We had the good fortune of connecting with Ross Victory and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ross, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Discipline and rest play a key role to the successful completion of projects. Writings articles, books, and songs is very time-consuming. Sometimes writer’s block feels like it will never go away, but for me, I do not write when I do not feel inspired. When I’m tired, exhausted, or overwhelmed with trying to make an idea, character, or melody work, I take a rest. So the biggest habit is to listen to my mind and body and give myself a lot of space to fully execute the creative process. Great things usually take time and cannot be rushed. Doubt and exhaustion are apart of the writer’s process. When I learned about how all of that works and how I respond to it, I can plan accordingly.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an Award-Winning author, music artist, travel enthusiast and author of the father-son themed memoir, Views from the Cockpit: The Journey of a Son and bisexual-themed follow up Panorama: The Missing Chapter. I spent my early years collecting pens, notepads, and interviewing myself in a tape recorder. With an acute awareness as a child, I was eager to point out hypocrisies and character inconsistencies in children and adults through English assignments. If I weren’t keeping my English teachers on their toes for what I would say or write next, I was processing his world through songwriting and music. The path has not been easy, but I believe that if I keep my eye on the prize, quiet the voices of the outside world, every step I take towards my goals adds up. The biggest challenge have been financial investments and staying motivated. The biggest lesson has been learning to give myself space and time. Lately, I’ve been trying to fall in love with the process of creating instead of the end-goal. I prioritize my self-care: journaling, massaging, local and international adventures, or just a basic nature walk to ground myself. I find my unique voice by translating themes into written or music form, and authentic, emotional writing. I am committed to creating visuals, music, and writings that are authentic, intellectual and multi-dimensional, alluring, and masculine.
Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Sunday – Pick up from airport, Randy’s donuts in Inglewood, tacos at Guisados Monday – Driving tour Downtown LA, Skidrow, Compton, Beverly Hills, ride metro to Hollywood for lunch at Pinks Hot Dogs. Dinner in Long Beach Tuesday – The Broad Museum, LACMA, Lunch and shopping on Fairfax or Cocktails on top of Wilshire Grand Wednesday – Griffith/Runyon Canyon or Malibu Hike, lunch in Santa Monica promenade, bar hopping in Ktown with Koren BBQ Thursday – Beach Day and airplane watching at Dockweiler Beach – lunch at In N out Friday – A live show or night club/bar night – dinner at Louie Downtown LA Saturday – Lakers game, dinner at Yard House, bar hopping at LA Live Sunday – Morning hike in Highland park, lunch in Pasadena, Departure in PM
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents laid the groundwork for my success. Essentially that created the environment for the ideas and discipline to exist and come to be. So they are worth a shoutout. Also, my creative team and all the people who listen to my ideas and make them work visually or sonically are worth a shoutout! My illustrator – David Izaguirre, Jr. My graphic designer – Will Sikora. My engineer at Good Vibez Studios – Pxncho! and all the strangers who have listened to my ideas and given me feedback over the years. The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo has been in my life for over 10 years and also keeps my inspired and hopeful to conquer the day.
Website: www.rossvictory.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rossvictoryofficial
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rossvictoryofficial
Youtube: www.youtube.com/rossvictory
Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0z7sTXqeT1kW1SgCPxULKd Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rossvictory Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19021734.J_Ross_Victory
Image Credits
Christian Yi Christiana Valenzuela