Interview with Andreas Michaelides

Author of  My Weight Loss Journey

 

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

I am from Cyprus Republic and I also reside here.

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

I was born in Athens Greece in 1974. My parents are from Cyprus Republic so when I was about 4-5 years old we returned to Cyprus where I grew up. After I finished with my military service in Cyprus I left for Greece again where I studied Computer engineering and also worked for about 11 years. After that I returned to Cyprus in 2005 where I live until today.

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

Publishing a book was the last thought in my mind. In 2013 I decided to change my eating habits, and I adopted a whole plant-based diet, and in 2015 after 2 years into the lifestyle I just wanted to catalog this health journey I experienced.
I will write about 500 words every day like keeping a diary. It was something that I enjoyed doing, and it didn’t feel like I was forcing myself to write.
After about 6 months of writing, I just run out of words I guess, but I had a draft in my hands.
What made me decide to go ahead and turn this diary/draft text into a book were many reasons, one is because I wanted to leave something behind after I am gone, the second reason was I felt that my story might inspire or help other people, and third reason was why not.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Self-help, autobiographical books mostly.
My books tell how I managed to lose 44 pounds using a plant-based lifestyle, how I use running to aid me in losing the weight. Furthermore how I quit smoking using the cold turkey method.
I want to believe that my books will help people improve their health by adopting a plant-based diet and exercise. It doesn’t have to be running, running works for me for others it could be other sports.

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

There is a lot of ignorance in the world and especially nutrition ignorance. I want to believe that my books are a light of beacon in this nutritional darkness.

I feel that people that cannot lose weight, or people that lost the weight but got it back again are people who will appreciate my books because I am telling them the truth. I am telling them what I did and still do to be thin and not gain weight again.

Also, people that want to quit smoking will likely connect with my books because I used to be a tobacco smoker for 16 years and I managed to quit smoking and be smoke-free since 2009.
Again In my quit smoking books, I tell people the truth and what I did to break free from the nicotine prison.

Furthermore people that want to start exercising I am a strong advocate of walking and running, its the most natural, cheapest sport you can do. You can do it anywhere and anyplace. All you need is a pair of running shoes and you are set. Looking back in my life, I realized that running simply saved my life.

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

As I mentioned earlier, during the writing of the book I did not have any issues maybe because I didn’t think about it like that. I didn’t have the stress and the deadlines that usually a book writing involves.

When I was writing, I was writing in my diary, and it was not something threading or something that I felt I had to do. It was enjoyable.

I still keep this method, and also this is the approach I followed with all my books.

I did not set up any deadlines or make myself sit down and write several words every day.

With me usually, when I have something to say I write every day, I never had what they call writer’s block.

About publishing, I did not even bother sending my book to publishing houses or agencies because you can easily publish and edit your book online and there are so many online venues now which makes the whole procedure fun and rewarding.

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

I think I would not give any advice to my past self because I like who I am today and by doing that ,I might change myself. I am glad about the mistakes I did in the past because they allowed me to become a better person and also a better writer.

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

As I say in the prologue of my first book “Thirsty For Health” if only one person read my book then I will be happy

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

The promotion of my books I think is the biggest challenge to date

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

I think I am very good at writing down my thoughts effortlessly.

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

Marketing for sure. I am still learning and improving in this area.

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

To be honest I am not going to write any more books. I might co-author some books in the future but I feel that I don’t have anything more to say. For now I am focusing on getting my existent books better.

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

I am self-published.