Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anna Milsilvio. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Anna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
My story is a little unconventional. I spent 37 years working in the healthcare industry, a career I loved, but life took a turn when physical health challenges forced me into retirement and living with a disability. Rather than let that define me, I chose to reinvent myself.
Writing became both my creative outlet and my second act. I’m now a published author of two very different series — a new children’s series written under a pen name, and The Sexual Escape Artist adult romance series available on Amazon.
Ironically, it was my health challenges that opened the door to this new path. Writing gave me a place to pour my imagination, energy, and emotions, turning a difficult chapter in my life into an opportunity for growth and expression.
It wasn’t an overnight transition to a full-time creative career. Each step — from finding my voice, to publishing, to building an audience — was a milestone. But I’ve learned that reinvention isn’t about speed; it’s about resilience, consistency, and the courage to start over, no matter your circumstances.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Anna Milsilvio, and I am the founder of Anna Writes — a creative brand built from both passion and reinvention. Originally a northerner, I now live in sunny Florida, where I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and friends. For 37 years, I dedicated my career to the healthcare industry, but when health challenges and disability forced me into early retirement, I made a choice: I would not let my limitations define me. Instead, my disability became the catalyst for a new chapter in life — and a new book I am writing about my personal journey living with challenges.
Through Anna Writes, I create works that speak to very different audiences yet carry a common thread: imagination, storytelling, and emotional connection. I am the author of two distinct book series — a newly launched children’s series under a separate pen name and series name, designed to inspire curiosity, kindness, and joy in young readers, and The Sexual Escape Artist series of adult romance novels available on Amazon. In the adult series, the main character, AnnaMaria, is loosely inspired by me in physical form, though her life and romantic adventures are purely fictional. All characters in the series are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
My disability inspired me to channel my energy and creativity into something positive, fulfilling, and lasting. For my readers, I aim to provide more than just entertainment — I want to offer an escape, a spark of inspiration, and, in some cases, a safe space for self-reflection.
Reinvention didn’t stop with writing. I also began a new professional chapter as the Property Manager and Assistant to the Owner, Shereve Smith, of The French Chateau of Odessa, a premier event venue and luxury vacation rental in Florida. In this role, I help bring people together for special moments, whether it’s a wedding, a corporate retreat, or a community networking mixer.
What sets Anna Writes apart is that my brand is deeply personal. Every book and creative project carries a piece of my journey — resilience, reinvention, and the belief that it’s never too late to follow your calling. I understand what it’s like to start over, to face challenges, and to create something beautiful from them. That authenticity is woven into everything I do.
I am most proud of the fact that I turned one of the most difficult chapters of my life into an entirely new story — one that allows me to connect with people of all ages and walks of life. Whether it’s making a child smile with a whimsical picture book, providing adults with a story that makes them feel seen and empowered, or sharing my own experiences in my upcoming memoir, my goal is to create meaningful, lasting connections through my work.
For anyone discovering Anna Writes for the first time, I want them to know this: my work is an invitation to dream, to use your imagination, and to embrace love and happiness in all its forms.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes — my mission is to inspire, uplift, and connect with people through storytelling.
I want my work to be a safe space for imagination, love, and self-discovery — whether it’s sparking a child’s curiosity with a heartwarming tale, whisking an adult away on a journey of passion and empowerment, or sharing my own experiences of resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
At its heart, my creative journey is about showing that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, that challenges can become catalysts for beauty and growth, and that books can be more than stories — they can be companions, confidants, and invitations to dream.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A Story of Resilience
When I became disabled, I had to face a truth I never saw coming — that life can change in an instant, and not always in a way you choose. The physical pain, the loss of independence, and the constant adjustments were only part of it. What struck me the hardest was the grief — grief for the life I had imagined, for the activities and freedoms I once took for granted, and for the parts of me that felt stripped away.
This journey has taught me that resilience isn’t about never falling — it’s about refusing to stay down. No matter what lies ahead, I will keep getting up, keep creating, and keep choosing to live with love, imagination, and hope. I now call myself “Able Challenged,” a more positive way to frame my reality. It’s a reminder that while I may face limitations, I am still capable, creative, and determined. My disability has not ended my story — it has fueled a new chapter, leading me to reinvent myself as a writer, to share my truth, and to connect with others who need to know they are not alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fannawrites%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQ0owUDE0cnVOT2NLZkJuSgEej7OQuKV-vN0zKFq_tOzVv7wAakbRgBga2QydvWwNO2nryXXbQBdDfgde1fo_aem_Ji3mfCBNFr9dwMrq3HV65w&h=AT1ztXBHsU_3GhQEkDsnEKT5MfmgXliRottB-RiKmGj_AK6LwdrNhtDrIjTacvo23nChJ0Ke9yD4r4zmUobc0-j7ncvaowcw5WNW_wMHa3k715SNeI6pktqrMIGy1NUZC99X
- Instagram: @annawrites11114
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anna.milsilvio/
- Youtube: @annamilsilvio1114
