Topic: Author Interview
Bonnie Doss-Knight the person:
1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?
Serious, shy, short
2. How do you think others would describe you?
I polled a couple of friends - the first said, "Spiritual. Reserved in a crowd." The other said, "Spiritual, focused, compassionate."
3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.
My spiritual journey, reading extensively and researching ancient/esoteric spiritual practices.
Before the arthritis grabbed me, (a residual trauma of childhood abuse) I accumulated about ten-thousand miles across the dance floor. These days, I could still manage a slow waltz, except that musicians (my husband is one) notoriously have two left feet!
4. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce us to them.
Does The Hubear (my husband Hubert) count? No?
Then, four-legged ones do not currently own us, but with sixteen trees, a plethora of bamboo and tangled vines, our backyard resembles a rain forest and all species of creatures live together in peace.
5. What is your most precious memory?
Looking into the eyes of my newborn daughter. The ancients say we arrive on earth with our memories of Original Home intact. It is an awesome experience to see wisdom.
Sadly, we are conditioned to forget from where we came, until it is time for us to return.
6. What is your most embarrassing memory?
Once upon a time...I met a gorgeous guy, who looked like Patrick Swayze, who ask me for a dance. Suddenly, I felt a cold draft. The zipper on my jeans had broken! And, I broke into a run toward the ladies room. A very nice lady loaned me a couple of pins and put me back together again. Also, I wore a long silk shirt, which fortunately covered-up the damage.
We danced.
7. If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?
My daughter and I formerly owned a gift-basket business. It was a blessing to see the sick folks smile and the little children laugh when we delivered our baskets. So, if I had my way, we'd make pretty baskets again.
8. In two paragraphs or less write your obituary.
As a Truth Teacher, I advocate that the energy we sent out returns to us. Since I'm not ready to cross over just yet, I respectfully decline to write a premature obituary.
Bonnie Doss-Knight the writer:
9. Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a "real" writer?
In high school, I wrote a fashion column for the school newspaper and my teacher commented that he looked forward to seeing my byline in the New York Times!
When I was about 38, a Gypsy tealeaf reader "saw" me sitting at a computer writing two books twelve years before their conception. She said, "You have a powerful story to tell and the world needs to hear your voice. You will write two teaching books."
At that point in time, I didn't own a computer and as the adult child of an abusive alcoholic mother, I could not conceive of a world, which wanted to listen, much less learn from the pitiful voice of a lifetime victim.
However, I wrote the first sentence of "Chocolate Days & Shadows" (the memoirs of an adult child of an alcoholic) when I was 50. At last, I've proved her prediction - I wrote "The Book - a primer for seekers of higher consciousness" and "Beyond Blue", my second "teaching" book is in the final edit process.
10. What is going on with your writing these days?
"Beyond Blue" is coming soon. It is my testament for and about abused children of any age, creed or color, who want MORE. This little pocketful of miracles shows the victim how to metamorphose from their enforced shell of survival and emerge as beautiful spirit beings that they are.
11. What are your future goals for your writing?
I'm navigating uncharted waters (for me) by writing short stories. Baby-stepping out of my genre and into fiction is quite a challenge.
12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?
Unstructured. I have a "real" job and, at times, the arthritis pain is severe, so that I must either type through the pain or research. Of course, I can always pick up my Spiritual Pen and free write.
13. Why do you write?
Why do I breathe-in and breathe-out? Because I must!
14. What writer most inspires you? Why?
I have this vision. I am on a writerly cruise to Maui and I meet my favorite author Stuart Wilde, and say, "Please, mentor me."
He answers, "Super! Why don't we collaborate on our next book Bonnie?"
Mr. Wilde is an inspiration because of his wit and esoteric wisdom. Many times, when I became discouraged while working on "The Book", I would take a timeout and read his work.
15. How do you define your writing?
I see my writing as a pilgrimage, from the victim I was to the whole, free, peaceful woman I am. In my memoirs, I began the journey. In "The Book", I really learned to know myself, through the guidance of my mentor and exposed arcane knowledge to confused seekers. Finally, in "Beyond Blue", I encouraged other victims/former victims to know Truth about who they are.
The "Begin to Remember" workbooks - "Know Thyself" and "Alchemy Thy Abundance" - are based on the ancient adage that all we need to know is within us, we only have to remember.
16. In one sentence-what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?
She was REAL.
Bonnie Doss-Knight the details:
17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?
My website is: http://esotericjournal.com/
18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?
They may e-mail from the website and/or comment there.
19. Can you list all your book titles so people can look for them?
"Chocolate Days & Shadows"; "The Book - a primer for seekers of higher consciousness" and "Beyond Blue". The workbooks are: "Know Thyself" and "Alchemy Thy Abundance".
20. For new readers-what can they expect when they read your book(s)?
Because I am a shy, serious, spiritual person they will know only Truth. They will know truth about me from my memoirs and they will know truth about themselves from The Teachings. I believe nothing is higher than Truth.
In conclusion:
21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers-what would you like them to know about you and your writing?
Greetings SpiritFriend:
In a perfect world, we would have arrived in a "normal" family of origin committed to the nourishment of our spiritual gifts. This is not true of abused children where the perpetrator repeatedly reinforces our unworthiness and any expression of creativity is stifled.
Never lose sight of your vision. I began my first book at age 50. To recognize your spiritual gift comes with an obligation. To use it for the highest good of all.
I wish for you the power of discernment and the passion to pursue your creativity. If you are a writer, never abuse the power and beauty of words.
May you walk in balance.
And so it is.
