Lessons I learned from writing “A Piece of Peace”

Lessons I learned from writing “A Piece of Peace”

Many of you might know that Modern History Press very recently published my latest book, “A Piece of Peace.” A Piece of Peace is an autobiographical account of one unique woman’s struggle with near-fatal disease. It is a rejection of discrimination and exploitation, of women in particular. It is the reaching out of a helping hand to other writers, creative professionals, and anyone else who needs a reminder about the role of wellness in their lives. Above all, it is as the title states, a path to inner peace and personal power.

A Piece of Peace is my 13^th book in total but first pandemic book release. I know that I am not alone in bringing out a book during these unprecedented times. My heart goes out to debut authors who didn’t get to do book tours or book signings or big celebrations because of the virus. It’s important to be safe, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t feel the loss or the pain.

Our sufferings and challenges don’t need to be compared. Each person’s experience matters. But I feel quite certain that each one of us has learned lifelong lessons from writing and/or releasing a book in 2020-2021. Here are a few of mine:

Let’s call out our own bullshit: Writing is a profession that fuels insecurity—between the low pay, uncertain future, gender bias in the publishing industry, reliance on external validation and more. We get scared, compare, and personalize rejections. The pandemic reiterated that people are way too busy managing their own lives and battling their own demons to be bothered with anyone else’s story. If you hear a NO (from a writer/editor/publisher), ask yourself what you can do differently or better instead of assuming that they didn’t want you. The way we own our success, it’s the same way we need to own our failures/rejections/shortcomings.

You must show up: Everyone has their own writing process. But I do know one thing that consistency is key. On some days, we get five words in; on other days, it might be 5,000. But when we start to show up to our words, they start showing up for us. Carving out writing-time is key. Writing can’t be something you do aside from blah-blah. It must be something you do like breathing, showering, eating…well, you get the picture.

Self-reliance is a great tool: I’ve enjoyed every literary gathering, wine evenings, and time spent with other writers and authors. But wine and whine don’t make you a writer. While it’s nourishing to connect with a like-minded community of people, writing is a solitary process. Don’t use lack of in-person gatherings as an excuse for not getting work done.

Writing is like yoga: If you practice yoga asanas, think of the first time you showed up on your mat and the range of mobility offered by your body. If you stayed with your yoga practice diligently, I bet you’ve marveled at your own body’s endurance and flexibility over the years. Have you also noticed that the body responds differently when you do yoga for yourself versus competing with the person next to you? Writing is the same way—the more we practice with authenticity, the better we get at it versus chasing trends and believing because others write about certain issues, we must too.

Learn to prioritize: I have a job, family, and run a wellness company, which means I have individual as well as corporate clients. Meaning, I have very little time in a day between work commitments and personal life. No one can be in several places at the same time, even if virtually. I have to choose what I can attend and what I can’t. And what’s most important on any given day. I have learned to make my peace with my decisions instead of wondering what I am missing out on.

Every experience teaches us a lesson: It’s revealed to each one of us at different times. Just because you didn’t write during the pandemic doesn’t mean you didn’t do the work. The stories might be percolating. Hold space for them for when they are ready to come out.

What goes around comes around: Don’t approach writing with a scarcity mindset. The more of us women writers get published, the higher the demand for our profession. Each one of us authors find our audience. Have faith in your writing, keep doing good, and continue helping others without expectations. Trust me, the universe notices. A writer recently offered to help me out with publicity ideas (without charging a fee) because I had helped them in the past.

I would love to hear from you what writing and/or publishing a book during the pandemic has taught you.

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Sweta Srivastava Vikram (www.swetavikram.com) is an international speaker, bestselling author of 12 books, and Ayurveda and mindset coach who is committed to helping people thrive on their own terms. As a trusted source on health and wellness, most recently appearing on NBC and Radio Lifeforce and in a documentary with Dr. Deepak Chopra, Sweta has dedicated her career to writing about and teaching a more holistic approach to creativity, productivity, health, and nutrition. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and other publications across nine countries on three continents.

Sweta is a trained yogi and certified Ayurveda health coach, is on the board of Fly Female Founders, and holds a Master’s in Strategic Communications from Columbia University. Voted as One of the Most Influential Asians of Our Times and winner of the Voices of the Year award (previous recipients include Chelsea Clinton), she lives in New York City with her husband and works with clients across the globe. She also teaches yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as incarcerated men and women. Find her handle @swetavikram on: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

A Piece of Peace: Everyday Mindfulness You Can Use

A Piece of Peace is an autobiographical account of one woman’s unique struggle with a near-fatal disease. In 2018, Sweta had already earned acclaim from having written a dozen successful books and for her work toward amplifying women’s voices.

Suddenly overtaken with a massive health crisis, she entered a fight for her life that lasted more than six months. Her journey back to wellness through mindfulness and Ayurvedic healing show us both the true resilience of the human spirit as well as laying out a practical day-by-day plan that anyone can build on to restore health and recover from chronic health losses. Sweta shares her vulnerabilities, makes recommendations, interviews experts, and reminds us all that how we respond to a situation determines our path in life. Additionally, you’ll learn about:

• The power of mindful living.
• The impact of finding and owning your voice on your well-being.
• A reminder about the role of wellness in the lives of writers & creative professionals.
• Essays and stories on coping with the pandemic, mindfulness, Ayurveda, meditation, resilience, productivity, and more.
• Tips, tricks, wisdom, all packed neatly with compassion to help you navigate life no matter what’s thrown at you.

“I’m confident that A Piece of Peace will prove to be of immense benefit to anyone interested in achieving a state of healthy physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.” Nitin P. Ron, MD, Speaker, Expedition Leader, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

“The recipe for being your most creative and productive self is in this book. Through Sweta’s journey of survival she shares the power of mindful living, the value of Ayurvedic healing and how to be the best version of yourself. A Piece of Peace is a must-have for your bookshelf.” Paula Rizzo, author, Listful Living: A List-Making Journey to a Less Stressed You

BUY HERE

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Category: How To and Tips