Tell us about your latest book.
Anita: My first book attempts to trace the scientific reason to explain how our thoughts and speech affect our behavioural tendencies and make it more likely that we will act in a certain manner.
Where did the idea for the book come from?
Anita: During my MS in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, I noticed that several therapeutic interventions were based on the usage of positive words. That is when I decided to read more on positive thinking and positive speech.
Who and what inspire you to write?
Anita: My training period in the psychiatric wards led me to meet and deal with several clients who came with psychological complaints. Some of them, when taught positive thinking and speech showed remarkable recovery. I would say they were my inspiration for writing this book.
Each author has his or her own inspiring journey. How did you begin writing?
Anita: I began writing seriously after I realized how one’s thoughts and speech might be having a profound effect on them. My experiences with individuals around me taught me personally how words are so important.
What has been the most pleasant surprise about writing? How about an unexpected down side?
Anita: The most pleasant surprise has been how fast I could get the ideas out on paper. I thought book writing takes years but for me it was in around two months that the basic structure of the book was erected. The downside has been trying to find the perfect publisher. I was often tempted to try self publishing but because of an academic friend’s advice I refrained from doing so. Eventually, after a long time of waiting I found a small publishing press (election publishing) in Texas which was interested in publishing my book.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Anita: When I have a writing idea in my mind, I shut myself for a few days and work on the idea. This is when I don’t even like meeting people or going out. Once my idea is on the computer screen, I feel much better and continue with other tings.
Do you write your books in order?
Anita: I try to be as organized in writing as I can be, but I wrote ‘Words’, let it rest and started working on another book. After ‘Words’ had rested for a while, I came back to it during the editing phase.
What is on your writing playlist for this book?
Anita: Brittany Underwood’s ‘Flow’ was one song I listened to during my editing phase.
Any favorite writing snacks?
Anita: I would say green tea and butter cookies mostly.
What advice would you give writers who aspire to be published?
Anita: It is a struggle. It takes time so please be patient and don’t lose hope.
Are you working on anything new right now?
Anita: I’m working on a romantic novella at the moment. I’d say I’m half done with the story.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Anita: I’m very fond of Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages and Elif Shafak’s Forty Rules of Love. Both are very different books but are essentially lessons for love and life.
Tell us in one sentence why we should read your book.
Anita: We are all creating our reality by the words we think and speak so read this book to find out how and why these words are important.
Anita Saleem holds an MS/MPhil in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. She was born and raised in Pakistan where she currently teaches Psychology to undergraduates at Forman Christian College. At the age of 25, she is a lecturer, an author and a researcher who best expresses herself through her writing. She frequently pens articles for local newspapers on culture, arts, faith, tolerance and relationships.
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