Author Cyndi Lewis’ Simple Advice: Suck Less

I enjoyed catching up with the witty and motivated Cyndi Lewis.

During our conversation, I asked her to share insights into her life, her experience as an author, and details about her upcoming book.

Read on for a glimpse into our engaging discussion.

Cyndi’s Favorites:

• OPI Nail Color: Princesses Rule

• Quotes: “If everyone just sucked less, the world would be a better place,” and “You only have to change one life to change the world.”

• Guilty Pleasure: Salt and Pepper Pistachios from Sam’s Club and Animal Crackers

I’d love to learn more about you. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for?  What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?

In my 9-5, I do fundraising for a non-profit. What I love about the job is that we help people every day. Many people come to volunteer to experience that feeling of giving back, but I get to experience that feeling all the time, and it’s wonderful to know you’re making a difference.

I also volunteer in the community as the 6th term President of the Parent Teacher Organization in Hermantown and as the VP of Kiwanis of Duluth. People usually give back by donating time or money; since money hasn’t been abundant, I volunteer my time and skillset.

For a year, I also had my own non-profit called Just BakeCause. It was a charity where I would organize volunteer bakers to do surprise deliveries of goodies to local service organizations. I even had someone reach out to start a chapter in another state! I had to give it up when I started working full-time in an office, but I miss it. I make up for it by baking and giving it away, which is how it started in the first place.

The arts have always been in my blood. I have a BS degree in interior design from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

For most of my working life, I’ve been a graphic artist for my own business, but since moving away from design, I missed the artistic outlet, so I started North Shore Pebble Art.

Art always finds a way to come out one way or another. Photography is also a passion of mine, but there aren’t enough hours in the day.

However, my children are probably the most photographed children on the planet. When I call out their names, they automatically turn and smile even if I’m not taking their photo!

I’m proud of my accomplishments as an entrepreneur, my children and how wonderful they are turning out, and my ability to do anything I set my mind to.

What sets me apart from other people is my drive and my Type A+ personality. I’m the life of the party, but I get things done, and I get them done quickly. If making new friends was a medal to be earned, I’d have a gold one!

It’s a big week for you with the launch of your first book! Can you talk about the book project- its development, why you wrote it, what felt good, and what was a struggle?

I had actually written a book several years ago that I self-published, but I unpublished it a year or so ago because it pertained to a life I no longer live, and I’m not sure it was that great, LOL. In the back of my mind, I always thought, “If I write another book, I know exactly what I’ll do differently,” but the inspiration didn’t hit me until August of 2023. I was on the treadmill at 4:00 am (when and where my best ideas arise), and I thought of writing a self-help book about love.

After my workout, I flung open the bedroom door where my unsuspecting husband was asleep, and I proudly announced, “I’ve come to a decision!” Silence. 

“I’m going to write a book.”

He muttered something, and I responded with, “What, don’t you think I’ll do it?”

“No, I’m sleeping,” he muttered.

I started the book that day, and a month and three days later, it was off to publishers. Then I started a new business three days later… I needed another project.

I wrote this book because I felt like I was giving a lot of the same advice to women over and over again and because I had found the love of my life. I want everyone to be happy, so writing a guide just made sense.

There weren’t really struggles except for being unable to complete it in a day! Sometimes, the flow of information comes so fast that you can’t keep up, but it did feel good to read it and know it was done… done before editing!

I’d say that constructive criticism was probably the hardest part of the publishing process. I take things very personally and felt a little attacked and accused. Oh, and chapter three… which is now chapter 4. It was so controversial and had so many rewrites.

The frustration that this chapter caused me was epic, and I didn’t like the feedback I was getting.

However, I will say that after all of that turmoil, it did turn out better than it started.

Have you learned any interesting or unexpected lessons while writing a book? About the process? Yourself? 

I learned that I have more to learn when it comes to writing vs. speaking, even when writing in a conversational tone. The co-publishing process has been interesting and much more work than anticipated, but I’m enjoying it. I love anything that presents a new puzzle or challenge for me to solve.

As a bonus, I learned a great deal about my husband from this process as well… but that’s in the Epilogue chapter. What did I learn about myself? That’s a hard question to answer. Maybe I need to slow down a little and not race through things like I may or may not have with the first draft of the book.

How are you building your audience as an author? What marketing strategies resonate the best with you?

Building my audience has been a full-time job! I’ve been in marketing and design for almost two decades, so I knew what needed to happen. I designed a logo and a website and have been focusing on my Instagram platform to reach the broadest audience. Content creation is exhausting! I am also doing grassroots marketing by telling everyone– like EVERYONE – I meet or know about the book and getting them excited.

I’ve got most of the local TV stations on board for interviews and features, and I plan on reaching out to other publications.

There are no email lists or newsletters yet; I’m not sure those strategies are the best way to engage my target audience.

I will have a book signing at my launch party, and I would love to get my book into the local bookstores, but other signings… not sure yet. I’m just so busy.

What is your wildest dream for Suck Less at Love?

That’s a good question. Honestly, I’d love to be famous someday because of something I’ve worked hard at and accomplished… you know… book tours and major TV network interviews ��

I’d love for this book to be successful enough to make the next two in the series a reality.

Beyond that, though, the book is meant to help people find love. I’m an eternal optimist who believes in fairy tales… I’d love for the book to help people better their love lives.

What are your plans AFTER Suck Less at Love? Do you have more writing ventures up your sleeve?

I always have something up my sleeve. Suck Less at Parenting is underway. Interviews have been completed but not fully dictated into the text yet… there’s been no extra time!

After that book, I’d like to write Suck Less at Life.

Who knows after that? You can plan all you want in life, but sometimes, there are twists and turns you don’t foresee.

What advice do you have for anyone who thinks they might want to write a book but hasn’t started?

It’s funny; when you mention that you’ve written a book, many people reply with either, “I started writing a book” or “I have always wanted to write a book.”

Doing it and saying it are two very different things. Doing it involves putting yourself out there for the world to critique.

I’ve told my husband, “Everyone has at least one book in them,” to which he laughs and tells me I’m crazy and that most people aren’t that interesting.

“If you want to write a book, stop talking about it and do it,” Cyndi Lewis.

Contact Info

• Website: www.CyndiLewisAuthor.com

• Instagram @CyndiLewisAuthor

• Facebook @CyndiLewisAuthor

• Email: cyndilewisauthor@gmail.com

Book Cover Photography: Bailey Jo Photography @ www.baileyjophotographymn.com