9. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
One thing I would give up to become a better writer is to dedicate my entire week to writing instead of having to carry on my full-time jobs at church and nursing homes to pay my bills and market my books. Right now I try to write whenever I can find time. Hence my thought process constantly gets disrupted by my other jobs. Sometimes I have to pause and go back on the last page to get re-connected with my thought before I can write anything more.
10. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
The most difficult part of my artistic process is to have enough time to create spectacular work. But, now I have to juggle many jobs and my writing at the same time. That can affect the artistic ability on my books. I do not have enough time to spend on the details of my artistic work and make them truly beautiful.
11. Does your family support your career as a writer?
No, they do not. Because they do not know if it can help me pay all my bills as a real job would or not. So, I have tried to write in my free time while holding down all my full-time jobs.
12. How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It all depends. I have written nine books of various genres so far: memoir, devotional, spiritual, inspirational, self-help, and children. Like writing a song, if I have good inspiration, everything would flow easily and the detail plan for the book would pop right up. The whole process would take only a few months. Otherwise, it would take a bit longer.
13. What is your writing Kryptonite?
My writing Kryptonite happens when I stop having new ideas and being creative. Otherwise, ideas for my new books have not stopped coming out of me as I have shared with you about various genres of my nine books above. In fact, I just finished another Children Book called “The Beautiful Miracle of Dream Big;” and I am currently writing my first Trilogy Novel called “Holy War.”
14. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
One of my nieces shared with me how she attempted to write her first story, but for some reason ran out of steam after a few pages. My advice for her and all aspiring writers is to keep on writing and never give up. Success takes hard work and discipline. Also, the life of a writer can be lonely and secluded. One has to be alone and tied down for long hours to complete a book.
15. Do you think someone could be a writer if they do not feel emotions strongly?
That would be hard to do. As I shared above, writing is like composing a great song or drawing a beautiful picture. If someone does not have an artistic soul full of emotions and creativity, that person would have a tough time expressing it in a song or a book.
16. In totality, what’s the message of your Book “Living for a Higher Purpose” and you as an author?
War could not bring happiness and security to the people but instead grabbed them of these things. The difficult situations Viet found himself in are relatable and parallel to the struggles of the modern-day readers. Anyone who has been through the toughest times of their lives can find comfort and security in reading this book. Viet’s story inspires readers to find their own higher purpose in life.