Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures is excited to have as our guest, R. L. Wysong author of Living Life As If Thinking Matters, Solving The Big Questions As If Thinking Matters, The Creation-Evolution Controversy (now in its twelfth printing), as well as several books on nutrition, prevention, and health for people and animals, scientific articles on embryology, nutrition, health care, and surgical techniques, and monthly health newsletters since 1987.
Dr. Wysong has practiced veterinary surgery and medicine, taught college courses in human anatomy, physiology, and the origin of life, directed research for his health education and product development company, and guided the philanthropic non-profit Wysong Institute.
Good day Dr. Wysong and thanks for participating in our interview.
Norm:
When did you first consider yourself a writer? How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going?
Dr. Wysong:
I began in college by writing for a medical school publication. I also wrote journal articles and wrote my first book shortly after graduating. (That 1975 book done with a Selectric typewriter, white-out, press-on lettering, and my graphic art, I'm proud to say, is still in print and selling.) I write when I believe I have something important to say that will help people, animals, and the world. Enthusiasm for doing good keeps me inspired.
Norm:
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Dr. Wysong:
Books, journals, the Internet, life experience, and exasperation with the stupidity in the world.
Norm:
Can you briefly tell our readers something about your recent book Living Life As If Thinking Matters and what motivated you to write this book? As a follow up, is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?
Dr. Wysong:
The title really captures what I am trying to convey. After living a significant amount of life I came to realize that I had learned many things that I wished I had known when younger. I originally wrote it with my children in mind. Then, over the years of writing it, I came to feel that it would be of benefit to anyone with a probing mind and interested in self improvement. The primary message of the book is that most of us are trapped in beliefs and opinions that have never been carefully examined. There is such a thing as truth, and it does not vary with the individual. People suffer and the world suffers because people are making choices based on desires and unexamined beliefs, not reality. Our goal as humans must be to try to find that truth using what I call the SOLVER principles: Self responsibility, Open mindedness, Long view, Virtuous intent, Evidence, and Reason. Remaining open, constantly questioning, not settling on a dogma, and reaching for truth is what life is about and what this book is about helping people achieve.
Norm:
Do you write from your own experiences? If so, please explain.
Dr. Wysong:
Yes. I have lived an inquisitive, varied, and creative life. That has brought many useful experiences that drove me to write Living Life. I come from a lower middle class family, have worked at various jobs since in grade school, goofed around a lot in high school, put myself through 81/2 years of college and got serious about it, probed many aspects of religion, philosophy, and the origin of life, was a veterinary surgeon and practitioner, taught college human anatomy and origin of life classes, began many businesses that failed and succeeded, had no money and more money than I needed, built my own homes, had seven children, lost both parents, siblings, and other close loved ones, represented myself in court, invented over 500 medical, health, sports, and nutritional products, and run a national business and non-profit educational organization.
Norm:
It is said that writers should write what they know. Were there any elements of Living Life As If Thinking Matters that forced you to step out of your comfort zone, and if so, how did you approach this part of the writing?
Dr. Wysong:
My only discomfort with this book is that it will inevitably step on toes because no sacred cows are left sacred. I have been discouraged all along the way, and even told not to publish it for fear of the public backlash. My enthusiasm for the subject won over and I went ahead and did what I was not supposed to. I still worry about it being misunderstood by those who will not give it a fair cover to cover reading. But the way the world is going, what is said in this book definitely needs to be said. If only a few pay heed and the seed takes root, who knows what good could become of it.
Norm:
Do you worry about the human race?
Dr. Wysong:
Most definitely. That is what the book is about. The cure is all about thinking. If we would just put our reasoning faculties ahead of beliefs and desires we could transform Earth into a paradise in no time. That is my dream.
Norm:
How have you used the Internet to boost your writing career?
Dr. Wysong:
It is a fantastic research and writing aid. It is also a means to reach out to the public without having to go through the constricting and expensive conventional routes. My hope is that the AsIfThinkingMatters website and newsletter will reach millions and change the world. The Internet makes that a real possibility.
Norm:
How can our readers find out more about you and your books and is there anything else you wish to share with our readers that we have not covered?
Dr. Wysong:
Go to our AsIfThinkingMatters.com website and subscribe to the free newsletter. That will give ongoing information to help them become better thinking people.
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors
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