We were lucky to catch up with Anna Bushi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anna, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from my parents, who let me dream big and taught me that even if things are messy, if I work hard, it will work out. The other source of my optimism is my fellow authors. While attending local book fairs and festivals, I have connected with several local authors. Hearing their perseverance and the will to tell their stories lifts me up. Last but not least, my readers fill me with gratitude and optimism. They are my cheerleaders, letting me know that my words made an impact in their lives, by bringing them joy or a respite from their reality. I hope, my books, in turn, spread good vibes, that help you keep going, even when the going gets tough.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an avid reader who decided to write later in life. I loved the books I read, but found a lack of tales set in medieval India. The optimist in me decided things will work out and started writing. The joys of writing are many-fold. It allows me to escape into my imagination, create new worlds, and live in the minds of my characters.
The stories I read growing up inspired me to write. I am interested in historical fantasy and within that society, examining the human heart in conflict. I like to place my female characters in difficult situations and see how they learn to survive with no actual power. And watch my male characters fall in love while fighting for king and land. I love exploring the struggle between love and duty.
I have four books out, and my fifth novel is coming out in 2024.
Without a time machine, I spend my day traveling to medieval India, avoiding prowling tigers, trampling elephants, and hiding from scheming royalty. I keep trying to leave, but every time I get close, I realize I forgot my notes on sword fighting or the secret to casting a spell.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Be a lifelong learner. I am an engineer by training, and when I decided to write stories, I knew I had to learn the craft. I have spent hours honing my skills to become a better writer. I hope the readers can see my growth as an author as they read my books.
Celebrate your small wins, be it a five-star review or a fan mail. This will keep you pumped and motivated to achieve your bigger goals. It is a reminder that an artist’s journey is a marathon, and each mile you cross is worth recognizing.
Believe in yourself. While it is helpful to have external validation, when you think you got this, it fuels your motivation to sprint toward your goals. It will help you push through doubts and fears when you get those pesky one-star reviews, making you more resilient. When you believe in yourself, you might inspire others to do the same.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
If you read one book on writing, make it this. Or read it as a memoir of one of the greatest writers of our time. An authentic voice is such an elusive thing. Stephen King does it so effortlessly.
When you write a novel, you share a part of you in your stories. This book let me gain the courage to embrace this vulnerability.
I follow his great advice and try to read several books: ”If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around those two things….”
To imagine him facing near death halfway through his writing and still producing such a great book speaks to his skills as an author.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://annabushi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.bushi.book/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabushibook/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@annabushi
