Hello everyone! I “claimed my identity” on the Story Reading Ape before, but it’s been a long time, so I thought I’d stop by and reintroduce myself. But first I want to say a big thank you to Chris for this incredible resource for authors and readers alike. It’s amazing!

So who am I? My name is Lisa Kramer and am I an author, a theatre artist, an educator, a wife, a mother, a confused person trying to reinvent herself, and a person passionate about making this world a better place. That sounds like a lot of different people, doesn’t it? Sometimes I wonder how I manage to function when I have so many different people inside. 😉

I do it by writing, of course. Or directing, or creating art, or teaching or, simply talking. I do it by committing to live my life as passionately and fully as I possibly can. I try my best to challenge others to think about the world differently, and inspire others to make a difference in the world. I try, but sometimes I feel like I’m failing. Sometimes it seems like my voice is just a whisper in a world that has grown loud with anger, hate, and frustration.

I mention the failure because that sense of voiceless-ness was—in some ways—the seed for my young adult speculative fiction novel called P.O.W.ER. We live in a world where everybody seems to be battling for control using the weapons of brutality, guns, violence, religion, and money. I stand by and watch as the people who are in power continue to attempt to strip power from those they don’t think worthy, particularly women or minorities or people who think differently from them. I also watch as we feel powerless to make change—we feel our voices swallowed up in the mass of voices that yell louder, have more money, and step on everyone along the way.

This semester, as adjunct faculty at a university, I am teaching a first year studies seminar that looks at women, gender, and the arts . . . although it has morphed somewhat into looking at those issues in all fields and society as a whole. No surprise to me, the class is made up mostly of women with one lone male. I wish that could be different. In the beginning of the class though, I was disturbed and saddened by the voices of these young women who couldn’t understand why we needed feminism; thought most of the injustice in the world was getting better (even those based on sexual orientation and/or race); and didn’t think anything they could do would make a difference anyway.

My daughter is eleven, and I don’t want her growing up to live in a world where she feels her voice doesn’t matter. I do my best to try and show her how strong she is, and how much she has to offer the world. But, she’s a tween, and sometimes my words aren’t enough. Sometimes my actions aren’t enough. Sometimes I don’t model the behavior I wish for her. Sometimes I show my own fears. I’m not saying I shouldn’t—it’s good for her to see that you can be afraid and still fight for what you believe in. But sometimes it feels like I’m letting her down. So I write stories to encourage her to see the possibilities in this world for everyone.

If you are interested in learning more about me, you can find me in the following locations:

• Lisa A. Kramer: Woman Wielding Words my combination website/blog which contains pages for all of my creative work.
• Google+
• Twitter
• If you are interested in my theatre work, where I sometimes manage to combine my passion for writing with my belief in theatre for social change, visit my business blog heArtful Theatre Company
• Amazon (although please note that, for some reason, all my works don’t show up there): 
• UK – USA – Canada – Australia
• Goodreads
• Shelfari at LisaWieldsWords

I love to interact with people through my words, so I hope you will stop by and say hello. I invite you all to join me in celebrating the unsung abilities of people who strive to make the world a better place.

P.O.W.ER by Lisa A. Kramer

What would happen if women and girls joined their unique abilities to change the world? In a time where access to the written word is reserved to men, Andra BetScrivener’s ability to read and write must remain a secret, or she could lose her hands, her eyes or her life. At 17 she discovers that her abilities extend beyond reading: she can write events to life. Desperate to keep her powers hidden from both the government and a rebel group, she learns her words have the power to kill, threatening her father’s life and her own freedom. Andra’s fight empowers others to stop governmental oppression. But in a society ruled by lies, cruelty and inequality, her journey will not be easy or safe.

Amazon:

UK  –  USA –  Canada  –  Australia

For every book sold, $1.00 will be donated to causes that support women and children around the world!