PRESS / MEDIA
Meet Author, Actress, Poet, Nina Ruiz
Author, poet, and actress Nina Ruiz is bridging the gap between tragedy and artistic expression in her newest collection Doctors’ Orders (available on Amazon). Nina teaches how art can be used to channel negative emotions, stress, and trauma, turning them into something positive.
One might say that Doctors’ Orders is a book inspired by life. An actress, singer, and dancer from an early age, Nina began to feel the pressure and judgement about her looks, which led to an eating disorder. Losing her mom as a teenager took her deeper into a dark place of depression and loss. Writing became a comfort for her to work through her emotions, and she encourages others to try to turn obstacles into opportunities to grow and find greater strength. The book offers vibrant works of art and photography, which are created by Ruiz herself.
Doctors’ Orders comes out of the pain and depression that kept trying to take charge of Nina’s life. Seeking help through therapy, Nina was advised to journal. With a background in the arts already, painting and poetry and writing music became her way of journaling. She found relief in the practice, and hopes it can help others, too. Overcoming tragedy and loss is never easy, but art is a way to cope, heal, grow, and move forward in life. It’s a constructive outlet that helps to move emotion through you, whether it be through words, paintings, dance, or music.
Nina looks to inspire others through her work. “Speak up on the issues with depression and anyone who feels there’s nothing left to live for.” Her message is one of strength and hope, encouraging others to never give up. Readers will find a collection with themes involving sex, heartbreak, love, pain, and sadness, as well as joy, all coming from the real and raw emotions Ruiz experienced in her own life. The book is gripping and relatable.
“Don’t get discouraged when no one understands your vision,” she shares. “As challenging as it can be when it feels like no one wants to support or help, it feels amazing when you accomplish your goal knowing you worked hard for it.”
Writing Doctors’ Orders is an accomplishment for Nina, though she admits that she has struggled with deadlines. “Especially when I began publishing my first book, I would get writer's block and somehow have to find a way to push through and write.” Seeing her book published and out in the world is a proud moment for her. When she looks at her book, she remembers the time and effort to write and create it, and remembers how it helped her through some tough times. She finds inspiration and hope there.
When not working or writing, Nina is a fan of anything that helps her channel her creativity, including cooking. While therapeutic and creative and fun, Nina also sees cooking as an artform. She is inspired by poetry and suspense, and Iain S. Thomas and Rupi Kaur are a few of her favorite poets.