Interview with writer Jennifer Cramer-Miller

Writer Jennifer Cramer-Miller joins me today to chat about her memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope.

Bio:
Jennifer is an author and speaker, focusing on stories of hope. She serves as the 2023-2026 Board Chair for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Serving Minnesota, an NKF PEER Mentor, and a Donate Life ambassador.

As a writer and patient advocate, (called Joy Scouter) her mission is to help others manage uncertainty, move forward with hope, and find some joy.

Jennifer Cramer-Miller’s memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope launched on August 15th, and is available for order at incurable-optimist.com. Her essays are featured in Zibby Mag, Brevity Blog, The Sunlight Press, Grown & Flown, The Erma Bombeck Blog, Star Tribune, Minnesota Physician, Mamalode, and Medium. To learn more, visit her at jennifercramermiller.com.

Welcome, Jennifer. Please tell us about your current release.
The story of Incurable Optimist starts in Seattle when I was twenty-two—full of promise with a new job, best friend, and cozy new apartment. Then I was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease, and suddenly, my chances of survival hinged upon expert doctors, selfless strangers, and benevolent loved ones. This life-affirming journey explores this the tightrope of uncertainty. How could I let go of the life I’d planned and accept the one I had?

What inspired you to write this book?
Two things.

1. My daughter. Despite my health challenges (four kidney transplants), it’s a wonder that I miraculously had a successful pregnancy. So, I started writing this memoir when my daughter was younger, so she’d have a written record of how magical it is to be intertwined together in this world.

2. Ellen DeGeneres and Madonna. Silly as it sounds, a conversation between Ellen and Madonna pushed me over the finish line. They discussed how Madonna supported Ellen in telling her coming-out story. Madonna underscored that if Ellen didn’t share it, it would be lost to the world.

That struck me. What if a wayward bus toppled me one day and my daughter never knew our story from my perspective? This imaginary bus merged with Madonna’s encouragement to Ellen and lit my writing fire. Thank goodness, because now my daughter can hold our lucky and loving story in her hands.

What exciting project are you working on next?
I’m so inspired by people helping people. My work as the Board Chair for the National Kidney Foundation, Serving MN, and as a Donate Life Ambassador, gives me a front-row seat to the best of humanity. There are heroes amongst us that volunteer to donate their kidneys to strangers, out of the goodness of their hearts. My next book will explore the amazing connections between us and the ripples of kindness that make this world a better place. I love stories of hope.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
What a great question. I know emerging writers who are shy about saying they’re a writer. They don’t feel they’ve crossed the threshold of success to claim that label. But I believe writers write. So, I was a writer as a book-producing elementary school kid. I was a copywriter producing marketing materials. Writing is my favorite thing. During the last eight years, however, I’ve published many essays, and that makes me feel extra writerly. And now, as I celebrate the publication of Incurable Optimist, I’m delighted to add published author to my writing resume.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I juggle a lot of balls. Every day it’s a toss-up between my nonprofit work, my writing career, a bit of consulting with custom home clients, friends and family, and medical maintenance. (#incurable.) It’s busy, but I love all the things I do and I’m so grateful I’m healthy and here to do it!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I make a mess with words. An idea or concept comes to me like a blob of clay. I start by spilling that clay into a word document, knowing it will be unwieldy. Then I keep thinking, writing, and refining. This mess slowly tidies up, and the sculpture takes shape. I’d love to write a clean and beautiful piece right off the bat, but it takes a lot of molding to get it to where I like it.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was in fourth grade, my mom’s friend asked me, what do you want to be when you grow up? My answer? A writer. My career journeyed into the custom home business, something I love, and I wrote plenty of copy in that job. Now, I reflect on that fourth-grade answer as Incurable Optimist launches, and I’m celebrating that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I love memoirs because I think we find ourselves in each other. Idiosyncratic stories can tap universal truths. And aren’t we all just muddling through our lives together? We all try to manage uncertainty, harness hope, and find joy. Books and stories provide the perfect vehicle to let us escape and connect at the same time.

Links:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Joy Scouter Instagram | Book site