|
Q: Wow. That’s amazing. And oh-so-cool! So…when did you know you wanted to “be” a writer?
I’m one of those people that re-invent themselves every 7 years. Becoming a writer happened by accident but eventually became a divine mission. Here’s how it all started; for years I had been writing down one liner’s on bits of paper, napkins even chunks of wood. Little cherries like, "The toughest part about getting it done is getting it started!" or "Plan your work and work your plan!"
I had loads of them stuck on a nail on my desk, in a shoe box, piled in a corner and then one day a few years ago I broke my foot in a dirt bike accident. While I was laid up and stuck at my desk I decided to clean up the mess and opened a word document. The idea was simple enough, write down all the "cherries" and throw away the little bits of paper and that darn 2x4 leaning in the corner. As I was writing down the cherries I found many of them needed a written explanation so a simple paragraph was written under each one to further accentuate my thoughts. Before I knew it I had 20 pages of cherries written and I recognized I was writing a book. The Cherry Tree was born on the spot and became a book of my life’s experiences and lessons to be passed down to my children and grandchildren. When I reached “weight loss” a small paragraph wasn’t enough so I opened another word doc. I had gone from FAT TO SKINNY so the title was typed and the new book began! After I finished the two books I put them out to the publishing industry for review. After a pile of rejections I decided the publishing industry was full of narrow-minded idiots who didn’t recognize the power of the books. It was time to go it alone, my writing and publishing career had begun.
What are you working on right now? (Fiction? Non-fiction? Both?)
Non- fiction, the current project is the fifth book in the FAT TO SKINNY Series called the FAT TO SKINNY Low Sugar Low Carb Bakery. My lovely wife Sherri is developing all the new recipes for the book and I’m simply filling in the blanks. Sherri will get author credit, I’ll be co-author and of course I get to be recipe test guinea pig and eat all the sugar free goodies!
Q: Oooo…put me down for one of those! Now, what—or who--inspired the ideas for Fat to Skinny?
As mentioned above, FAT TO SKINNY Fast and Easy! started as a blip in my computer. I had lost 100 pounds and many people had asked me, "How'd you do it?" My idea was to put it all in writing, turn it into an E-book and offer the answer with a web link. The publishing industry had already slammed its door in my face and I was on my own. Well, one thing turned to another and before I knew it the book business was created. It was simple enough, design a web site, put the two books up as downloads, film a You Tube video, post it and see what happens. Within an hour I had ten bucks in my Pay Pal account from the first FAT TO SKINNY book sold and we were on our way. After a few months I met a reporter from a small town newspaper in NC. A story was written in the newspaper and FAT TO SKINNY got its first press... page two, half-page story with a plug and full color book cover photo on the front page. The phones started to ring and the need for printed copies became evident, numerous customers and three county libraries wanted printed copies….downloads wouldn’t do any more. I started my research into printing books... then I was struck by a heart attack.
Q: Yikes! Well, thank the good Lord you survived it! What’s the publisher/ISBN of this book?
The original publisher was Living Life Publications, a publishing company I started to print my own books. When my dear agent Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary Agency brought Sterling Publishing to the table it was republished under their flag. The cool thing was they republished the book shy of a couple small changes in its original form. The two ISBN numbers are:
- ISBN-10: 1402771339
- ISBN-13: 978-1402771330
Q: How long did it take to write it?
The actual writing of the book took about a month, the research took a couple of months, the graphic designs, proof reading and final layout... another month, so in total 4-5 months. Of course a bit of tweaking along the way occurred prior to going to press.
Q: What’s your favorite element of Fat to Skinny?
That’s an easy question. I never tire of hearing success stories from readers! The 77 year old grandmother who’s diabetes disappears and finally gets off Metformin, a drug that gives her stomach pain, or the 12 year old girl who loses 60 pounds and is no longer the FAT kid in school. These are the types of stories that motivate me to work 60 hours a week promoting, answering e mails, managing the reader forum and building the brand. It’s not a job... it’s a mission and a labor of love.
Q: What do you hope your readers 'take away' from the book?
I hope my readers walk away with one simple thing... The truth about the dangers of hidden sugar and how removing it can change your life.
Q: I’m a convert! Tell us, Doug, do you write full time? (If not, what else do you do!)
My current focus is all about FAT TO SKINNY so yes, I currently write and promote FTS full time. FAT TO SKINNY now consists of 4 books in the series with a fifth on the way. Three of the series books are only offered as E-books which gives me time to tweak and further build them prior to press. We also own and manage a rental home property portfolio which occasionally needs my attention. I love to fish, ride my dirt bike and play with my 5 Yorkies. Sherri and I also love to spend time in the Florida Keys and the mountains of Western North Carolina, we travel between the two destinations every 6 months.
Q: If you couldn’t be a writer, what would you be?
I’ve shot the pilot for the FAT TO SKINNY reality show, a 30 minute television show designed to teach entire families my weight loss and blood balancing methods. I see my next "re-invent" as a celebrity chef and television personality carrying on my mission through media.
Q: Now there’s a reality show I’d watch, faithfully! But with everything you do, how do you balance family, work, church, and fun?
In THE CHERRY TREE I write about my methods of managing a busy schedule:
DOUG’S PIZZA THEORY OF TIME MANAGEMENT ©
Imagine that your life is broken down into slices just like a pizza. Now, name each slice. For instance a slice or two are for WORK, a slice for FUN, a slice for PERSONAL, a slice for HEALTH, a couple for FRIENDS , FAMILY and CHURCH, maybe one for INVESTMENTS. You get the picture.
Now, YOUR job is to constantly patrol the outside crust of your pizza never hanging out too long on one slice because... Surrounding your pizza are hungry gremlins! If you hang out for too long on one slice of your pizza the gremlins are going to start eating your other slices! If you want to get something done it has to be important to you. Prioritize it. Put some Gremlins on that slice of the pizza to remind you. You have now been officially warned about the gremlins!
My slices change as priorities change; currently 4 of the 8 slices are devoted to FAT TO SKINNY, 2 for my wife Sherri, 1 for family and 1 for spiritual enlightenment. Currently my work load is all about writing and promoting FAT TO SKINNY. Management of our other business interests have been picked up by Sherri allowing me full focus on FTS. Fun is being with my wife so leisure time is included in my Sherri slices.
Q: What’s the most difficult thing about being an author?
For me the most difficult thing to do is shut off my brain. I love what I do and I‘m so dedicated to my cause I find it difficult to make a true transition from slice to slice on my pizza. I find it hard not to think of my books, promotions or my TV show. It can swallow you up if you’re not careful. Like Tom Petty says in one of his tunes “coming down is the hardest thing”
Q: And the easiest (or most fun)?
Not much beats the feeling an author gets when he or she types "THE END" on the last page.
Q: Tell us a little about your friends and family...
I have a wonderful family! Mom and Dad on both sides are still alive and kicking, Sherri and I enjoy our three kids…Ray, Jennifer and Haley and we’re blessed with a beautiful grandson Everest. The kids are good faithful children and everyone in the family shares the same foundation of morals, standards and values. I’m further blessed with a small group of wonderful friends that I’ve been close to for 25-30 years. What more from life could any man ask for!
Q: What’s one fact about you that most of your readers don’t know?
What drives my passion for FAT TO SKINNY. When I was on the operating table after my heart attack I was facing death. I asked myself the big question, did I have any “Would have, Should have Could have” regrets. I found myself in order; I had lived my life honestly, trying each day to be the best man I could be. I had been gifted a wonderful family a great group of friends and my soul felt safe. I was ready to die; however, I did have one regret. FAT TO SKINNY wasn’t in print yet. As I lay on the steel watching the monitor while the surgeon played around in my heart a problem arose. The doctor informed me he was having a difficult time clearing the 95% blockage in a main artery. He had failed twice now to insert the stent that would keep the blood flowing freely. As it turned out my artery was smaller than normal. It wasn’t his fault, the artery size was genetic and hard plaque caused years earlier by extreme levels of blood sugar had finally caught up to me. The doc feared if he attempted again the artery would split and I may die right here, right now. I was then presented a question from the doctor, "What do you want me to do?"
I couldn’t open my mouth to answer. Instead I found myself asking the Lord, "What do you want me to do?" The answer came into my head instantly: "Stay alive and devote your life to helping others from ending up in this position." Suddenly my mouth opened and I answered the doctor. "Proceed without fear, all will be well." Seconds later to the doctors delight the stent slipped right in and it was all over, I had been given a new lease on life. Within a week 3000 copies of FAT TO SKINNY Fast and Easy were on order and my divine mission began in earnest.
Q: Have you ever done anything others might consider 'crazy'?
Where do I start! The list is long. Many people would think risking everything you own on business ventures is crazy. I’ve done it several times.
Q: And what's next for you?
More of the same, I’ve received my marching orders and I’ve made a promise. I know why I’m here and I know what I must do. Like the story of David and Goliath I’ll use my sling shot and slay the sugar monster for the good of mankind. Someone has to save the children from obesity and associated diseases like Sugar Diabetes. I’ve been given that responsibility and I will not waiver from my mission.
Q: Any advice for those "I’d love to be an author!" readers out there?
The key word in that question is "love." To be a truly successful author you must love what you do. This is not a get rich quick business. If you have that in mind move along to another venture. You need passion for your subject matter and be prepared to work hard and then harder.
Q: Where can readers find you on the Internet?
|
