The Dolphin Experience was Lisa's first published book. Her formative experience with wild dolphins occurred at the age of four, when her family moved to Malta. They travelled by boat, a week-long journey, and Lisa was fascinated by the dolphins and porpoises who accompanied them, riding joyously on the bow waves.

The idea for the book was sparked after Lisa watched Luc Besson's beautiful film "The Big Blue." A friend described how swimming with wild dolphins had been a transformative experience, and this intrigued Lisa. She met up with cetacean experts and enthusiasts around the UK and travelled to Ireland to swim with Fungie, the dolphin who has made his home around Dingle.

After the book was written, Lisa moved to Ireland and lived there for two years. When the book was published she was dismayed by the cover, which clearly showed a captive dolphin - an issue that she feels very strongly about. Fortunately Foulsham, the publishers, changed the cover when the print run sold out and Lisa updated and added to the research in the book.