#RRBC “SPOTLIGHT” Blog Tour with Author, John Fioravanti @JohnJFioravanti

I’m am super excited to have fellow #RRBC member John Fioravanti here today on his Spotlight Tour. Intrigued, I had to add this book to my TBR list!

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The REFLECTIONS Blog Tour

I’m grateful to my host of this third post of the REFLECTIONS TOUR, and to Nonnie Jules and the #RRBC Team who arranged it all!

Reflection 3 Ÿ Do What You Love – Don’t Settle… Ever!

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

~ Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was not only one of the most successful people to impact the 20th and 21st centuries, but he was also the heart and soul of the multinational corporation, Apple Inc. I recall watching him presenting new Apple products on television, and what struck me each time, was that Steve Jobs was enjoying himself as he spoke. He was proud of these products, and he loved to talk about them. He walked his talk.

I was fortunate in my career as a high school teacher. I, too, loved what I did each day. Yes, there were stresses, and sometimes I had to deal with people I didn’t care for or situations that were taxing. But, at the end of the day, I was a happy camper. I was doing what I loved in the company of many wonderful people – students and colleagues alike.

When I retired from the classroom in 2008, I was faced with a serious problem. I was no longer doing what I loved. I felt that I was no longer making a difference, no longer useful. Puttering around the house all day looking for something to keep me interested and busy wasn’t working out well. There are always things to do around the house – both inside and outside – but, to me, these activities are just chores – and I don’t like chores!

I was writing sporadically but it wasn’t fulfilling. My novel series required rewrites and eventually, a total overhaul. I enjoyed the challenge of these tasks, but there were long delays in getting the necessary feedback to move to the next step. I began to think that my novels were not going to get published. The enjoyment I found in writing began to dissipate.

Now, let’s consider Mr. Jobs’ next piece of advice: “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.” It took five years for me to find it. My publisher suggested I start a company and publish my own books. That prospect stressed me because I knew nothing about forming a publishing company, and getting a book ready for publication. With his help and encouragement, my steep learning curve began. The challenge fired me up. My wife, Anne, and I founded Fiora Books in December 2013. Once again, I had purpose, I had problems to solve, and I had stories to tell!

Today, I’m writing and publishing my own novels, and I spent over a year and a half serving on the Board of Directors of Rave Reviews Book Club as Vice President, Membership and Incentives Director and podcast show host. It was a volunteer position; it took a lot of time, but I loved every minute of it. I have been retired from teaching for seven years and now I’m in love with my second career. This career of Indie writing, publishing and promoting other Indie writers is very fulfilling. It does not feel like work.

Steve Jobs is right: “As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know it when you find it.”     I have found, for the second time in my life, a job that I love. Now, the onus is on me to do “great work.”

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Author Bio:

 John Fioravanti is a retired secondary school educator who completed his thirty-five year career in the classroom in June, 2008.

 Throughout his career, John focused on developing research, analysis, and essay writing skills in his History classroom. This led to the publication of his first non-fiction work for student use, Getting It Right in History Class. A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching is his second non-fiction work; it attempts to crystallize the struggles, accomplishments, and setbacks experienced in more than three decades of effort to achieve excellence in his chosen field.

 John’s first work of fiction is Passion & Struggle, Book One of The Genesis Saga, and is set within Kenneth Tam’s Equations universe (Iceberg Publishing). He claims that, after two non-fiction books, he’s having the time of his life bringing new stories and characters to life! Book Two is Treachery & Triumph.

 At present, John lives in Waterloo, Ontario with Anne, his bride of forty-six years. They have three children and three grandchildren. In December of 2013, John and Anne founded Fiora Books for the express purpose of publishing John’s books.

 

 

 

70 thoughts on “#RRBC “SPOTLIGHT” Blog Tour with Author, John Fioravanti @JohnJFioravanti”

  2. How marvelous it is finding that special something that you love to do. Something that lights a fire within you and makes each day an exploration to be looked forward to. It’s both a gift and a challenge.you have met admirably,John. Thanks so much for hosting John today, Denise.

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  3. Thank you for hosting, Denise. I loved Reflections and am pleased to see it on your site. Welcome back to active duty, John, and congratulations on this esteemed position of Spotlight Author.

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  5. You speak on a subject here, John, that is super important! We spend so much of our young adult lives trying to make a living and raise a family. Then in our older years, we begin to really think about how short life is and we want to enjoy what it left. I am not the kind of person that can be happy doing nothing. I have to be creating something in order to find that happiness. So, for me, writing filled that void and being a Team member at RRBC and RWISA also brings me joy. At the end of the day, I can look in the mirror and say that for the most part, I am happy. Of course, there are trials and stresses. But the overall picture is positive. At 68, I am looking forward to another good 20 years of creating and serving! And I hope that will be alongside you. 🙂 And you too, Denise! Thanks for hosting today!

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    1. What a great response, Jan! I’m like you I need to be creating and productive. I hope the same thing to be doing this for years to come alongside, too!

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    2. Beautifully said, Jan – I have to say that your truth is my truth as well. I didn’t realize that we’re the same age – I thought you were much younger! You are young at heart and I’m happy to be back working along side you and the rest of the team. Thanks for your support!

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  6. It’s so nice to see John here! When you do something you love all of your life, it’s important to find something to fill that void when you retire. I am so glad John is once again doing what he loves.
    I’ve read Reflections, and it’s an engaging book.
    Best to John and thanks for hosting, Denise!

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    1. I agree Mae. We all need to do what brings us joy and satisfaction. I’m looking forward to this read:)

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    1. I’m glad to have you here, John on your tour. I hope you are having a fantastic time. I’m a big fan of blue, too:)

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  8. Nice to meet you, John. Your story is much like mine–from teacher to starting a publishing company to self-pubbing my books. It’s gratifyingly, isn’t it, with no expiration date!

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  10. Hello! Congratulations to John on being selected “Spotlight” Author this month! I enjoyed reading his reflection 3. That’s one of my favorite Steve Jobs quotes. Thanks for hosting, Denise! 😀 xo

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  11. Hi, John, Steve Jobs is so right! If you don’t enjoy your work, it becomes a drugery! I too enjoyed teaching a lot, but after years of broadcasting and teaching, I am enjoying what I always wanted to do, write! 😀

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  12. Hello John.

    “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking” makes sense. My granddaughter loves to be in front of the camera. She’s known since she was six years old when she threw a temper tantrum to let her dad know that she wanted to go on Talent Search after she watched it on TV. I envy that determination, because I never had it.

    Thanks John for sharing your story.

    Thank you Denise for hosting.

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    2. It is great to have John here. I agree starting a publishing company is quite the achievement, Robbie:)

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  21. Like you, John, I spent part of my life as a teacher. I taught journalism at the University of Illinois as a professor and dean of the College of Media. I loved being in the classroom so much more than being an administrator.

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  22. If you find the thing you love to do, doing it isn’t work. I feel that way also about our work together as a team here at RRBC. We do have a lot of fun and laughs and sometimes wise words. Thanks John and Denise.

    Reply

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