We recently had the chance to connect with Anvika J. Blackburn and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anvika J., thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Have you ever felt as though the wonder you carried as a child slowly faded with age? As an imaginative child, I was endlessly curious about the world. I would clip stacks of paper and pretend they were patient files, or fold a sheet into a keyboard and screen to serve as my physician’s laptop. I painted my nails, draped blankets into gowns, and transformed into a fashion designer mid–fashion show. I even handwrote articles about what fascinated me and “published” them as a chief editor.
As a child, I inhabited countless professions, fully immersed in each world. But as I grew older, my path narrowed. I was told to choose one direction, and as an ambitious person, I pursued what was defined as “success.” That pursuit led me toward medicine—until I realized success didn’t always mean fulfillment. I had long been afraid to follow what truly engulfed me, because my passions fell outside the conventional paths my family, filled with engineers and accountants, had followed.
My journey has taken many twists and turns: changing majors from medicine to public relations, working at Google as a lead program manager, leaving corporate to become an Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, creating a journalistic series, and designing workbooks. Each step, though unexpected, was intentional—leading me back to what I have always loved most: writing stories.
French was my first language, and when my family moved to New York, writing became the tool through which I learned English. My words won competitions and opened doors, yet I had forgotten how natural and fulfilling writing had always been for me. As a writer, I now get to create characters with diverse careers and rich emotional lives—a young doctor, a seasoned fashion designer, a deserving editor-in-chief.
What I was once afraid of has become the calling I embrace: a creative career as an author.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! I’m Anvika J. Blackburn, an author and storyteller passionate about creating immersive, emotionally rich narratives. My debut novel, A Scarlet Mountain, is a psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows three women: Aleena Gupta, the sharp-eyed detective with something to prove; Margo Vessel, the enigmatic stepmother guarding a dangerous past; and Eva Armstrong, a visitor seeking peace… only to find a nightmare. Each character is layered and relatable, and the suspenseful plot keeps readers guessing until the very last page.
What makes my work unique is how I bring emotional intelligence into storytelling. My background in EQ allows me to create characters whose decisions, fears, and desires feel real, making the novel not just a page-turner but a fully immersive experience.
I’m currently focused on expanding my world as an author— with a newsletter underway that will connect readers to the emotional depth of my stories, while also beginning work on my second novel. My goal is to craft narratives that captivate, challenge, and leave a lasting impact on readers, blending suspense with the complexity of human emotion.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Since we started school, we were taught to aim toward a goal: a grade on an exam, a GPA, a tournament championship, a college acceptance, a job offer. This goal-oriented mindset has its benefits, but for me, it came at a cost. I found myself losing touch with my creative self, living a robotic, auto-pilot lifestyle driven by paychecks rather than passion.
I had to learn that all the goals I had worked toward—good grades, a strong GPA, a fantastic college education—had served their purpose. They culminated in achievements like landing a fantastic job and spending half a decade at Google. That goal, which had guided me since childhood, had been fulfilled.
But now it’s time to release that part of me and nurture the quieter, creative side I had set aside. Though I sacrificed the tangible benefits of a high-profile career, I gained something far more profound: the freedom to pursue what truly enlightens my soul, to honor the younger, imaginative version of myself, and to reconnect with wonder, curiosity, and creativity.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back the most was built on an idea—an idea of who I was supposed to be, how I was supposed to live, and what was expected of me. When combined with the fear of not being enough, it became a drive I never truly needed.
My ambition has always pushed me to work hard and explore my potential. I climbed the ladder at Google, built a strong reputation, and achieved what many would call success. Yet, that reputation didn’t define me—I am Anvika. I wanted to be defined not by a job title, but by my character, my values, and the joy I bring to my life and others.
The fear of financial instability initially pulled me back, reminding me of my humble beginnings. But it also made me forget something crucial: my childhood was full of imagination and joy. Using paper as a laptop was far more exciting—and far less risky—than owning an expensive one. Over time, I learned that adding value to the money we have allows us to prioritize what truly makes us happy, instead of chasing material status.
It’s been over three years since I left corporate life, and I’ve never felt more abundant. I’ve been able to plan meaningful milestones—traveling the world, celebrating a wedding, and nurturing a life aligned with my values—while intentionally reshaping my relationship with money. I owe a huge part of this growth to my husband, who has been by my side from the beginning. Together, we’ve navigated beyond the fears and ideas that once held me back, finding freedom, fulfillment, and joy in pursuing the life we truly want.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
For the longest time, I measured goals by time: graduate college in four years, get promoted in two, achieve milestones on a strict schedule. One of the hardest mindsets I had to shift was decoupling goals from deadlines. As a program manager, deadlines were everything, and while that mindset has its value, it made it difficult to nurture long-term projects without pressure.
Writing my novel, A Scarlet Mountain, was a massive undertaking. I set micro-goals to guide the process, but the full realization of the book—from first draft to finished story—could only happen if I allowed it to unfold naturally. Deadlines might have pushed me to finish faster, but they would have robbed me of the creative process itself.
Now, as I continue my journey as an author, I remind myself that passion cannot be rushed. While it’s tempting to wake up as a Best Selling Author overnight, I know that forcing the process would diminish the joy of creation. I’m committed to embracing the journey—writing, learning, and growing with each story—no matter how long it takes. The experience itself is as meaningful as the destination.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
As someone who is both creative and logical, I’ve often struggled to find the balance between structure—which can drive motivation—and spontaneity—which fuels creativity. I’m still learning, as life and seasons change, but I feel most at peace when I find that sweet spot in the middle.
I call it “dancing in the center”: giving myself the freedom to explore, create, and follow what feels right in the moment, while also setting gentle guidelines for the day. These “Project Sessions” could be writing, cooking, learning a new skill, or reading. Redefining productivity as a growth mindset—valuing exploration and learning over rigid results—has lifted a tremendous weight off my shoulders. It leaves me excited to be myself every day, even if each day looks a little different.
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Image Credits
Allye Brillante, Emily Chappell Photography
