Interview with Marino Specogna

Author of You’re Fat! Now Lose It! Help! I’m Fat! Now I Need To Lose It!

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born on what is known as Haida Gwaii, a large Island located off the west coast of Canada. Haida Gwaii is the ancestral home of the glorious Haida People, who continue to inhabit the Island. I currently live in Chilliwack a special place in the Vancouver Area, of British Columbia Canada. Chilliwack is special because it is the home to a large First Nation and is the largest area of areas designated Indian Reserves long ago by the Canadian government. This Chilliwack is special because of that fact and it attracts so many First Nations people and other people from across Canada and the World because the Sto Lo nation is, like all First Nation peoples, so welcoming to all, very special.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

My parents were migrants from Italy. My father arrived in Canada a few years after the dark time period of the 2nd world war, and almost 20 years later returned to Italy and found his love and they were married, and he brought back with him my mother. My mother was shocked with the remoteness of Haida Gwaii, but was lovingly accepted by many Haida which helped with her transition from Italy to Canada. In fact one of my very first friends, a best friend lives in the same community I live in currently. We have known each since rolling around on blankets together with others while his mother, a wonderful Haida lady and my mother would meet often, infact I am his blood brother as we did the sacred blood brother exchange, as per movies, when we were between 4-6 years old. In my teens we moved to other communities closer to Vancouver, BC Canada. I am thankful to the Haida and all first nations in Canada for being so accepting of all peoples to their lands, if not, I and my siblings and all our offsrping would not be in this world today, thank you.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I wanted to offer an insiders view to issues, that quite often, are reported in a negative manner and also slanted from a point of view that reflects to the audience a negative feeling, so I wanted to correct that, and to also help at least one reader who is experiencing what I went thru, help that person to gain the courage to at first try and to keep working at it to make a reality happen.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My books are first hand experiences, sadly they are momentous moments in life where many times people will give up, most times people do not give up, so I wanted to remind my readers that regardless of the situation in your life, the sun does always rise the next day and to bear the rough periods with hope and change your thinking to move on forward to a positive energy space, keep dreaming and stay positive and be happy.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

I think the message is the same message many authors.writers put forward and that is if something negative occurs in your life, move forward, and dream, do not be afraid to dream, use your vision to manifest the dream to a reality. Many people at music or movie awards shows also do tell you, do not be afraid to dream, and dreams come true in this world, anyone can correct where they are in life just change your attitude and everyday try and make it happen, it will happen as our society in America is set to allow you to be successful if you are open to success whatever that may mean to you, but it starts with seeing other people actually make the dream a reality, and that is in everyday life we can witness especially with the internet at our fingertips, and from hopefully the writings I and many many others put out to help.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

The voice, as an author, you would like to use to project what you are writing, was the most unexpected and surprising thing learnt.

If you could, what advice would you give to past self yourself before embarking on this journey?

I think before I embarked on the writing of the subject matters, I had thought thru every positive and negative aspect of putting myself out there. It may not have been popular with some people or some family members but the journey had to be told as it should help someone out there who may believe there is no hope, always dream, try to use your vision to manifest a reality, always keep trying, stay positive.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

I think I would like anyone who is in a similar predicament as the subject matter of the book that they should seek out my written journey(ies) as I have lived the experience and if I can do it, anyone can.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

I will say this. There are many jealousies and envies that are human nature in this world that affect people for whatever their motivations, so do not let anyone try to mock you, or dissuade you from putting your voice out to the world via storytelling. My biggest surprise and challenge during the process was that people close to me, would be so against reality being put forward, and be so negative in not believing that my experience and rise from ashes may help someone in a similar situation. It was quite eye opening, and was a real challenge to overcome the negative opinions of people who I held dear to my heart but it makes one question those peoples motives,and thankfully I did not fall to the negativity, the issues had to be told. Everyone is allowed a voice in this world, do not be afraid to freely express yourself, as long as no hate is involved.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Well, of the three it would be writing, as I wanted to write to encourage others who may be suffering the same negative issue written about, and with my first hand experience I felt I could choose the voice to use and to write out the issues clearly.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Marketing would be the biggest weakness which is quite bizarre as my main work is in marketing, but marketing books is alot different than other marketing I am involved in.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

I was married for 28 years, and in 2017 separated from my ex wife, who was a very wonderful woman, we went thru a lot together as a couple and a family unit, and my two adult daughters, also such wonderful daughters, but the situation and the mental duress was of the shock of the separation was pretty strong, another poignant period of time in my life that many of us share sadly. With that, after recovering emotionally, I joined the modern dating world which had changed drastically since the 1980’s. On this early part of this journey to another stage of life, many situations develop, and relationships have changed drastically, and maybe another book on some tips to help someone in the same situation may be helpful from my experiences, seeking Love in 2019 with dating apps, etc., is a tough journey for sure, but I did find love and lost love, all due to inexperience in this new age of dating, I hold out hope though that the old saying, If you love someone set them free, if they return it was true love and meant to be.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I’m self published and published using iUniverse.