Author Interview: Aarti Patel N.D

Aarti Patel, N.D. is the talented author of Acne: Just Another Four-Letter Word. Today I share my exclusive author interview with Aarti. Patel shares how she began her writing journey and her goals for the future- enjoy!

Tell us a little about yourself...
I'm a short East Indian girl who doesn't say the types of things someone might expect me to say. People have expected me to talk about yoga, and I never do that. I do like to talk about health care, the social dynamics we live in, and funny things I notice out and about. Back in 2009, I earned my naturopathic medical degree, and ever since I've been trying to figure out exactly what to do with it. They say for the novice there are endless possibilities and for the expert there are but a few. I swim in the murky waters between those two extremes, and I might always be doing just that. In the meantime, I enjoy writing and spending time with my family (I'm a mom to two crazy toddlers).

Buy the book: Amazon

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
In 2010, after I graduated from med school, the world felt confusing and it was the perfect time to try writing. Someone had told me to give it a shot, and I was surprised to hear it. My writing marks in school were average. For some reason, I felt like school never cared much about writing. It was always math, science, and literature at my school. I don't remember people getting very passionate about writing. I always enjoyed new projects, though, for the most part. When I was in grade school, I wrote an illustrated story about cats and dogs fighting. Back to 2010, I started a novel that I sadly haven't finished yet. But I'm going to get back to it when the time is right!

Can you share your journey to becoming a published author?
It's filled with a crazy mixture of confidence and self-doubt. I've been self-publishing everything and have felt grateful that this avenue is open to someone like me. I once pitched my book to agents and got some interest, but no one wanted to take a real chance on my work. So yet again, I self-published. This journey can make you question why you spend so much time doing something that may stay right where it started. I feel like writing is something I would do regardless of where my books end up.

What do you find to be the biggest challenge, as an author?
Going the long haul. You can have an idea and swing at it with your bat, but then there are instant-by-instant snapshots of your bat following through until you are holding your finished product. Even though you want the book in your hands, you can't skip the hiccuping along of follow through needed to write and package a book. I always liked running when I was a kid, but as I've gotten older my knees won't support that type of exercise. Now, writing is like my marathon (I never ran marathons by the way---just around the block a ton).

What do you find most rewarding, as an author?
Two things: 1) When someone reads your work and feels like it helped them discover something on their unique journey, and 2) when you've had space from your work, open it up, and find that your own words continue to help you on your unique journey.

Share with us a daily habit of yours, that helps you reach your goals.
That's easy. Read "Mini Habits" by Stephen Guise. He talks about establishing an impossibly easy habit that you have no excuse not to do, because it's that simple and easy. Mine is 50 words a day, which he actually recommends in the book for writers. I've been keeping up with this habit (largely) since November 2016.

What is one piece of advice you would share with an aspiring author?
It can get discouraging, but always listen to your own voice. That's the whole point anyway, right? There's a thrill in finding your own voice and delivering it outward to a select audience who might benefit from hearing it. The key is, don't write for anyone and everyone.

Finish these sentences:

I am most grateful for...my family, my determination, and people who aren't out to tear down others.

If I could give my 18 year-old self one piece of advice it would be...you're just not going to be able to plan it all.

My favorite thing about being a writer is...you never know where it'll lead!

My least favorite thing about being a writer is...being impatient sometimes.

My goals for the future are...to have a private practice in naturopathy, and to continue writing and publishing books. I also want to help my kids have fun learning.

I love living a creative life because...it's never boring. 

The last book I read was..."Breaking Free" by Rachel Jeffs

My favorite book, ever, is..."The Power of One" by Bryce Courtenay

Outside of writing, my favorite hobby is...reading

The most important thing to do if you want to achieve your goals is...don't put too much pressure on yourself. You want to be able to enjoy it once you get there, and have gas left to do more.

Tell us about your books (genre, where we can find them, etc.)
My first ever published book was "Picture It: Homeopathy." It's an illustrated guide to homeopathic remedies that I wrote and illustrated. I still love that book and use it in my practice. My second book was "The Art of Health." It was the start of all my writing about health that came after. It helps readers cut through the fads and gimmicks of health care and reconnect to their own health in an artful way. Finally, my most recent work is "Acne: Just Another Four-Letter Word," the first ever mind-body book to help treat acne. It encourages readers to stand up for themselves in the face of this four-letter bully.

Where can readers find you?
 - Amazon Author Page
 - D2 Books

Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award winning writer. An empathetic and compassionate storyteller, Ritz wrote for a plethora of local and national news outlets, magazines, blogs, and websites (copywriter), prior to becoming a novelist. Her book, Covered in Pet Fur  has gained attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved more than 11,000 lives (and counting). She currently resides in Ohio. Ritz is published through Rockville Publishing. You can interact with Stacey online via Stacey's Book Blog and on Pinterest,

Ritz writes the following genres:
Non-Fiction:
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
Animal Welfare
Fiction:
Love Stories

Click here to view Stacey's fiction books.

Click here to view Stacey's non-fiction books