Thanks to I Dare Me author Lu Ann Cahn for answering some of my questions today! And be sure to check out her book – on sale now!
1)
Why was I Dare Me a book you wanted to write?
I hoped to write something that would inspire other women to grab on to life again; to live full out. I knew that what I experienced wasn’t just anecdotal. Incorporating first time experiences in your life can be a prescription for “stuck.” I would be thrilled if groups of women start doing First time experiences together.
I’m also a long time survivor of breast cancer, kidney cancer and having my colon removed because of ulcerative colitis. I know how important it was for me when I was diagnosed each time to see long term survivors living active lives. I hope others in the midst of “battle” will find this book.
2)
What would you think some common fears are?
Fear of change in general. Fear of technology we don’t understand. Fear of social media that makes no sense to us. We fear becoming irrelevant, getting old and out of touch but that’s exactly what happens when we insist on sticking to our old ways and habits. We fear veering outside the day to day path we are on even if we know we are unhappy.
We fear the very things that could open up our world. Instead of being curious, we dismiss. We don’t want to ask for help. We forget our brains love to things, new information, new experiences. Firsts remind us how to be courageous and take risks again.
3)
What was the dare you were most excited about completing?
I was really looking forward to eating dessert all day long for a first. Couldn’t wait. That was horrible. Don’t do it.
4)
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
For me, it’s being disciplined and blocking out time. I work full time as a tv news reporter. I wrote most of this book in the early morning hours. Weekends I’d start at 6 am and go to 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I have to write first thing in the morning when I wake up. Of course if I don’t like what I’m writing, it doesn’t matter how many hours I sit at my lap top, it’s just not going to work. When that happens, I go to the gym and work out. The best ideas come to me when I’m not trying so hard. Sometimes, I leave in the middle of a class when I think of something so I can go write it down.
5)
What are your favorite genres to read?
I guess you wouldn’t be too surprised that I like lots of variety. I love fast paced mystery thrillers. I have a stack of self help books. I like short stories and science fiction. I like beautifully written novels and cookbooks. Sometimes I have two or three things going at the same time.
6)
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
You are never done. The best stuff really is outside of your comfort zone. When you stop doing things for the first time your life becomes a “flat line”….and you know what that means. If you are stuck and life seems like “Groundhog Day”, just doing one new thing can be the start of changing everything.
7)
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Social media is critical. Am I a pro at it? Nope. I’m on a big learning curve. But what I love about social media is I get to immediately connect with readers from anywhere. I enjoy the interaction far more than marketing online, but I work with some good friends who are constantly helping me tweak my social media skills.
I think it is harder to launch a book these days without establishing a platform and an audience online first. My daughter, who is a social media guru, is constantly chiding me that I’m not doing enough. She’s probably right.
8)
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
This is tough. I think Elizabeth Gilbert said this in an interview and I think it’s true; working on deadline as a journalist helps tremendously. As a tv news reporter, I write every day. I have to write quickly with little time to edit. There’s no time to look at a blank page…the clock is ticking.
I think the training you get as a journalist, regardless of whether it’s print, online or broadcast, teaches you discipline as a writer. When you finally sit down to write what you want, it feels like a delicious luxury.
About the Author:
Lu Ann Cahn is a reporter for Philadelphia’s WCAU-TV. She covers breaking news and investigative stories for NBC10 News. Cahn is an honorary board member of the Philadelphia chapter Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and serves as the annual emcee of the foundation’s main fundraising event, the Renaissance Ball. She also works extensively with Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
