventures. I agree with you that divorce, however painful, also has its silver linings. Hey, we both got books out of it! ❤
    Your book title and cover is very interesting and although I've now been divorced for twenty years or so and don't usually gravitate towards books on divorce I like what Debby said that your wisdom can be applied to any kind of loss. Also, I like your clever idea of including wine.:)
    About your Borderline Hysterical being made into an HBO series. You know what they say. If you can dream it, you can do it. BTW Great Title.
    All the best.

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  17. Hi Carol, well, thank you so much for your encouragement. So, you’ve been in the trenches too. I like your titles and that you have put your experience into fiction. I will be checking those out! Yes, if we dream it we can do it 🙂 😀

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