Yes You Can: It All Starts with You received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Vivian Risi.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Yes You Can: It All Starts with You / May 8, 2019
What’s the book’s first line?
Twenty-three minutes can feel like a lifetime.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Yes You Can! It All Starts with You is a non-fiction memoir aimed at motivating people from all walks of life. This book is a motivational guide aimed at channeling your inner strength while overcoming obstacles in business – and life – based on my own personal experiences and professional journey.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
When asked to introduce Tony Robbins at a speaking event in Toronto a few years ago, I found myself tasked with the challenge of stalling a sold-out crowd as the man of the hour ran late while battling traffic. It was in that unplanned pocket of time that I began to tell the story of my very first “Tony Robbins experience” and the life events that brought me there. Afterward, I was approached by a local publisher who’d been in the audience, and I was encouraged to consider writing a book of my own.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
This book is a call to action for anyone who currently finds themselves asking, “Can I do it?” Whether their doubts are rooted in personal or professional ambitions, this book is meant to help them regain their footing and confront the obstacles that lie ahead with a resounding, YES, I CAN! The experiences and lessons I share will not only resonate with those navigating their way through the business world, but anyone looking to find some measure of guidance and support, as they look to steer their own path.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
I see Michelle Pfeiffer or Reese Witherspoon
When did you first decide to become an author?
I have been asked to tell my story for many years. It was almost destined that I was positioned to tell my story in front of a huge audience, just to fill in time. Never thinking that it would lead to a publisher contacting me, as well as people from the audience contacting me directly to share more.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes! I have genuinely loved the experience and reception this first book has gotten, and have already begun to consider what else I might like to share with readers in the future!
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am an entrepreneur and business owner. I have run my own Real Estate Brokerage for 25 years. I give a lot of my time to supporting others people’s growth.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
It is hard to measure.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
As an indie author, one of the greatest challenges was navigating my way through the process without having the support of a traditional publisher. This made for quite the learning curve when it came to aspects of the process concerning everything from final decisions in editing to design decisions and, of course, the final publishing push itself. On the flip-side, the benefits of being an indie author have, in my experience with Yes You Can, far outweighed any challenges. I would have to say the best part of being an indie has definitely been the creative control over content and design. With Yes You Can, I was able to ensure the content, style, and overall message remained intact at every step, without having to compromise – and I truly feel this has made all the difference in the final product.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Have faith that your work, your story, and your vision is enough. Don’t dwell on the obstacles that may lie ahead when working without the traditional publisher framework – instead, celebrate the fact that your book will ultimately be a product entirely of your own design and volition. It’s been such an enriching experience to sit at the driver’s seat of this journey and now operate with the confidence of knowing that my book is, as my life has been, one entirely by my own design.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
I am consistently motivated by my desire to connect with others; supporting my team, clients and those around me as I myself learn and feel inspired by them every day. My desire to grow, learn from and nurture my business and team is one that motivates me daily. There is no greater feeling than that of living your purpose!