Name: Kayla Fioravanti

Book Title: Puffy & Blue: The Chronicles of Nine Lives Together

Your book’s Amazon purchase link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692381279/ 

What is your book about?

Puffy & Blue is an uplifting true story about the deep friendship between a cat and her girl. I was raised with a nomadic lifestyle as my family was transferred every few years working for AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service). The only consistent parts of my life were my family and pets, especially Puffy. This is a tale of our companionship that helps me overcome the upheaval of growing up in three countries over twenty-one years. My entire childhood was encapsulated by the years of Puffy’s life.

What inspired you to write your book?

I had written several inspiring business blog posts about the adventures Puffy and I went through over the years. The response to the cat blog posts was overwhelming. People were able to identify with the lessons of perseverance, overcoming, and loyalty in my cat stories more than any other style of inspirational writing.

Can you describe your writing process?

I successfully wrote Puffy & Blue for National Novel Writing Month in 2012. Once I divided the chapters into the countries and states that I lived in over the years, I had a framework. 

How did you come to do what you’re doing today?

In 2011, my husband and I sold our company in the personal care and aromatherapy industry. I wrote three industry books in 2011. After the sale of our company, I was free to focus on being a wife, mother, speaker, and author.

Can you describe a typical day in your life?

I have two different kinds of “typical” days. My two kids go to school two days of the week, and I homeschool three days of the week. On all days, I take care of our chickens and cats that live on our 12 acres of land first thing in the morning. On homeschool days, I teach until one or two in the afternoon. On the days they go to school, I spend the day writing or promoting my work. Most evenings my kids are at dance lessons for several hours. I fill in those hours writing, editing, or promoting one or all of my eight books.

In between it all, I help my husband out with his bison business as well as his landscaping business.

What do you most enjoy about what you do?

I enjoy the process of writing the most. As a young writer I wrote, “Dear Diary,” and poured out my heart to the secret hidden pages under my mattress. As I’ve matured I think, “Dear Reader,” and then pour myself into their lives. I am inspired to write because I love the way words sound when they bump up against each other.

Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?

I am a huge fan of William Stafford. I read his book Writing the Australian Crawl while I was in college. He wrote, “A writer must write bad poems, as they come, among the better, and not scorn the ‘bad’ ones. Finicky ways can dry up the sources.” His attitude towards writing has inspired me to continuing writing through the poems and stories. 

Can you share something that people may be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve published a total of eight books ranging from poetry, memoirs, all the way to scientific books used in chemistry programs. I have the heart of a poet living and the mind of a scientist.

What’s next for you?

I am working on volume two of 360 Degrees of Grief and a book of business advice for small-business owners.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My eight books include:

• Puffy & Blue: The Chronicles of Nine Lives Together, March 2015
• The Art & Science of Aromatherapy: Your Personal Guide to Aromatherapy, January 2015
• 360 Degrees of Grief: Reflections of Hope, April 2014
• How to Self-Publish: The Author-preneur’s Guide to Publishing, April 2013
• When I was Young I Flew the Sun Like a Kite, October 2012
• DIY Kitchen Chemistry: Simple Homemade Bath & Body Projects, September 2011
• The Art, Science & Business of Aromatherapy: Your Guide for Personal Aromatherapy and Entrepreneurship, November 2011
• How to Make Melt & Pour Soap Base from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide to Melt & Pour Soap Base Manufacturing, September 2011