Take a writing class. It is important to write in a way that connects the readers to you. I ended up taking a writing class in the middle of my book which really helped me to write as I talk.
Aspart of my series on the “5 Things You Need To Know To Write A Bestselling Book” I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Sanda Moldovan.
Dr. Sanda Moldovan, the founder of Beverly Hills Dental Health and Wellness, is an award-winning periodontist, nutritionist, and world-renowned oral health and wellness expert. She tirelessly advocates non-narcotic alternatives for healing, which is the subject of her new book, Heal Up! Seven Ways to Faster Healing and Optimum Health.
As the developer of the Orasana product line, she continues to make significant advancements in achieving greater personal oral health care with probiotic supplements and home dental care products for adults and childrens’ teeth and gums. In addition to being double board-certified in periodontics and nutrition, she is recognized as a leading authority on natural and safe anti-aging solutions.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you share a story about what brought you to this particular career path?
Patients asked me, “Dr. Sanda, what pill can I take to heal faster from gum disease? What about for my bone to regenerate around teeth?” Supplements may help, but it’s not enough. So I decided to write a book about lifestyle choices and natural therapeutic approaches for people to implement when in need of healing. That’s how I became an author.
Can you share the most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career?
Rita came to me because she read my book. Her gums were sloughing and red. I noticed she also had a rash on her skin. She told me she has gone to many dermatologists, got several medications, but nothing helped. She wanted a natural way to heal. I put her on a gluten-free diet and some anti-inflammatory botanicals and in 2 weeks she had a dramatic improvement in her oral health as well as her rash was starting to disappear. A couple of months later she was fully healed.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting?
I hired a ghostwriter in the beginning. When I got the first chapter, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It didn’t sound like me at all. It sounded like a high school student. So clearly it wasn’t the way to go for me, but I got a good laugh out of it.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I am working on a new book to teach children about oral health, for them to understand the importance of a healthy mouth, and that we need good bacteria to thrive.
I am also working on a Chewable probiotic for oral health. I have been following all the research on friendly bacteria for the mouth and all the fascinating discoveries I know how these little microorganisms help decrease cavities, inflammation, bad breath and much more.
Can you share the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
Maria had a problem with sleeping. She also started putting weight around her waist, having hormonal imbalance, and high blood pressure. She had a sleep study in which she was diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. After we made her a dental device to wear at night to advance the lower jaw forward, her sleep apnea improved significantly. As a result, her blood pressure dropped, hormone levels adjusted, and she started losing weight. Of course, adhering to a healthier diet also helped, but what most people don’t know is that sleep apnea is so detrimental to one’s health.
What is the main empowering lesson you want your readers to take away after finishing your book?
We are what we eat, digest, and absorb. So many chronic diseases, including gum disease, heart disease, are a result of our lifestyle. Ultimately, health is in our hands mostly. Genetics definitely play a role, however, genes can be turned on and off based on the environment. So we get to choose the environment.
Which people in history inspire you the most?
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” Hippocrates said thousands of years ago. The Greek medical philosophers are inspiring because they were treating the patient’s mind, body and spirit, as a whole. We are now getting back to what they taught back then because we realize it’s the only way to achieve optimum health.
Which literature do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from natural health books. We have so many talented doctors in the realm of integrative medicine. I constantly learn from opening up one of these books. For example, the first book I read called Conscious Eating, by Gabriel Cousins, MD, I still open occasionally and I still learned something from it. This book opened up my appetite to learn more in this field.
How do you think your writing makes an impact in the world?
I’ve gotten great feedback for people who read my book Heal Up!. The comment I keep hearing is that “there’s something in it for everyone.” Little changes can make a big difference in someone’s health. I want to empower people to live a healthier life and spread the word regarding natural healing.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an author like you?
Today is easier than ever to become an author. If you have a message that you’re passionate about, you can put it in print and as little as six weeks. Self-publishing is one way to get your message out there and inspire people. Don’t be intimidated by it.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I want to revolutionize oral health. Electric brushes are not necessary. These are my recommendation for optimum oral health: manual brush, water flossing, and a chewable probiotic. It’s much easier and more effective than using string floss. Mouthwashes are really not necessary for a healthy mouth. This is been my passion which has started my product company, Orasana.
What are 5 things you wish someone would have told you when you first started?
1. Take a writing class. It is important to write in a way that connects the readers to you. I ended up taking a writing class in the middle of my book which really helped me to write as I talk.
2. How to hire a ghostwriter. As I mentioned earlier, this is more difficult than people think. A ghostwriter may write in a different style than the author. It’s good to look at some other work prior to hiring them or ask them to do a small exercise, and which they write down one of your stories and see if you like their style.
3. How to pick a title. Having a catchy title as important. I initially had a different title which was too long and people would not remember. If you can come up with a short title which appeals to most people, you have a winner.
4. How to choose a publisher. I first hired a publisher who over promised and didn’t deliver. Unfortunately, I lost a significant amount of money and time, I finally found a reputable publisher who was very professional and help me understand the process.
5. How to develop a marketing plan for the book. This is important. I initially was advised to do some radio interviews, which I don’t feel really helped. It is important to create a marketing plan and even hire a publicist to help you create this plan. You want to implement this marketing plan six months prior to the book coming out. I had to postpone the lunch in my book so I could put the marketing plan in motion.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?
I would love to have the opportunity to meet Oprah. I admire her for telling the world about lifestyle choices to improve health and for helping the integrative medical community get the word out. I would love her advice on how to best to talk about oral health in a sexy way.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Instagram — @DrSanda
YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/user/AskDrSanda
LinkedIn — Dr. Sanda Moldovan
Twitter — @drsanda
Sanda Moldovan DDS, MS, CNS
Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology
www.beverlyhillsdentalhealth.com
Thank you so much for these great insights!