Bonnie: Aloha Diane. Do you believe in true seers? What if I told you that 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 and the world needs to hear your voice." She predicted my writing "teaching books."

My vocation is not teaching. Not to mention that I did not possess the computer symbolized in her hand-painted china teacup, or the necessary wisdom to discern whether people would listen to or learn from the pitiful voice of a lifetime victim. From time to time, the divination flashed across the screen of my consciousness, but I am certain you are aware of this truth Diane -- we're not ready until we are. When we are ready, we proceed to accomplish our souls' mission.

We are born to serve. In a perfect world I would have arrived in a "normal" family of origin for the nourishment of my talents. This is not true of abused children where the perpetrator repeatedly reinforces our unworthiness and any expression of creativity is stifled. My writing was a safe survival mechanism, a closet occupation, which could not evolve into a vehicle of service to humanity until I embarked on the journey of self-transformation. Twelve-steps twice and twelve years later, the Creator awakened my Real Writer identity.

Now, about CHOCOLATE DAYS & SHADOWS, I didn't just write it, I told it over a period of four years to my granddaughter, Ashley and my children, Jackie and Steve. In essence, the stories birthed the book.

Regarding the title, Ash experienced "chocolate days" when Steve took her to the movie or somewhere, stuffed her full of chocolate, and afterwards she transformed into a tiny terror. That's the first part...

"I don't stand in Mommy's shadow anymore." I wrote the last line first, for two reasons -- one, by beginning with the end, I validated a personal commitment to write the beginning and middle and two, by virtue of action the victim transformed into a victor.

In addition, the title conveys the book's message by metaphor. The victim is invited to "get thee out of the shadows and give thyself permission to eat chocolate, or do whatever soothes thy wounded spirit."

Diane: The promotional text for CHOCOLATE DAYS & SHADOWS states that this "is an autobiography, and yet..." And yet, the text continues, it is "about you," "by you," and "for you." Can you expand upon this?

Bonnie: Does not my voice symbolically speak about, through and for every abused child, everywhere? Are not our stories the same -- the physical pain hurt and the emotional pain wounded our psyches.

I am one abused child that finally found the courage to speak on behalf of and in tribute to the frightened and timid among us who were conditioned to keep the secret. My aim is for the world to hear not one small voice, but many. I hope that in some phenomenal way we, the abused children, can help raise collective consciousness to the point that people recognize abuse for the ugly monster it is and compel them to do something, anything, to prevent or halt witnessed or suspected abuse.

If CHOCOLATE DAYS & SHADOWS incites one victim to get out of an abusive situation, I urge them to help one person, and that person to help one person, ad infinitum. All is circles.

Diane: I read that you made "a divine promise" to use CHOCOLATE DAYS & SHADOWS as a vehicle to help abused children. In fact, a portion of the book's proceeds are donated to this cause.

Bonnie: And so it is!

Diane: What do you hope to achieve/impart with your sequel, CIRCLES BEYOND THE SHADOWS, which I understand you are currently writing?

Bonnie: Sweet serendipity intervened to create the sequel's demise; however, all that might have been said in CIRCLES is in THE BOOK.

The universe is generous with second chances. I'm excited about my current project. Inscriptions of Hope, a new publishing company, contacted me to write booklets for abuse survivors. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue my mission of "helping the children." 

Diane: You have also written THE BOOK: A PRIMER FOR SEEKERS OF HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS (http://www.dlsijpress.com/doss2/index.shtml). According to reviewer Judine Bishop Slaughter, you combine "ancient wisdom from many cultures to teach a systematic approach to higher wisdom." Tell us more about this book, and what readers can learn from it. How did your interest in this subject matter develop?

Bonnie: We've all experienced them -- chance encounters, synchronicities, meaningful coincidences, events which defy explanation using the rational mind, yet impact our lives on a spiritual level. My epiphany happened when a high school friend and I reunited on the Internet after 40 years.

During our separateness, Avatar (as I have named his energy) was busy becoming a man of super-consciousness. When this became evident to me, I asked and he agreed to assume the role of my mentor.

First, he assigned rare books way, way beyond the comfort of my consciousness level. I struggled to translate fragmented and obscure wisdom teachings into a workable and understandable modern-day system.

Then, he assigned life. I observed my surroundings and examined my every thought, word and deed. When he assigned nature, I sat in lemon-yellow sunrises and deep purple sunsets until I could see with "new eyes." I explored opposites -- touching soft feathers and hard rocks; tasting sweet dark chocolate and sour grapes; hearing harsh and subtle sounds; seeing dim and bright. When I understood that a speck of light is in the darkness and vice versa, I could comprehend an unchanging world of no opposites.

Avatar contends that in higher consciousness, we live meditation, so that instead of a mantra, he designed my personal position. I spent many hours in this position until I could remove myself from surround sound and hear wisdom in solitude.

For a long, long time, I sought the gap between thunder and lightening and when I found it, Avatar said, "Aureole, it's time to write The Book."

Finally, Avatar wrote the chapter titles, and I wrote our Truth. 

What can the reader learn? As much as his or her potential allows!

Diane: What advice has been most useful to you with regards to attaining success as an electronically published author?

Bonnie: I am the real wrong person to answer this question. As Frankie sang, "I did it my way." I wrote both books without illusion of grandeur, with the humble and high honor of serving. 

I would say to the aspiring author -- Do not worry about success. Search your intention until it is pure, write simple words and trust the Power that is greater than we are to provide. 

Diane, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to your audience. To you, the staff at Mind Like Water and your devoted readers -- Namaste.

-- Bonnie Doss
CHOCOLATE DAYS & SHADOWS:
http://www.dlsijpress.com/doss/index.shtml
THE BOOK: A PRIMER FOR SEEKERS OF HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS:
http://www.dlsijpress.com/doss2/index.shtml