Daniel Segall
 

First time, St. Petersburg, Florida, author Daniel K. Segall introduces us to his world and the world he would like to see for all of us. Mr. Segall has had numerous harrowing experiences which he feels makes him eligible to express his views on many of today’s most important topics. He is definitely a little jaded and opinionated. Nonetheless, Mr. Segall presents some good arguments to justify his thoughts, and in the end you can’t help but agree with him at least a little. This non-fiction tale is short and bitter-sweet which makes it a perfect one evening read.

The book is available at all online retailers, it can be purchased locally at Haslam’s Book Store in St. Petersburg, or you can contact Wasteland Press for more information. http://itsmystoryandimstucktoit.com

 

PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Daniel Segall: I grew up in New Orleans and my parents had an extensive library in the house. Although reading was not one of my major past times I always enjoyed reading. I attended one of the best schools in the city, Isidore Newman which, besides having a great library, had an annual book fair exposing us to literature. From a young age I found myself reading a lot of science fiction for fun. As I grew older I was definitely enthralled with George Orwell. I enjoyed writing and was always told by my instructors that I was too flowery. At this point of my life I believe I have become a little more succinct.

 

PageOneLit.com: Briefly discuss your new book IT'S MY STORY & I'M STUCK TO IT? What was the motivation to share your life's thoughts and experiences in this book?

Daniel Segall: Since probably, 2004 I have wanted to write a book about my observations. Since I consider myself to be a work-a-holic, I never allocated any real time to writing. I jotted down ideas and even put together an outline, but that was about as far as I got. My motivation to actually sit down and write the book came after I had to make a necessary but unfulfilling business decision. After leaving the adult clubs and before embarking on a new direction, I thought I should take the time to finally express myself. Having been given a pass by God numerous times, I felt the urgency (you never know when He’ll revoke the pass) to express my views. We all try to find our place in the universe. My destiny might actually be to share my observations, views, opinions and prognostications. I had the opportunity and I grabbed it.

PageOneLit.com: IT'S MY STORY & I'M STUCK TO IT really is a very good insightful and entertaining read.. You write, "Good guys do always finish last." Explain.

Daniel Segall: Perhaps it’s me being a little cynical, but I’ve put my heart and soul into my work more than a few times only to make others wealthy and leave me looking for a new direction. My story is not unlike many others on this planet. I’ve always been amazed that the guy offering a flim-flam seems to get ahead and leave everyone else hanging, while the honest hard working guy gets overlooked. It’s a tough world out there and it’s only getting tougher. Most of us are looking for that one break that seems to remain that elusive golden ring on the carousel.
The same cycle seems to ring true in the literary world as well. I truly believe my book is timely and pertinent. Unfortunately the media outlets and the people, who could help promote a book such as this, are too busy promoting their own agenda. I don’t really think I’ll finish last, but I’ll be somewhere in the middle with the masses when my race is over. Alas…the=2 0cycle continues.
 

 

PageOneLit.com: In IT'S MY STORY & I'M STUCK TO IT, you say you are a "Cat Person". Explain.

Daniel Segall: There are three reasons to consider me a cat person.

One is that I have always had cats as pets. After begging my mother to let me have a cat, I chose a calico kitten named “Cocoa”. Soon after getting Cocoa, our family was adopted by an expecting c at who we called “Big Momma” From that point forward we always had cats in the house, up to 13 at one time. Even today, my wife and I have 2 beautiful black cats.

The second consideration is that cats are very independent. I’ve always been an independent thinker going down my path to the beat of a different drummer. I look at something and imagine how to improve it. There is a lot of innovative thought described in the book.

Third is that cats are alleged to have 9 lives. I believe I’m on my 8th out of nine lives.

 

PageOneLit.com: When you were young you were a collector - You were 'intrigued by garbage trucks" Explain. Are you still a collector of what others toss away?

Daniel Segall: Garbage trucks were fascinating because they were huge and did an amazing job, compacting and taking all our refuse away. I am still a collector, but not necessarily of what others throw away. Yet, my wife does call me a pack rat because if I think something might have a long term value I do my best to keep it.

 

PageOneLit.com: In IT'S MY STORY & I'M STUCK TO IT you discuss and share your opinion on many subjects like; RELIGION, ADVERTISING, TERRORISM, DRUGS, GAMBLING and GLOBAL WARMING to mention a few -- Explain why you think/feel GLOBAL WARMING is "will become one of greatest money making inventions ever"?

Daniel Segall: Ever since the idea of global warming was introduced to us, it used the fear of us destroying our planet to make us change how we live our lives. The changes associated with diminishing the damage we cause the environment COSTS us all a lot of money to achieve. If you didn’t want to make changes, that was okay; you could just pay for using more than your fair share of the earth’s resources. To me when you can buy your way out of something, the CAUSE becomes less important than the MONEY. Going green is a good thing, but as I say in my book…it shouldn’t cost us an arm and a leg, and the U.S. cannot be the only participant.

 

PageOneLit.com: If you could be an elected President for 1 year - What would you do to improve the USA? And why?

Daniel Segall: I would try to implement my change in the election process I describe in my book. It would be a huge uphill battle because the congress would not take too kindly to losing their jobs after their first term. I would use the power of the media to get my message out to the people and get the electorate to help dictate the change. I would try to be a lot like the president look-a-like in the movie “Dave” who started treating the government like his own business. The government needs to be beholden to the people and it must function within its means.

PageOneLit.com: What do you hope to achieve with IT'S MY STORY & I'M STUCK TO IT?

Daniel Segall: I want to spread my ideas, but most of all let other independent thinkers out there realize that they are not the only ones that think the way they do. Maybe I can become a spokesperson for the SILENT MAJORITY.

PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?

Daniel Segall:  “Hope is Not a Strategy”

PageOneLit.com: What's next?

Daniel Segall:  To be a best selling author…okay let’s be real, to master a new business and keep track of my latest and greatest observations so I can put together the next volume of “My Story.”

 

PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Daniel Segall:  Snorkeling: It lets me escape our world to the tranquility of a peaceful planet under water. Collecting US currency: This is a recent hobby, but there is something to be said for the art that is contained on our currency. Not so much new money, but on the paper currency from 1865 to 1923. If I was to become successful from this book I would put some time into this hobby.
Working Out: More so an activity of survival versus a hobby.