We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Cramer-Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

Thank you! I’m delighted to share how my career as an author, writer, and speaker has unfolded. First, my “why” stems from a powerful motivation—I want to connect us to the beauty and bummers of being human. How do we juggle hardships, hopes, and happiness? How do we keep it together when we’re falling apart? Through various forms of storytelling, I shape idiosyncratic experiences into universal stories of hope.

The route was circuitous because my education and background are in business. I earned an M.B.A. and worked for decades in a family custom home firm, where, besides client work, I was the designated office writer. (Ad copy, brochures, client communications.) Ten years ago, a new owner stepped in, and although I’m still involved as a consultant, I took a leap into building my book and essay writing career.

But an idea (I’m going to become an author and writer now) requires execution—the wings that lift it into flight. That’s how the magic soars.

First things first, I worked hard to hone my craft. How? I enrolled in writing classes, joined a writing community, and participated in retreats. Write, write, write. Also read, read, and read. And write, write, write some more. Then I started pitching my pieces.

Rejection is inherent to any creative profession. But I kept my chin up whenever I received a thumbs down. I told myself to keep going. It only takes one yes, and I never lost sight of my goal.

Plus, I dove deep into writing my memoir about managing the uncertainty of a long-standing incurable chronic illness, while holding onto hope and finding joy. Late nights and long hours, I poured my soul into my work. And I’m pleased to say persistence pays off. I’ve placed a series of published essays, my memoir, Incurable Optimist is widely available, and I’ve had the privilege of speaking to a variety of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to conferences to non-profit organizations.

Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello everyone! My name is Jennifer Cramer-Miller, and I am an author + writer + speaker, and an optimism advocate. (This I know, optimists have more fun.) For every writing project I dive into, I strive to provide one (or more) of five takeaways. (I call them my five E’s.)

Enlighten. Encourage. Entertain. Evoke. Educate. I believe that effective writing connects us, and we find ourselves in each other’s stories.

Speaking of stories, my memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope was a joy to write. I’m blown away by many lovely accolades—a Publishers Weekly starred review, an International Impact Book Award, a Book Excellence Award, a BookFest Award, an IPPY award, a Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist Award, a Living Now Award Bronze Medal, and a National Indie Excellence Finalist Award.

These recognitions feel so validating. A top highlight happened when (as a BookFest award winner) my book cover rotated with others on the NASDAQ billboard in Manhattan’s Times Square. That definitely hit my list of things never expected!

But the most rewarding of all is the connection I’ve had with my readers. I shared my spirit (and humor) in this book, digging into how to let go of the life we’ve planned and accept the one that waits. And the number of people who have reached out to say, I relate, feels astounding. We all experience life’s uncertainties, and if we keep moving forward, we can do it!

You’ll also find my essays peppered online on sites such as HuffPost, Zibby Mag, Brevity Blog, The Sunlight Press, Next Avenue, Grown & Flown, The Erma Bombeck Blog, Star Tribune, Minnesota Physician, Mamalode, and Medium.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Sure. There’s a proverb I like, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” I not only apply this to setbacks in health and life, but to my writing career. So, let’s circle back to that rejection element that tags along with many creative pursuits. I auditioned two times for an essay reading event, similar to the well-established Moth in New York City. The selection committee chooses writers to read their pieces to a live audience, and the auditions are competitive. Both times my piece did not get selected.

And both times, I didn’t stop there. I knew the pieces had merit and would find a home if I didn’t give up. I’m happy to tell you that these essays found another home and were published. That’s why it’s so important to chase your goals and don’t give up.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. Our culture leans toward making everything glossy, and glossy is fine, but it’s not the total picture. We rarely talk about the hard parts. There’s a famous Brené Brown Ted Talk in which she encourages us to see vulnerability not as weakness, but as courage that connects us.

Well, at book events and speaking engagements, I’ve experienced this. Sharing my story opens people up to share their stories. It’s liberating to share the whole picture beyond the glossy parts. The grief, the goodness, the gratitude, the hard parts, the truth, and the chronic hope. The full experience of being human fascinates me, and I want to keep these conversations going through writing, speaking, and showing up. There’s a profound sense of inspiration and belonging when we realize we’re all in it together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jennifercramermiller.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercramermiller/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercramermillerauthor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercramermiller/
• Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercramermillerauthor/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jennifercramermiller?app=desktop

Image Credits

Belu Photography