Exclusive Author Interview

Buy the Book, Does True Love Exist?: Amazon

This week I share my exclusive author interview with Vishnu, author of Does True Love Exist? Enjoy the interview!

Tell us a little about yourself...
My name is Vishnu and I’m a blogger, author and coach. I currently do all those things while working in the social justice movement trying to improve people’s lives as a community organizer. I am most passionate about changing people’s lives, inspiring and empowering others and helping others live purposeful lives. Prior to this line of work, I was a lawyer who practiced immigration, criminal and divorce law.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been writing for the past five years since my traumatic and heart-wrenching divorce. Writing was my therapist, healer, soul-whisperer and guide on helping me get back on my feet and move on with my life. I always knew that I had the ability to write but I never considered seriously pursuing writing until my entire life was falling apart. When everything is going against you, you begin to wonder – what do I really have to lose? Difficult life events help you find the courage to pursue your dreams. While I may have wanted to be a writer, I didn’t actually start on the dream until life threw me into the deep end of the pool.  

Can you share your journey to becoming a published author?
It all started with my blog which I had been writing for several years. The blog was popular and picking up monthly views but I was noticing that it only let me say so many words. I couldn’t write a detailed blog post that people had the attention to read. People won’t read super long blog posts but people who are interested in a topic will purchase a book to read about it. So, I wrote my first book when I was inspired and within a 48 hour period. That book, 10 Sacred Laws of Healing a Broken Heart is probably my best selling book in my Amazon store.

What do you find to be the biggest challenge, as an author?
I find the biggest challenge to be marketing my books once it’s written. I want to just write a book and move on to the next one not spend weeks and months talking about the book I just published. Unfortunately, getting the word out about your book is probably more important than the publishing of the book in the first place.

What do you find most rewarding, as an author?
I find it most rewarding to be able to share my pain and suffering with others to help them get through their own life struggles. I really enjoy being a beacon of hope for people in similar situations. When you’re going through a divorce, you get this feeling that you’d be better off dead than alive. You want to crawl into a deep dark hole and never face the world again. There’s so much stigma, shame and failure associated with divorce. Having gone through and survived a divorce myself, I feel like I can offer solid advice to others on their path back from this painful experience. The fact that I made it gives others hope and encouragement.

Share with us a daily habit of yours, that helps you reach your goals.
It’s as simple and difficult and writing every day. I try to have a 1000 word goal but more important than the 1000 word goal is simply writing every day. It’s more important to keep writing every day than it is to hit a word count. If you keep writing, some days you’ll write a paragraph and some days, you might write half a book.

What is one piece of advice you would share with an aspiring author?
Publishing is way more important than anything you’ll ever do. I don’t mean publishing a book. I mean hitting “publish” or making your writing go live anywhere. It’s not if your writing is the best or perfect today. All that matters is that each piece and each work you do gets better and better. Keep writing and releasing your writing in the world. As hard as it is to do this, don’t take the criticism too personally. There will be people who hate everything. There are people out there who don’t like Gandhi or Mother Theresa even! 

.I am most grateful for...my struggles that have strengthened me.

If I could give my 18 year-old self one piece of advice it would be...Follow your dreams, listen yourself and don’t play by society’s rules. And…don’t get a law degree haha

My favorite thing about being a writer is...changing and inspiring people’s lives.

My least favorite thing about being a writer is...the self-doubt and discouragement I experience sometimes.

My goals for the future are...to write full-time and provide coaching for people who are inspired by my writing.

I love living a creative life because...I find it fulfilling and enjoyable pursuing my passion.

The last book I read was...The Peaceful Warrior

My favorite books, ever, are...Love Warrior, The Alchemist and the Power of Now.

Outside of writing, my favorite hobby is...reading, watching movies. Without a television, movies and Netflix is something I highly value and appreciate when I do get a chance to watch.

The most important thing to do if you want to achieve your goals is...to make sure you’re enjoying the process. Make sure it’s pleasurable, even during the difficult times. Make sure you’re passionate about it so you don’t even feel like it’s goal-setting.

Tell us about your books (genre, where we can find them, etc.)
I have a new book called Does True Love Exist: 15 Simple Ways for Finding your Life Partner. You can find it at the Amazon store right here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073MTPK6K.
I write other books about self-love, starting over and surviving divorce.

Where can readers find you (i.e. website, social media, etc.)? You can check out my blog at www.vishnusvirtues.com, my facebook is https://www.facebook.com/vishnusvirtues/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vishnusvirtues/

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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, on Pinterest, andInstagram.

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