Interview with Kandy Siahaya, author of "Making Light of Being Heavy"

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 Associates 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 transcription 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/

Here's what Kandy had to say:

Where are you from?

A small town in Maine.

When and why did you begin writing?

Making Light of Being Heavy is my first book which I wrote in 2005. I thought the topic surrounding obesity needed a different spin to it because society as a whole is very unrelenting in their opinion of obese women. I based the quick read on my personal experiences and opinions with my humorous viewpoint hoping that laugher could perhaps change the perspective of some.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I had always thought about writing but honestly never seemed to have time with my hectic self-employment schedule running my own medical transcription business.

What inspired you to write your first 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.

Do you have a specific writing style?

With Making Light of Being Heavy it was very easy to write my point of view in a conversational style that I think without a doubt gets my message across.

How did you come up with the title?

I wanted something catchy but also something that really stood for what was in the book. I first thought of Diet Is A Four-Letter Word or My Anorexia Is In Remission but instead used those lines in the book. Finally one day I was driving and it just came to me - Making Light of Being Heavy because that is seriously what the book does.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Give yourself a break and laugh more!!

How much of the book is realistic?

The entire book is realistic including pictures of myself.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The book is based on my own personal experiences and my opinions on being fat.

What books have most influenced your life most?

I am hopeless romantic at heart and the books I really enjoy reading are historical romances, always with a happy ending. A few I really like are Lisa Kleypas, Judith McNaught, and Amanda Quick.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

My mentor is not a writer, it is my mother. She always used to tell me "Pretty is as pretty does" which had more of an impact as I got older. I realized that my reaction to a situation (like being made fun of) was related to giving me the confidence that I have always had through my life.

What book are you reading now?

I have a romance novel by Candace Camp that I am slowly finishing in between my crazy work schedule.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Unfortunately, I have been out of the loop with any new authors lately. When I do have the time to sit down and enjoy a book I find myself a creature of habit and going for my old favorites.

What are your current projects?

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

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

My closest friends of many, many years who really know me and my sense of humor.

Do you see writing as a career?

It is a definite possibility.

What do you think makes a good story?

It is a good story if it entertains the reader and keeps them wanting to read more even though they know they should fix dinner or go to bed!!

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I think I have always taken my sense of humor for granted but learned in writing Making Light of Being Heavy that it is a true gift and have always loved to share it with everyone.