World of Writing - Interview
Thank you, everyone, for joining us today for an important interview with a young author, Alivia Jones - here to talk about her first book. More importantly, her message relays comforting advice for people dealing with an anxiety disorder and/or Aspergers. I have an anxiety disorder myself and believe me the mind is constantly judging, whirling with tasks yet to be done, whirling about finances and relationships and every single thing you can imagine going back to as early as I can remember. haha. That is one active brain! But the issue comes in when that brain activity causes stress, sleepless nights and upset tummy. Worse if those dreaded panic attacks arrive and all the oxygen in the air seems to disappear. We also have a nephew who deals with a mental disorder and so we are very connected to the topic that will be presented today. Alivia enjoys writing, drawing, doing crafts, swimming, fishing and hanging out with friends in her free time. She lives in California with her amazing mom, two beautiful sisters and her awesome brother. Find out more about this courageous young woman at her Amazon Author Page.
Q: Alivia, before we delve into our topic today, let's take some time to learn more about you on a personal level. What can you tell us about yourself?
A: I’m a teen author whose passion is to help others. You can often find me drawing random things down on a sketchbook, relaxing in my pool and of course typing my latest story ideas into my laptop. I first started writing stories when I was about seven years old, and since then it’s been my dream to become an author. Becoming an author at fifteen is such a dream come true, and I’m so grateful for those who have helped me make my dream transform into reality.
Q: At what point did anxiety become an issue for you?
A: I have always dealt with anxiety from the time I was very little. It started off as social anxiety, where I would hide behind my mom’s back and refuse to go socialize with other kids. I had anxiety over change, going places, and basically anything that meant leaving my home in general. During second grade my social anxiety escalated so greatly that my mom started homeschooling me. It was around this time that I started to have massive panic attacks as well. These panic attacks got worse over the years and to the point that I was put on medication to help me cope with them. So, to sum things up I have dealt with anxiety a majority of my life and I’ve learned many techniques to work around it.
Q: Tips for people with anxiety?
A: If you have anxiety, I would recommend living in the moment and not in the future. It’s difficult to do so, but once you learn how to focus on the now and not what’s to come it gets easier. One of my most used techniques when I feel anxious is breathing. I breathe in and out deeply, counting my breaths. The only catch is I have to make sure that they stay consistent, otherwise I make myself start over. I continue to breathe deeply, all the way up to ten, until I make it there without losing my consistency of breathing. It definitely takes practice, but once you learn to turn to breathing, it becomes a wonderful and very effective technique.
Q: How do your friends and family feel about your writing venture in general?
A: My friends and my family have been extremely supportive during my writing process. My older sister and my grandma’s friend edited my book. All of my family and my friends offered encouragement and unconditional love all the way up to my publication. They acted as my cheerleaders, inspiring and motivating me to finish what I started. They got me back on my feet when I had second thoughts. Overall, they have been amazing support and I am so, so thankful for them!
Q: What do you do to unwind and relax?
A: To unwind and relax, I do many activities. A few of these would include writing (of course), drawing, chilling in an inner tube in my pool, playing video games with my brother, and going on bike rides. I often do these things when I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed, so that I can calm myself and get things like homework and chores done without the extra pressure on myself.
Q: How long does it take you to write a completed book manuscript?
A: For my memoir, Breathe, it took me about four months to finish the first draft, and another month after that to revise it myself. The editing process after that took about three rigorous months (my sister and I butted heads along the way, many times). The editing process was the hardest part of all for me, but it paid off because in September of 2020 I got a publishing contract. This part took the longest, since my publisher and I encountered a couple issues on the way. It was published eight months after I got my contract, on April 10th, 2021.
Q: Describe your writing space.
A: Don’t laugh at me when I say this, but my writing space is in my bed. I literally work the best in my bed, with covers on, and my laptop on my lap. About ¾ of Breathe: An Anxiety Memoir was written in my bed. The other bit of it was written in the car lol. 
Q: What impact do you hope this book will have on the reader?
A: I’m really hoping that my book will inspire my readers. My greatest desire is that my readers will be motivated to keep on going, even when life seems impossible. I really just want people out there to get their hands on my book so that they can realize that somebody else feels the way they do. So, to everyone out there struggling with anxiety or depression you can do it...I believe in you!
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Find them elsewhere online HERE
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Thank you for the interview, I really appreciate it. It was a joy working with you!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome :)
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