WITS Team Showcase - Lisa Norman
The Tech Whisperer: Bridging the Gap Between Code and Creativity
When we started these showcase posts, I watched everyone else in awe, feeling a bit like a cat hiding under the bed. I’m comfortable behind the scenes. I like the gears, the plugins, and the invisible architecture that makes an author’s digital world spin. I love the work I do, but I’m not used to having it in the spotlight.
As I watched my teammates peel back the curtain, I realized that while you all know me as the “tech person” here at WITS, that’s only the scaffolding. You might as well know the rest of what I do.
Who I Am
I’m Lisa Norman, though in the writing world I go by Deleyna Marr.
It’s rare for someone to use their college degree, much less one as weird as mine. I have a degree in Creative Writing and Medieval Literature with a minor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, as well as another minor in Anthropology with an emphasis on Archaeology.
My parents were NOT impressed with my three-fold degree. I remember my mother saying, “Well, now you can dig ditches.” I laughed and pointed out that at least they’d be perfectly straight with 90-degree angles.
Yeah, she was not impressed.
I was one of the first students to get that Computer Science minor, the whole industry was so new. My school actually didn’t offer it until the year after I graduated, but my advisors said I’d met all the requirements and to list it on my credentials.
Professionally, I’ve continued my multi-faceted approach to life:
Owner of Heart Ally Books, LLC:
An exclusive, independent, collaborative publishing company focused on guiding selected new authors into the marketplace. Translation: I publish books I love, work with authors I adore, and have probably the best job in the world. Seriously, sometimes I have to stop everything else and read a book. That’s my job.
Founder of the No Stress Writing Academy:
A small online school for writers. The goal is for writers to bring their stress-inducing problems to us, and we give them the solution. My amazing instructors walk through the process with each student. So, for example, if a student is stressed by their web presence, they leave with a website. If you’re curious, I offer a free demo class, Marketing 101. I’ve shared a bunch of the material here on WITS. Go, take the class and design a marketing plan that fits your goals.
Recovering Web Dev:
I ran Deleyna’s Dynamic Designs for years, still do, technically, although I’ve reduced my clients by over half during the couple of years, deliberately. The website industry for writers is changing rapidly, and it makes more sense for most of my clients to enjoy the new, easier-to-use platforms than to remain with me. I’m happily transitioning them into spaces where they don’t need me all the time!
The Storyteller:
Theoretically, my number one job is to be a writer. Okay, let’s face it, I’m terrible at this. I was featured on Jaime Buckley’s podcast with the topic of “Confessions of the Nearly Done Author.”
I’ve published two novels (one fantasy, one modern-adventure/paranormal). Both are the first in a series.
I’ve got the trilogy drafted for the fantasy and the next book in the paranormal about half way drafted. In addition, I’m working on a light-hearted sci-fi series called “The Spaceport” with the first 6 books drafted. No, I’m not proud of that! One of my goals this year is to clear my plate of other work and enjoy my creative writing.
I’ve also got two non-fiction books out: Reflections from the Mirror: A Journey into Art, AI, and the Creative Soul and The Work of Joy: Dancing with Creative Fire. You can find my most recent articles on my Substack where you can watch me write. Supporters also get access to Ask Me Anything meetings.
I live on Camano Island in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, grown daughter, and three cats (Rocky, Trapeze, and Ember). I’ve got three kids and three grandkids as well. Apparently, three is some sort of magic number with me.
I’m a woman who believes that the right tool—whether it’s an electric screwdriver, a piece of software, or a well-placed plot point—can change everything.
The Tech-to-Text Pipeline
For a long time, I kept my tech brain and my writer brain in separate rooms. Tech was about software versions, manuscript formatting, and making sure the “buy” button actually worked. Writing was about the Spaceport series and the quiet, internal journey of The Work of Joy.
But recently, the walls between those rooms have crumbled.
I’ve realized that tech isn’t the enemy of creativity; it’s a multiplier, an extension of my own ideas. When an author is terrified of their website or baffled by some publishing platform, their creativity shuts down. It curls up in a corner. My job—my joy—is to handle the “how” so they can get back to the “why.”
How “No Stress” Became My Mission
I’ve seen too many brilliant writers stalled by the mechanics of the industry. That’s why I shifted from just “building sites” to “teaching systems.”
To understand my no-stress journey, you need to understand that I have an autoimmune condition. Me + stress = waking up in a hospital, trying to figure out where I am and how I got there. I once woke up with a stuffed Ewok sitting on my chest. (My friend’s attempt to help me wake up without the terror that often came in those moments. Yes, it worked.)
What’s funny is that I actually love stress-laden situations. I thrive on tech challenges… emotionally. But physically, that path will always end in disaster for me. Quickly. I’ve had to impose a strict no-stress rule on my businesses and my life, simply to survive.
Through the No Stress Writing Academy and Heart Ally Books, I focus on the author's journey. Whether I’m helping a client update a website or helping a writer find the emotional core of their non-fiction, the goal is the same: success without stress.
What I’ve found is that while others may not collapse from stress, it affects their creativity and their success. I love helping stressed-out authors find joyful solutions.
What My Creative Life Looks Like Today
My days are a mix of code and characters. I might spend the morning troubleshooting a client’s website or branding and the afternoon deep in formatting. I once had an intern sit next to me during an average workday. He was stunned at the variety of the challenges that came across my desk: part tech-support, part creative muse, part cheerleader.
The Work of Joy is my most recent book. It came from the heart of my experiences spending years working in the trenches with authors and creatives. Stress and depression can stifle a writer’s spark. Joy can fuel them and give them the power to change the world, not just for themselves, but for all the people their work touches.
A Special Offer for the WITS Community
Because I believe the world needs your stories more than it needs you to be frustrated by your tech, I want to help you clear the digital cobwebs.
I’m giving away 3 classes to people who answer in the comments. You’ll be able to choose from my most popular course: “Awesome Author Website Basics” or my recently updated “It’s a Wonderful Writer’s Life”. The three winners will also receive an ePub copy of The Work of Joy.
To enter, comment below with: “I’m ready for a No-Stress moment” and let me know what the biggest stress in your writing life is.
I’ll pick three winners on Monday morning.
* * * * * *
About Lisa Norman
Lisa Norman (writing as Deleyna Marr) is the owner of Heart Ally Books and the No Stress Writing Academy. A veteran of the web development world, she now focuses on helping indie authors navigate the technical and professional hurdles of the publishing industry. When she isn’t fixing broken plugins or writing sci-fi, she can be found in her garden on Camano Island or arguing with her three cats about who actually owns the office chair. Find her at Deleyna.com or on Substack.
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58 comments on “WITS Team Showcase - Lisa Norman”
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“I’m ready for a No-Stress moment” I'm feeling a lot of self-generated stress and it increases when I read the firehose of advice about what I should be doing to increase sales, clarify my branding, reach readers, write better books, etc. It is overwhelming and I react like deer in headlights by freezing and getting nothing done. I think I've lost the joy of being a creative.
You're in the drawing, Lisa! And we definitely need to help you rekindle that joy!
Thanks, Lisa, for helping me have more "no stress" moments with all the tech behind being a writer.
You're very welcome, Sylvie! You're such a joy to work with! And I love your cozy books!
I loved getting to know you better through this post. I love the way you embrace both sides of your brain for one purpose and your passion for helping authors succeed! I also sooo identify with your “cat under the bed” analogy.
Thanks, Edie! That's definitely me. My first instinct is often to hide. But I love what I do!
So nice of you to come out of hiding, so we could get to know you, Lisa. I always enjoy your posts and I thank you for your generosity!
Thanks, Lori! Did you want to be in the drawing?
This series is like the most fun ever for our team. WE get to find out all the cool stuff too.
I love learning about aaaall the things you do. (P.S. I was already impressed, but now I'm extra extra impressed. )
And P.P.S. The alliteration in this post knocked me out! It was amazeballs...and so are you. 🙂
ROFL, Jenny! And yep, alliteration is my favorite and most commonly used rhetorical device.
🙂 🙂
Im ready for a no-stress moment.
Yay, Kathleen! You're in the drawing!
Loved it.
...I knew all this, but I love that everyone else can now learn how awesome you are.
You are one of my favorite human beings, Lisa.
That Spaceport needs more attention.
No, I won't stop bring it up.
Since im NOT a Big Sci-Fi reader, that should be a hint.
(grin)
I know, I know. And the 'Port is calling to me. It will happen. Soon.
Wonderful post, Lisa!
I think I can use your Marketing 101 class. As far as stress, it's a toss-up between marketing and learning all the new software. Too much changing too quickly!
Ellen, that's a big part of our modern world... things changing so quickly. If you haven't heard of just-in-time learning, I want to give you that gift. Just-in-time means you don't have to learn anything until you need to use it, because otherwise it will change before you get there and you'll have to learn it all again! Definitely go and take that Marketing 101 class - it's free. And it helps writers understand how the different pieces fit together so they can decide not only what to do... but what they don't have to do!
Yes, do WE get to be in the drawing. Probably not. That's the only thing about being in charge that's the big bummer. Great drawings...that we can't enter.
Ah well. You DO have my number, though...
I'd been waiting for you to show up in the Showcase. 🙂 I also loved learning more about you. I'm forever grateful to you for helping me exit my then-steady descent into deeper levels of website hell.
ROFL. Always happy to rescue someone from that (or any!) hell!!! You know you CAN enter the drawing...
Hokay. 🙂 Thanks, Lisa.
I'm ready for a no-stress moment.
Actually, that's totally true. Even as I'm free of website hell. 🙂 As Roseanne Roseannadanna said on SNL back in the day, "It's always sumthin'." LOL
Then you're in, Rhonda!
I'm most definitely ready for a stress free moment! It was so encouraging to see all the aspects of what you do showcased so beautifully. Also, I love seeing the integration of your life! We've known each other a long time - it has been and continues to be quite a journey. I am so proud of you!
Hugs, Holly! And you deserve some stress free time! I'll add you to the drawing.
Hi, Lisa. It's good to learn more about you. You certainly work hard.
I find my biggest cause of stress is too much to do. I also have a husband who thinks of my writing as a 'hobby.' Consequently, he thinks everything else should come first. (It would be different if I were earning a reasonable amount from my writing, I suspect.)
So, I'm ready for a novice stress moment.
What is going on with autocorrect. A NO stress moment. That's what I typed.
LOL - autocorrect is a nightmare. You're definitely in the drawing, Vivienne!
Aw, Lisa. What do I even say? You are such a gem for the writing community and for me, personally. Now, about those books...
LOL. You know it, Ami. You may have to bully me while I'm bullying you!
Are you _sure_ you live a no stress life? Whew. Sounds like a lot of stress to me. Thank goodness you've figured out how to handle it all. I definitely need to learn to be better at that.
I've taken your website building course. It was Awesome! Truly. I learned a lot. And I still use skills you taught me.
Hey, Lynette. A joy to see you! Want to be in the drawing?
I'd love to be included in the drawing but I'm currently in a class that is taking a fair chunk of time (not writing but helping me plan and use my time better). And part of using my time better is not over-committing myself. So thanks, but not this time. Someday...
You know how to find me when you are ready!
Nice to get to know you — more about you. Thanks for what you do!
Hi, Gale! I've been hard at work on the book project we share and I continue to be impressed with your skills!
Trapeze... love the name! (My cats are named Tinsel, Binx, Josie, Calliope, Mama, Evie, and Ozzy. But I swear I'm not a crazy cat lady!)
I am perpetually stressed. I know I'm not unique in juggling family, work, volunteerism, and writing. I have a type-A personality and I feel guilty when I don't use spare time effectively, which is why I rarely watch TV or movies. I have found that when I'm overwhelmed (which is often now), I shut down, meaning I am not efficient when it comes to writing. I'm a pantser and I will happily fall down a rabbit hole of research. But, sadly, that translates to hen-pecking new words on the page.
All that to say, I admire you and your ability to wear so many hats, including giving amazing marketing advice here on WITS.
Oh, we had a Mama, too. She was the sweetest cat. Trapeze got his name because as a kitten he was the most likely to be flying through the air with the greatest of ease at any moment...
I was born a Type-A. Doctors had a long talk with me early on about how that was all well and good, but if I wanted to live to be 20, I needed to rethink that whole Type-A thing.
So would you like to be in the drawing, Jennifer?
Trapeze is my new favorite name!
Sure...on the drawing.
My own mother has been telling me for years to let some things go. Just because I can, doesn't mean I should. But I'm still doing it, and I know I shouldn't. Ugh...
You are a fascinating and multi-talented woman, Lisa! I'm so grateful to Gale Leach for introducing us. You are the yin to my tech-challenged yang!
Louise, I'm having fun with our project!
Lisa, every time I see you've posted on WITS, I'm here in a heartbeat. Your advice always rings true for me. It's a delight to learn more about you!
Thank you so much!
So excited to see you back, forgot. Oh, hells yes I’m ready for a No-Stress moment. The biggest stress in my writing life is switching from editing to drafting again. They are SO different!
Cordia, they are definitely different!
And you are in the drawing!
enjoyed learning more about you.
(no need to count me for the giveaway)
Thanks, Denise!
It was so wonderful learning more about YOU!!! I loved reading this. You are an amazing woman, human, writer, tech support, cat mom, and more. No need to add me to the drawing, it should go to others who maybe haven’t gotten to spend as much time with you as I have. But yeah, stress free moments sound fabulous.
Hugs, Anna. Yep, finding ways to keep stress down can be a challenge!!!
I'm ready for a no stress moment!
I miss you.
The fog of grief is lifting. I'm struggling with writing, doubt, "is it worth it thinking", and thoughts of " but you like it".
Signed up for the class. Maybe, just maybe, it will be the kick in the pants I need.
I am so honored to call you friend.
You're in the drawing, Nona.
And I'm sending you hugs. I think the best reason to write is because it is a part of who we are. If it helps us find joy, that's more powerful than any other reason.
Loved this honest sharing. Kudos to you for getting that degree and accomplishing all you have...while struggling with an autoimmune condition. That's strength, girlfriend. Keep it up! And all the best to you.
Thanks, Julie! Nice to see your pixels!
What an interesting bio! I love finding commonalties—I was one class away from a Medieval Studies minor, and my even with all of my creative writing degrees and studies of pedagogy, my daughter said I should have been in I.T. I was always the go-to person regarding computers, software, formatting, and spreadsheets at school and among writer friends. Was 2 classes away from being a junior accounts earlier in life. What fun. I bet you’re never bored.
Diana, that is awesome!! Definitely never bored. I still love learning. But it makes it hard to focus on just one thing!
And the winners are...
Kathleen Saunders,
Vivienne, and
Winona Cross!
Congratulations! I'll contact you later today, get you the epub, and find out which class you'd like!
Thanks you to all of the folks who entered and commented. This was fun!
Absolutely love this post, Lisa! I'm amazed by your multiple talents and focus on joy in the stress-is-everywhere world of today! Thank you for sharing your journey, it's inspirational and reassuring. My best to you!
Thanks, Anne!