If you haven’t done so already, check out Bonnie’s award-winning story “One Side of the Vase” and then return here for a chat with the author.
WOW: Congratulations on placing in the Summer 2018 Flash Fiction Contest! What excited you most about writing this story?
Bonnie: This story was written for a writing class in which we were to take our storyline from one of several suggested methods, a postcard or photo, a conversation we'd overheard or something we'd read in a magazine or newspaper. The next day I read an article, only a few lines, about an operation wherein the incorrect kidney had been removed and knew I had a story. The newspaper did not say who it was or which hospital was involved or how on earth it happened. But I became obsessed. I had no idea the real situation of the story but I knew in my story the doctor had to be a man. (What woman makes such a mistake?!) I also wanted it to feed into the doctor/father/god syndrome so her reaction (had to be a young woman patient) would seem realistic. And as for his childhood story I'd had that scene in my head for years and years and was delighted to find a home for it.
WOW: What a good combination of ideas to create this story! Did you learn anything about yourself or your writing while crafting this piece?
Bonnie: I learned, and was surprised to find with this story, once I began I wouldn’t stop until I had finished it. Usually I get going after a long drought and write for hours and hours but eventually I come to a stand-still and put the story away for months or years because I’m stuck, most often by the plot line or lack thereof. So in this case, having essentially been given a plot I was able to work on revising the story which happily is my favorite aspect of writing. With every rewrite I would think, No need for this! No need for that! So the short, short form is ideal. I absolutely loved trying to figure out what this doctor could possibly say to his patient and if and how he would possibly be redeemed.
WOW: Sounds like a positive process for you this time, almost like a game. We’re glad you persisted with your revisions! In your bio you mentioned that you wrote a bilingual English/Japanese book Hideki and Kenji Save the Day. Could you tell us more about your collaboration on that project?
Bonnie: Hideki and Kenji Save the Day was written for a Japanese friend whose family survived the Tsunami and subsequent earthquakes several years ago. She told me her boys were frightened and had trouble sleeping at night after the incident. I cavalierly said I would write them a book and her response was so grateful that of course I had to follow through. I collaborated with a friend who was studying Japanese with me and together we wrote the story of two little boys who befriend an earthquake-causing baby dinosaur. We attempted to find a publisher but the necessity of it being bilingual and immediate made it impossible so we self-published. The process turned out to be interesting and worked well, although we should have titled it something a bit easier to search for online. (A tip to you self-publishers out there!)
WOW: I love hearing the stories behind the story! Thank you for sharing that with us. What are you reading right now, and why did you choose to read it?
Bonnie: Right now I am re-reading Robin Black’s wonderful collection of short stories If I Loved You I Would Tell You This and trying to figure out how she does it!
WOW: Great! I hope you learn something new and useful. If you could give your younger self one piece of writing advice, what would it be and why?
Bonnie: No doubt like many other writers I would say: Believe in yourself. But I would add: Perhaps you should consider actually sitting down from time to time and writing just a teeny bit more. (I need to give that same advice to my older self today.)
WOW: I could benefit from that advice lately, too! Anything else you’d like to add?
Bonnie: Absolutely. I want to thank you for these questions and WOW for this opportunity.
WOW: You are very welcome! Thank you again for sharing your stories and for your other thoughtful responses! Congratulations again, and happy writing!
Interviewed by Anne Greenawalt, who keeps a blog of journal entries, memoir snippets, interviews, training logs, and profiles of writers and competitive female athletes.
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