Cubicle to Cuba: Desk Job to Dream Job
By Heidi Siefkas
Genre: Travel
In Heidi Siefkas’ third book, she shares a humorous collection of stories about her transition from the corporate world and cubicle land to traveling to Cuba while creating her dream job, a hybrid career writing and traveling. Her adventures not only include over one hundred days in Cuba, but also hiking in Peru, bungee jumping in New Zealand, living in Hawaii, and more.
In her signature down-to-earth vignettes and sassy humor, Heidi relays her many tales of the characters she has met, yummy recipes, and also the inevitable travel hiccups along the way. With this book, Heidi puts her favorite quote to good use, “Every occasion in life can be categorized as either a good time or a good story.”
About the Author
Heidi Siefkas is an author and adventurer. Originally from small-town Wisconsin, she calls many places home, including the Midwest and South Florida. Cubicle to Cuba is Heidi’s third book in a series starting with her debut memoir, When All Balls Drop and its sequel, With New Eyes. With an insatiable wanderlust, Heidi could be anywhere. However, you can connect with her virtually at www.heidisiefkas.com, Facebook, and Twitter, until your paths cross.
Cubicle to Cuba by Heidi Siefkas
Interview
Tell us about your genre. How did you come to choose it? Why does it appeal to you?
I write what I know best, non-fiction. All of my books are based on my own true stories. In fact, all three of my books are transformed journal entries. Cubicle to Cuba is a compilation of nearly five years of travel to Cuba and the perspective gained from travel to the once forbidden island. It will teach you about Cuba, but also inspire you to think out of the cubicle and travel more.
What do you find most challenging about the writing process, and how do you deal with it?
I have to say that the writing process is challenging, but editing is the absolute worst. Don’t get me wrong; writing is emotional. There are days that I feel that my writing is excellent and others that it’s garbage. However, when you start to get your editor or writing peers involved it takes your roller coaster of emotions to another level. I take every stage of writing and editing a book day by day. When I don’t know if I’m making the book better or worse, I sleep on it. And, when in doubt, let it go and turn it in for publishing.
When and where do you do your writing?
I wrote my journal entries on the road in Cuba, New Zealand, Australia, Kauai, Italy, Turkey, and more. However, the actual finessing of those journal entries into books was done in my two homes: Kauai and South Florida. I enjoy writing in the morning with a break midday to get away from my desk whether a good workout at the gym or a hike. The time away from my writing shifts my perspective to continue on into the afternoon.
What have you learned about promoting your books?
You never know what is going to resonate with your audience. Although my first two books were inspirational in nature, everyone always asked about my travels to Cuba. So, I wrote Cubicle to Cuba to share my adventures in Cuba and insight from my years there. This third book is my best yet. I have found that untraditional events and signings have worked for me whether a reading at a vineyard in my hometown followed by live music to a travel industry event in Los Angeles.
What are you most proud of as a writer?
I’m most proud of the impact my books have had on others. When I open my email or someone comes up to me at an event and comments on how their life has changed because of my powerful story, it makes it all worth it. I share my stories to inspire others to overcome obstacles and live an adventurous life.
If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about?
As I have been back and forth to Cuba so often, I would say Ernest Hemingway and his wife Martha Gellhorn. We would talk about our adventures in Cuba and take a dip in the pool or take a ride on their boat, Pilar.
