Katarina: Hi Anise! First things first, what’s your full name, age, and location?

Anise: Hi! I’m Anise Viston, 24-years-old, and I live in a medium-sized town near mountains. If you want to know exactly where, there are clues dropped throughout Protection of Beauty.

Katarina: You’re a woman of mystery it seems! Do you have any other secrets?

Anise: (laughing) Yes, I do! I teach a fitness class at a local gym, and so far I’ve told no one about it.

Katarina: Why are you keeping that a secret?

Anise: Well, that’s the real secret. I’m not telling. You’ll have to wait and see.

Katarina: Ok, we’ll move on then. Tell me about your work or school.

Anise: I just graduated college with a marketing degree. Trying to find a good job in that field is harder than I thought it’d be though. Right now, I’m working at the mall chasing down shoppers and trying to get them to take market research surveys.

Katarina: Do you like it?

Anise: Not even a little bit. I wish I’d gone to art school like I wanted instead.

Katarina: Why didn’t you?

Anise: Because my parents thought art school would be a waste of money and time. I wish I hadn’t listened to them. Who knows what I’d be doing now if I’d followed my dream. But at least I love my part-time job at my friend’s thrift store!

Katarina: What do you like about it?

Anise: Each antique piece she sells has a story I’ll never know, and it makes me wonder about them. Where did they come from? What have they seen? Who loved them?

Katarina: Even though you didn’t go to art school, do you still make art?

Anise: Yes! I love to paint and draw. I have my sketch book with me and a pencil behind my ear at all times just in case I get inspired and need to draw something. I’ve done some watercolor and acrylic paintings and hung them on my walls even though my boyfriend would rather I buy what he calls “real art” to hang up.

Katarina: How long have you been with your boyfriend?

Anise: I met Brian a couple years ago. But he stresses me out. Do we have to talk about him?

Katarina: No, certainly not. But talk to me about your stress. How do you handle it?

Anise: I’d like to handle it better. I’m trying. I get panic attacks sometimes when I start feeling too overwhelmed.

Katarina: What do you do when that happens?

Anise: I try to breathe through it like my friend Erin taught me. I look for somewhere to be alone to compose myself if possible. And I read my affirmation cards.

Katarina: Affirmation cards? I’d love to hear more about those.

Anise: I make them myself! Whenever I hear something inspirational, I write it on a 3x5 notecard. I carry the cards around with me and look at the one I need whenever I need to remind myself of its message.

Katarina: I love that! What a beautiful act of self-care. Do you have a favorite affirmation card?

Anise: That changes all the time. But right now, my favorite one asks, “Who do I want to be in this situation?” It helps me figure things out when I don’t know what to do. I use it a lot. It makes me feel more hopeful and excited for the future.

Katarina: And what are you most excited about for the future?

Anise: Lots of things! My friends and I are going to an art show that I’ve been wanting to go to for years. Now that I have a full-time job, I want to save money so I can go to art school someday. Brian and I haven’t been getting along, but I’ve been trying to get our relationship back on track. But even if it can’t be saved…maybe there would still be someone amazing out there for me. (smirking) Not that I’ve already met him or anything…

Katarina: Have you met him?

Anise: I’m not going there. Like I said, I’m not single, so I have to make some decisions about Brian first.

Katarina: If you could tell the readers of Protection of Beauty one thing, what would it be?

Anise: Be honest with yourself about what you’re really feeling and what you really want. Sometimes it feels easier to go along with what others tell you is best for you, but if you do that, everyone will be happy except for you. Respect and listen to your own instincts.