John Fioravanti is an author and blogger who has a background in teaching high school history. That alone (teaching teenagers) should garner him a medal for bravery! John and I have a lot in common and have taken to referring to each other as ‘bro’ and sis.’ So please welcome my brother, John Fioravanti!
My sincere thanks, Tina, for this opportunity to be interviewed on your lovely site. I am truly honored.
It’s my pleasure, John. I am delighted to have you as my guest.
Buy John’s books HERE
Tell us a little about yourself. I am a self-published author living in Waterloo, Ontario. Retired nine years, I worked for thirty-five years teaching students to write well in my history courses. That led to my first published work, Getting It Right in History Class, by a small educational publisher in Barrie, Ontario. I am married to Anne for forty-four years on June 30th. We have been blessed with three children and three grandchildren. I am an avid blogger still learning the finer points.
What is the title and genre of your latest book? Who published it? Reflections: Inspirational Quotes & Interpretations is inspirational non-fiction. I scoured the Internet for quotes that spoke to me about inspiration and living. I published it myself under my Fiora Books imprint.
Tell us a little about your book. Reflections is a compilation of fifty inspirational quotes and for each, I wrote a short essay that reflects on the meaning of the words and how they might apply to my own life. My hope is that the reader will be inspired to ponder how each quote might impact their thinking and the living they need to do. We all need to pause and take stock about how we live, and I hope this book will help readers to do that.
What inspired you to write it? I’ve always had an interest in inspiring quotes, so I was happy to take on the daily task of selecting and emailing an inspirational quote to members of the governing board of Rave Reviews Book Club from our President, Nonnie Jules. She suggested one day that I should blog about these quotes. I took her suggestion and created a blog series called My Inspiration. Nonnie suggested we create a new Rave Waves BlogTalkRadio show loosely based on these blogs. We called the show Aspire To Inspire. Later, Nonnie suggested I rework many of the blogs into an inspirational book. So the answer to your question is not what inspired me, but who inspired the book – Nonnie Jules.
What inspires you to write in general? Teaching was my first career and my motivation was to help young people navigate through the difficult teen years. Writing and blogging is my second career but the motive is the same – service to others. My daily blog post, John’s Believe It Or Not… is my attempt to remind readers about events from the past, many of which are relevant in the present. My other two blog series, My Inspiration and Let’s Talk aim to help us pause to think seriously about the issues we face in the living that we do. My fiction series, The Genesis Saga, and coming soon, Genesis: The Beginning are stories of human drama that we can relate to and hopefully, cause us to think.
In what genres do you write? I enjoy writing inspirational non-fiction. My first self-published book was A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching, which is a memoir based on my teaching career. The second publication was Reflections, which is a collection of 50 short essays based on quotes I find inspirational.
I also enjoy writing fiction. I’ve always enjoyed science fiction and I am a big fan of Kenneth Tam’s Equations series. He’s a former student of mine who invited me to write inside his Equations series. The Genesis Saga series is set inside Kenneth’s science fiction universe, but my work is better characterized as futuristic drama. My two published titles in this series are Passion & Struggle and Treachery & Triumph. I have also decided to begin a new series called Genesis: The Beginning – I’m drafting book one currently. This series will be the prequel to The Genesis Saga.
If you have a blog, what subjects do you write about? My blog has been evolving over the past three years. Originally, on my Fiora Books website, I wrote weekly posts called My Inspiration – short essays exploring the meaning of and relevance of inspirational quotes I found. In February 2017 I created a new blog site called Words To Captivate. At that time, I decided to indulge my passion for History and created the blog series John’s Believe It Or Not. Each day I research and report on 5 events that occurred on that particular date in history. As well, I created another blog series called Let’s Talk where I discuss controversial topics in the hope that it will stimulate thought and discussion. Occasionally, I write new posts for the original blog series, My Inspiration.
Do you have other publishing credits? If so, what are they? In 2002, I was published for the first time by a small educational publisher. The book is called Getting It Right in History Class. I used it in class for the last 5 years of my career to teach research and writing skills that lead to the formal research essay. The contents of this book evolved gradually from lesson handouts I prepared for my classes to teach these skills. Before the book was published, these handouts had become several booklets and they became the basis for the chapters in the book.
What is your current writing project? As mentioned earlier, I’m working on a new prequel futuristic drama series called Genesis: The Beginning. Book One is entitled The Comers’ Dawn. The human survivors of planet Earth left to find a new home planet in the late 21st Century in a huge colonizer ship. After a 95-year journey, they arrived at planet Genesis and built a new civilization. The Genesis Saga series picks up their story 600 years after they arrived at Genesis. The new series will chronicle their struggles and successes back when they first arrived. In preparation for this series, I created twenty-five short stories that I posted on my blog site under the heading The Genesis Chronicles. Feel free to take a look!
YouTube Video
Instead of providing us with a short excerpt from his book, Reflections, John chose to share his ten-minute YouTube video based on Reflection 38 – Don’t Kick the Habit – Be Excellent! While watching this video, I was inspired to surpass my habit of not going above 3.0 incline on the treadmill 🙂
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Sis – I am truly humbled!
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You’re welcome, bro. You light up my blog 🙂 ❤
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Sounds like an interesting author thanks for the introduction Tina. 🙂
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Thanks for your kind words, Marje.
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Welcome, Marje. John is a character 🙂 ❤
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Reblogged this on Words To Captivate ~ by John Fioravanti and commented:
Tina Frisco has given me the great honor of being interviewed on her blog today. While you are visiting Tina, be sure to take a good look around and join me as one of Tina’s many followers.
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What a great story about how Reflections came into being!
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Thank you, Jan. Glad you enjoyed ❤
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Indeed it was, Jan – that’s one of the reasons I asked Nonnie to write the Foreword. Thanks for the comment!
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Great interview with someone who sounds as though he was born to write!
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Thanks, Annette. I think John was born with a pen in his hand 🙂 ❤
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Well, it certainly wasn’t a cell phone, Sis! LOL
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Yeah, bro, especially since they hadn’t even been invented yet! That would have been a stellar phenomenon 🙂
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Exactamundo! Gee, that would have been handy at nursery school…
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You crack me up! Now dialing Malaysia … 🙂
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What a sweet thing to say, Annette! Thank you!
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Tina, it is such a pleasure to see John featured here. I am a huge fan of both this inspiring man, and his work.
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Thank you, Soooz. A pleasure to meet another member of the John Fioravanti fan club! 🙂 ❤
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How lovely, John and Tina. This was a freshening interlude to an otherwise busy day. I love the background music too! Blessings to you both!
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Thank you, Gwen. It always feels good to inject a little fresh air into someone’s day ❤
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Thank you very much, Gwen, I appreciate your support!
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
To end this Friday I will leave you with two writers who have much wisdom to impart. Tina Frisco and her guest today John Fioravanti.. head over and discover John’s books and his reflections on life.. and please leave you comments over there so that Tina and John see them.. #recommended
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Thank you, Sally. I appreciate your lovely intro and recommendation ❤
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Thank you so much for your generous support, Sally! Not sure I belong in the same sentence as Tina, but I’m loving it!
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Excellent guest blog, John. I thought your video was terrific. Thanks, Tina for hosting John today.
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You’re welcome, John. The video was definitely a plus ❤
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🙂
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Thank you, John, I appreciate your kind comment about the video.
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Reblogged this on The Writers Desk and commented:
Another great guest author from Tina Frisco.
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Thank you, dear friend Patricia ❤
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You are more than welcome, love your posts. ♥♥
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Thank you very much for your generous reblog and lovely introduction!
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What a fantastic interview! It was so great learning more about my friend and neighbor John. 🙂 Tina, did you know your bro lives just over an hour’s drive away from Toronto? I am definitely going to get the Reflections book as inspirational nonfiction is right up my alley. 🙂 I’ll be sharing this everywhere you guys 🙂 ❤ xx
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Thanks, Deb! Glad to know John lives so close to you. Maybe we can all get together when I visit 🙂 You know I appreciate all the shares, my DGP friend ♥♥
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How fun would that be?????? And sharing is a no brainer! 🙂 🙂 ❤ xo
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Hey Tina, did you know that Deb lives just an hour away from me! LOL. I love the sound of that get-together, ladies! Debby, thanks for your kind words, support, and shares.
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My pleasure John! 🙂
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You just acquired another sister, John! Ready the food and spirits, because I’m determined to make a visit ❤
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you very much for the reblog!
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Thanks so much, Michael ❤
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So nice to see John featured here on your blog, Tina. He writes such lovely daily posts packed with interesting information.
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Thanks for the support and your kind words, Robbie!
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Indeed, Robbie. There’s always something for everyone ❤
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this post by guest author John Fioravanti as featured on Tina Frisco’s blog
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Thanks for your kind reblog, Don. Much appreciated!
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You’re welcome
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Thank you so much, dear friend Don ❤
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You’re welcome
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Such an interesting interview. It’s so fascinating how each person comes to the vocation of writing. Some us know at the age of 8, and for others it’s a set of circumstances, a suggestion at the right time, or an off-shoot of something else we do. I loved hearing about John’s journey and am delighted to “meet” another sci-fi writer and RRBC member. 😀 Thanks for hosting, Tina.
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Thanks for your kind words! It’s nice to meet another RRBC member here on Tina’s blog!
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You’re welcome, Diana. So glad you enjoyed John’s interview. I think we all have words within us that need to be expressed. Just like most of nature, we humans ripen at different times. When our season comes, some of us pick up a pen, while others pick up a brush, a chisel, a musical instrument ❤
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It’s one of the best things about being “ripened,” Tina. Great synonym for “up there in years.” Ha ha.
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Such a wonderful interview to share, John and Tina! 🙂
Journey into the Heart of Teaching and Reflections are absolute gems and highly recommended. I’m delighted to have a copy of both signed by John. Thank you, John! I revisit Reflections often.
Wishing you both a lovely day! 🙂
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Thank you very much for your ongoing support and kind recommendations, Natalie!
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Always a joy, John! Many thanks to you as well. 🌺
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Thank you, Natalie. John is a compelling writer. How fortunate that you have signed copies of his books! Enjoy the weekend, my friend ❤
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A great interview, Tina. I absolutely LOVE John’s blog posts. He is one of my favorite bloggers. Now I have to read his books!
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Well, I’m a big fan of yours, Jennie! Thanks for your kind support!
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My pleasure! 🙂
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Thank you, Jennie. I think that makes you one of John’s sisters! ❤
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Lucky me! 😀
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I feel like I’m the lucky one!
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😊
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John is a great inspiration – thanks for the interview.
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You’re welcome, Mary. And thank you for the follow. I have reciprocated ❤
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Thank you for your kind words, Mary – greatly appreciated!
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Wonderful interview and inspirational video, John! 🙂 xo
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Thank you for dropping in, Bette ❤
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Thanks, Bette, how sweet of you to say so, dear! Hugs!
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Hi John,
I too love inspirational quotes. I used them in my book that I just published “What Did I Do?” and I use them with my blogs. I can’t wait to read your book.
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Thanks for stopping by, Chuck ♥
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Thank you very much, Chuck – great minds think alike! I appreciate your comment.
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Tina, thank you so much for hosting John here and it’s lovely to learn so much about him! I feel inspired reading about his throughts and work…wow, so many blogs! I have trouble keeping one up to date! I like the idea of a small personal essay around each quote and best of luck on Genesis series.😀❤️
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Annika, thank you for your sweet comment! Good to meet you here at Tina’s place.
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You’re welcome, Annika. I’m also inspired by John. As to keeping up with blogs … I think we all could do with a sturdy pair of roller skates! Scratch that ~ a moped! 🙂 ❤️
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I’m thinking Formula 1, Tina!
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Ferrari or Mercedes, John? 🙂
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Thanks, Tina and very good luck to John!
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Welcome, Olga ♥
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Thank you very much, Olga!
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John’s blog is a personal favourite so I enjoyed seeing him spotlighted here, Tina! I have his book Reflections and am looking forward to delving into it – especially now that I know the story behind its making! Hugs to you both ❤
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I love John’s writing, Christy. I, too, have his book and am looking forward to the read. Hugs back to you ♥
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Thank you, Christy, I’m so grateful for your support as a writer and as a blogger. You made my day! Hugs!
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Now I’m the one beaming! 🙂
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Amazing!!!
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Thank you!
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