Making Light of Being Heavy by Kandy Siahaya

About the Book:

These days everyone has a society-driven mindset and totally forget to laugh, especially at themselves. This may be cliche but I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine and I think everybody should laugh every day. Period. Over the years as a person blessed with the fat gene, I have been in many situations where if I could not find humor I probably would end up on the couch in the psychiatrist's office. This book is about as politically incorrect as it gets for such a subject but it is also based on reality. This is a reality that many women have just like me, but do not think they can (or should) at times just laugh about it.

My intention when I started writing this book was to hopefully give insight to many who could never relate but at the same time perhaps provide a different perspective to women just like me. It is a point of view that has given me the strength to live my life happily and project these feelings onto everyone I come in contact with. I have a great sense of humor and a quick with and guarantee you will be laughing (and thinking) with each chapter of Making Light of Being Heavy.

About the Author:

Kandy Siahaya was raised in a small town in Maine where she graduated from high school in 1984. She worked her way up from her first job as CSW to Manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken and ended up in Brunswick, Maine. When she decided to leave the fried chicken business at age 22, she packed up her little Chevy Chevette and moved to Fort Myers, Florida where she worked as a waitress and had a great time as a single girl in her 20's. Reality hit when she was 25 years old and went back to Maine and received her Associate's Degree at Beal College and promptly moved back to Florida and started a career in medical transcription. In 1995 at age 29, she met her future husband and moved to North Miami Beach, Florida, and continued with transcritpion starting her own business.

In 2002, Kandy left North Miami Beach and moved back to Maine with her five-year-old son and eventually divorced in 2005. Kandy still does medical transcription but had an unexpected decline in work which left her with a lot of time on her hands. This is when she decided to write a book. this is something she had been thinking about for a few years but never had the time because she was always so busy with her business. It was meant to be a quick and funny read, something to brighten the outlook of many that really do not see the light through their own tunnel vision. It was also intended to be insightful for those that could never possibly relate to this specific subject. Kandy has succeeded in doing just that with Light of Being Heavy.

For more information please visit http://www.makinglightofbeingheavy.com/

I was lucky enough to be able to interview this fantastic lady. Here's what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Making Light of Being Heavy is short comical rant from the perspective of a fat chick with a sense of humor in today's society.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

About five years ago a friend and I were walking with our kids along the sidewalks of Old Orchard Beach in the summer when a cute guy driving a pedicab stopped beside us waiting for the light. Joking around with him I asked him if there was a weight limit on that ride. My friend and I both were over 300 pounds and he was looking at us I think trying to come up with a "safe" number and he said "500 pounds" smiling. My friend and I started laughing and I jokingly said that we would have to have individual rides. While walking away we started talking about all kinds of instances like that one that we could laugh off and my friend said we should write a book.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

My own personal experiences and having been fat ever since I was a kid.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My son and my friends.

Your biggest critic?

Anyone without a sense of humor.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

No specific cause I am passionate about but I am a strong believer in the more you give the more you will receive and I love to help people and encourage my son that in life it is better to give than to receive.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

My 23-year-old stepdaughter and young granddaughter who turns 3 in April moved in last June so I think I will say my ability to have more patience has improved.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

I am not sure if just being true to myself and being real would be considered rituals but that was how I based Making Light of Being Heavy in the hopes that the book would not only be entertaining but insightful as well.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Making Light of Being Heavy is my first book but I would say that society in general influenced part of the book and then my own personal goal to make people laugh with a different perspective on such a touchy subject.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Raising my son.

What are you currently working on?

Actually, my son and I are working on a children's book in which he uses is great artistic ability and illustrates it.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Always be positive. Remember...it takes more muscles to frown than to smile!

What are some of your long term goals?

I am not really good with long-term goals but for the short term I would say actually sticking to a diet and also helping my son in his achievements as he gets older.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Getting my point across and having the effect on the reader that was intended.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

I always finish what I start and do what I say I am going to do.

Biggest weakness?

Good food :)

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

There are not too many that I could find in the same genre but a couple that I did look at seemed to be more "fat and proud" or more bitter towards people and their thoughts on weight. At this point in my life I have no reason to be bitter at a boy in the fifth grade that did not pick me for the kickball team and I am not proud of being fat but I am proud of myself and who I am.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

I am hopeless romantic and believe in happy endings so I would say it would be something in the historical romance department like Judith McNaught or Lisa Kleypas, two of my favorites.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

None. The decisions (good and bad) I have made throughout my life have made me who I am and I have no regrets.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

I was going through a divorce five years ago which was very stressful because I really do believe in happy endings but also believe in being emotionally healthy which I am now.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

Always treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. Always.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

Not yet...maybe a further down the road something will come to mind...

What is your favorite past-time?

I love yard sales and thrift store shopping.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Thank you for the interview. I hope everybody enjoys reading Making Light of Being Heavy.

MAKING LIGHT OF BEING HEAVY VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on May 1 and end on May 29. You can visit Kandy's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in May to find out more about this great book and talented author!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.