Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book.
When I finished college, I taught Theater for 20 years at several different universities and art schools. I then made the transition to corporate training and development, and for the next 20 years I did professional training on several subjects and directed learning management projects, ending up as a Director of Talent Development. Then I got laid off in 2010 (for the third time in six years), and haven’t been able to get a job since.
I started doing more and more around the house and eventually made it a full time career, developing fascinating and exciting approaches and techniques. (My family would describe them as “goofy and weird”.) But behind it all was my general attitude about any job: Play your work. So in an attempt to live what I had always taught — even in corporations — which was that you could do your work and live your life as a form of art, I started to write about the things I was doing and what fueled my notions about all of this stuff in the first place. And now I have a book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Laid Off and Crazy Happy – Memoirs of a Houseband.”
Here’s one of my book synopses I use that tells the backstory pretty well:
“This book was written on a dare and a lark.
One Summer day, while sitting in the shallow end of a public pool and extolling the merits of my unique approach to housework, my wife turned and said to me, “Why don’t you write about this stuff?” So I did. And my intent was to just capture some of that “uniqueness” which makes up my surprisingly enjoyable daily routine. It was just going to be a fun, diary-like thing that would perhaps preserve my uncanny strategies for posterity.
Little did I know that several months later I would be involved in actual book writing, and considering publishers and marketing campaigns. And while it was indeed fun, it became something of an obsession and accrued a life of its own. As I started to get feedback from friends, it turned into an authentic endeavor to describe not only my present activities but my whole life, and the way it has defined me and brought me to where I am now.
As of July 1, 2013, I have been out of the corporate workforce for exactly three years. The struggles and the joys of being home all the time drive the content of this book, but the real story is the way I do the things I do. My thinking, shaped by my experiences and my relentless optimism, guides my approach. And for all its peculiarity I honestly believe that others can benefit from a good dose of quirk in their work.
So for those that are recently out of work, and those that have been so for much longer than they expected, this is for you. But it’s also for those that find it hard to enjoy their situation in any situation. If the simple, everyday tasks of housekeeping can become the vehicle for the best parts of us — and they can — then that’s true for anything we do. The upshot of this book is that it offers a way to help others see things differently and live their lives with more playful joy than they might imagine possible. Which is what I think everyone wants. So, logically, everyone will like this book.”
The real inspiration for this book was my lifelong dedication to helping others do what they do with more joy, more passion, more creativity and more playfulness. It’s what I love the most, and I sincerely believe that it’s easier than most people think.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in bursts, usually lasting anywhere from an hour or so to 8 or 9 hours straight. Not much discipline… mostly inspiration. And I only write when I have something to say, or when I’ve been slapped on the side of the head with an idea or realization of some kind.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Very eclectic. Many of the classics, lots of plays and books by actor/directors, early science fiction, a few random novels. But what I enjoy reading the most is non-fiction, historical and philosophical works. Comparative religion, progressive scientific thought, Eastern Philosophy, mythology, occultism and spirituality, even some New Agey stuff.
Even recent works on Quantum Mechanics and Theoretical Physics, written for the layman. Some very exciting stuff there.
What are you working on now?
Marketing. It’s extremely painful. Although I have never had any problem talking about what I do and the things I think about, the whole self-promotion thing is a real challenge, and I don’t know much at all about it. If I had the money I would definitely pay someone else to do it. I need to find someone who would be willing to work for a percentage of my eventual smash success of a business. (hint)
I’m also considering writing a blog, but it’s pretty exhausting just filling out this interview form.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As mentioned, I’m new to the art of S.S.L. (Shameless Self Promotion). I’m getting an real education on marketing and promotional techniques and tools, and it’s been very interesting. Lots of incredibly helpful people out there sharing the benefits of their experience and knowledge. But the possibilities are endless, and there’s a lot of work yet to do.
So far the best efforts I’ve made have been with Amazon and Goodreads, and the author assistance programs they have. I’ve yet to see how my other attempts at getting attention will do. I’ve really just started. I just published in October and in the last two months I’ve done two book release events, which have been great for getting the ball rolling. Facebook has been very helpful, too. But my real focus is on how to develop my professional speaking business, presenting both on the book and on several other topics. I consider myself as much a professional speaker as an author. (Been speaking for over 20 years, but this is my first foray into the wonderful world of writing.)
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your homework. Besides the options of self-publishing or going with the big publishing houses, there’s a ton of stuff out there about blogging, social media, author communities and groups, and marketing. Read it all, but don’t get too freaked out about all the choices. Just start making some. And expect things to move slowly. With some good research and a solid plan you should do fine.
Oh, and I always think you should play your work, like a musician plays an instrument. Much more fun that way, and will most likely produce better work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Worry is a misuse of the imagination.
What are you reading now?
Grave Matters by Mark Harris
Lighting the Eye of the Dragon by Dr. Baolin Wu
The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
Monsters and Magical Sticks by Steven Heller and Terry Lee Steele
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to be on Ellen.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to Survive on a Desert Island”
“Making Sea Food with No Equipment”
“Things To Do in the Desert”
Author Websites and Profiles
Andy Weisberg Website
Andy Weisberg Amazon Profile
Andy Weisberg’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile