Meet Inka Nisinbaum | Double lung and liver transplant recipient, cystic fibrosis warrior AND author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Inka Nisinbaum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Inka, why did you pursue a creative career?
Honestly, because I can’t help myself otherwise. No matter how busy I am, eventually I will end up in front of my pc – writing. I always loved to write, it’s just what I do. Like a tennis player can’t help but volley the ball, like the baker can’t help but fold that dough. But writing is not only something I gravitate to, it also saved me in my darkest hours.

When I was waiting for my life saving double lung and liver transplant in 2002, writing was my straw to hold on to. I was 23 in 2002, I knew I’d die without an organ donation, and writing helped me deal with the fear, doubts, and thoughts that came with it. I wrote my last will, I wrote goodbye letters to all my friends and family, just in case, and I wrote down all the things I wanted to do in life if I’d get a second chance. Writing has always been my psychotherapy, my comfort zone, and my escape to a world where everything is possible and I’m healthy.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
The main characteristic that sets me apart from other American authors is unfortunately the language my books are written in – German. Most of you won’t be able to read them and therefore – let’s not get into what makes them so awesome. Instead, I want to tell you that I’m working on my first English novel, a memoir, but it’s still multiple melt downs away from being finished. But even though it’s still in the making, I’m already very proud of it. I tried multiple times to write in English, but never felt comfortable enough with the language. I always felt I couldn’t express myself as I wanted to and went back to comforting German. But now the time has finally come, I’m ready. Living in the US, reading tons of English novels, and listening to native speakers had prepared me for my next journey. The English-speaking book market. I’m excited, terrified, worried, impatient – all at once. But you gotta leave your comfort zone to grow. You gotta believe you will land somewhat on your feet when leaping off that cliff. And leaping you must, otherwise you will be stuck.

What else do I want you to know about my books, or let’s say my books to come? That none of them was written in one day. Every chapter of every book was plastered with doubt, thoughts of giving up, frustration and devastation. Putting yourself out there in form of a book, a business, a creation is never easy. For none of us. But I learned throughout my writing career, there are only two options: Do or don’t do. If you want to be a writer, you have to write and let people read it. And I want to be a writer and therefore I will leap…

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay, this is not an easy question for me to answer. Reason being, I’m the absolute non-city girl. I hate shopping, unless it’s books. I don’t like big crowds, loud noises, traffic, spending money and all the above. I love nature, hiking, the mountains, long walks with my dog and the best friend that came to visit me. And to top it off, my best friend is the same. She’d also not want to go shopping, but outside to feel the mountains.

But I owe you an answer. Let’s say my best friend will visit me on a Sunday. We wake up in the morning, drink coffee, eat some breakfast and then head off to the Highlands Ranch Farmers Market to buy some produce. Not to cook in the evening, we will eat out of course, but to take with us on our hike through the Garden of Gods and the Red Rock Amphitheater. I can tell you, my best friend will LOVE the hiking. We will sit on the top step of the Red Rock Amphitheater, eat our snacks from the Farmers Market, enjoy the view and the beauty of Colorado. After our hike, we will be hungry despite the snacks and go to one of my truly favorite places in Highlands Ranch: CUBA CUBA Sandwicheria. I love their food, I love to sit outside, I love their coffee, and I love to go to the candy store next door, Rocket Fizz, to buy German chocolate for dessert. With the German chocolate in our bags, we will drive home, sit on the porch, enjoy the view, search for owls and bats flying by, listen to my kid talking nonstop about Minecraft, petting the dogs and realize, the best place in Denver is still home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As probably for most of us, there isn’t just one person, one book, one organization that got me where I am today. It’s moreover a whole village of people, a truck load of experiences, a library filled with books and a mountain of love that got me where I am today. Of course, it all started with my parents. Despite my cystic fibrosis they raised me like a healthy child. They gave me confidence, strength and the believe in myself. Same as my friends who always accepted me as I was. Sick, fragile, grumpy, in the hospital, popping pills, getting IV’s – it didn’t matter to them, a friend is a friend. Then my husband, who is the biggest believer in my health. If I was ever afraid of Covid, he got me back to believing in me, my strength, and my body. He got me back to living, despite Covid and despite being a transplant recipient. And of course, my donor. Without him, all these questions would have been left unanswered. Without him there wouldn’t be me, no books, no believe, no dreams left to dream.

Regarding my writing though, support has always been sparse. Most see it as a hobby, something I do for fun, in my free time, like singing in the shower and pretending to be performing at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. But I made my peace with it. Fact is, I got so much support, love and believe in my ability to survive and thrive despite all my medical challenges, it is enough to also make me believe in my writing. Everything anyone ever did for or to me, shaped me into the person I am today. Shaped me to be able to believe in my health AND my writing. Therefore, my gratitude goes back to all the people mentioned in the first paragraph: You are the ones who helped me be me! And you are the ones who will also help me become a full-time writer. Just wait and see.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkanisinbaum/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inkanisinbaum/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InkaSchreibt

Image Credits
Claudia Krogul