Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a first time author with my well reviewed memoir, MS Madness! A “Giggle More, Cry Less” Story of Multiple Sclerosis. I’ve also been published in the anthologies Something on Our Minds Volumes 1-3 and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding My Faith. My children’s Christian play, The Best Birthday Ever, has been performed in six different countries and been translated into Spanish. Pretty exciting since I didn’t start writing seriously until five years ago when MS forced me to leave my job.
What I’ve discovered is that I’m actually a humorist. I make fun of the crazy in life with my blog at yvonnedesousa.com Making fun of the insanity keeps me from going insane.
I’m single and blessed to live in Cape Cod, MA near one of Dr. Beaches top 10 beaches in the country. When I’m not writing or laughing I’m usually reading or resting.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MS Madness! A “Giggle More, Cry Less” Story of Multiple Sclerosis
The inspiration for this one was easy. My little brother and I were leaving the hospital after I had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he turned to me and said. “You know, you could totally get one of those handicapped parking plates now. Even if you don’t want to use it right away you could let me borrow it.”
What was so striking about his comment was that he was a 21 year old semi pro dirt bike rider who drove a huge Ford F150 with two dirt bikes in the bed. I pictured him and his monstrosity of a vehicle backing into a handicapped parking spot and I doubled over with laughter. And I felt better. The laughing didn’t take away the fear or the pain but it sure helped.
In the days that followed MS brought so many crazy circumstances into my life that I realized that chronic illness was going to so insane that I would go insane if I didn’t learn to laugh at it. And MS Madness! was born.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to do my best writing in the shower. I little TMI I know but it’s the truth. I wrote my entire Christian play in the shower. It was a long shower with hair conditioning and leg shaving (way too much TMI) but it was complete. I jumped out soaking wet, threw on a robe and started typing. And the play was done. I wrote that so quickly that I give total credit to God for sending it to my brain but there is definitely something to the shower. If I’m working on a particular thought or chapter I try to think about just before I get ready to shower and it usually helps.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Growing up I loved to read and my favorite authors were Lois Duncan, Judy Blume and S.E. Hinton. Their art of storytelling in itself influenced me and made me admire their talent. Now I tend to go for suspense authors such as Gillian Flynn, Harlan Coben, and Lisa Unger. But for the humor component I’ve recently discovered Dave Barry and am in love! I can’t believe I had never read his work before and have a lot to catch up on.
What are you working on now?
Recently I’ve felt compelled to write about my first love, a wonderfully kind man with a gentle soul, gorgeous looks and an addiction to crack cocaine. It’s definitely not a humor book. But growing up in the small coastal town that we did provides a setting all it’s own and it is becoming an important coming of age story. And I feel that it’s a story I need to tell, no matter whether I decide to publish it or not. But to keep my world and writing lighthearted I also still write for my chronic illness humor blog.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It may be passe’ at this point but I still love Facebook. With so many various groups I’ve had a lot of luck posting reviews, contests, appearances and other news on FB. It’s dangerous though- it can be such a time suck if you let it and I have to admit, I do let it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Listen to everything everyone tells you and but know when to ignore everything everyone tells you. You are going to get a lot of advice on this journey and it’s important to truly hear it, process it and accept it even if you don’t like it. At the same time, what works for some doesn’t always work for others and you know yourself and your work best. It’s a difficult balance but it’s crucial to listen to your heart while making sure you are not just dismissing what’s being suggested because you don’t like it. We all have a lot to learn but if something doesn’t feel right it may not be for you. The tricky part is knowing the difference.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe
I’m not sure when I was first given that advice and don’t think I can expand on it much. But I will say that to have belief in God, yourself, your dreams is to have a purpose, a reason for being.
If we don’t believe in something what do we have?
What are you reading now?
I’m slow to catch up on the latest best reads so I only just finished The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and I loved it. I’m starting Precious Thing by Colette McBeth.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m on an emotional road with my current writing and want to keep at it. Then I will have to decide if I want to pursue publication. I also have an idea for a preteen book based on Cape Cod history that I keep thinking about.
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?
First and foremost, the Bible. I will never be done reading that. Plus it’s a big one so it would keep me busy and inspired for a long, long time.
Life by Keith Richards also because it’s long and inspiring but in a completely different way than the Bible. And because it would keep great music in my soul if I didn’t have a way to hear great music. And a couple of Dave Barry books to keep me laughing.
Author Websites and Profiles
Yvonne deSousa Website
Yvonne deSousa Amazon Profile
Yvonne deSousa’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account