Aaron Anson: Mind Your Own Life

From Cecile Oreste of danceDC. Follow her on Twitter @dance_DC.

Aaron Anson is an inspirational writer and new thought coach who lives in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. Raised a black devout Christian in the South and endeavoring to uphold instilled beliefs, he married and fathered two children before accepting that he was a gay man.

His first book, Mind Your Own Life, is a deeply personal memoir of his journey back to love. It is scheduled for release on Monday, May 16.

Borderstan: How long have you been working on Mind Your Own Life?

Anson: The process has been about three years. I started writing Mind Your Own Life while I was living in Atlanta and finished the book in D.C. It started as a journal of my own life experiences that I shared with my friends, and evolved into an inspirational book.

Borderstan: What made you want to move to D.C., and in particular to Dupont Circle?

Anson: I had been living in Atlanta for 12 years and I knew there was something bigger and better out there. I wanted to get away from what I had known. My partner Oliver and I made a quick visit to D.C. on our way to Martha’s Vineyard and loved the place. We moved to the area about a month later. Dupont Circle is a welcoming and diverse community. It also has lots of great restaurants including Raku — one of our favorites.

Borderstan: Any advice for aspiring writers?

Anson: Write your own story and write from the heart. Set a few hours a day and let your mind go. Write down all your thoughts as they come to you.

Borderstan: What’s next for Aaron Anson?

Anson: The book release party for Mind Your Own Life is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7 from 6 to 8 pm at Busboys and Poets on 14th Street NW. There will also be a D.C. Pride Week Meet the Author event on Wednesday, June 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Beacon Hotel. Please visit my website for more information.