Meet Bravewarrior (a self-interview writing challenge)
Interview myself? Are you kidding me?
As is true of most writers, I’m not comfortable talking about myself. But part of becoming known as a writer is to go outside your comfort zone. So, here I take the leap and hope there’s a net at the bottom to catch me if I fall.
I hesitated in taking this challenge. However, I saw many of my writer friends jumping on the trampoline without a safety net, so I thought, “hey, if they can do it, so can I”!
When I was a kid, if you dared me to do something I stepped up to the plate, whether the dare was stupid or potentially dangerous. Have I lost my oomph? Have I lost the dare-devil that has taken me through decades of unknown paths? Had I not done so, I’d not be where I am, so why stop now?
Can you hear the conversation I’ve been having with myself over this challenge?
If I can talk to myself, why not interview myself? No reason, you say? I agree.
So, here we go….
Some background
You can read about my professional background on my profile page (click the link below my avatar), so I won’t repeat myself.
Instead, I’ll tell you some things you don’t know.
Date of Birth: March 3, 1957
Time of Birth: 9:03 p.m. (that means something in my astrological chart)
Place of Birth: Madonna Hospital, Denison, Texas
Height: 5’2”
Hair Color: Brown, Gray, Silver (chestnut before age set in)
Eye Color: Blue
Ethnicity: American born of Italian, Irish, English, Scottish, German, and Cherokee heritage
Education: High school honor grad, 30th out of 300 students
Certifications: 1983 TV/Radio certification from Brown Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Second in class
K, now that we’ve got stats out of the way, let me put on my “I’m-someone-else-hat” and get on with the interview.
Actors Studio questions
Writers are actors who hide behind the screen of the written word, so this should be a piece of cake. Just so you know I’ve covered my eyes so you can’t see me! LOL
What is your favorite word?
I’d have to say my favorite word is juxtaposition. I love the sound of the word. When we were young, my dad would have us learn five vocabulary words a day. And, I mean young. I was thrilled that my peers had never heard of the word, let alone knew what it meant. It’s a really big word with a simple meaning, yet it’s rarely used in conversation or text.
What is your least favorite word?
At the risk of being flagged, my least favorite word is penis. I simply don’t like the way it sounds. I much prefer the slangs when addressing that part of the male anatomy. It just doesn’t sound right to use the proper word. Especially when you’re telling someone they’re being a ____!
What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Many things inspire me in those areas:
- Hearing the birds greet and begin a new day
- Sunrise
- Sunset
- Music
- Smiles
- Seeing elderly couples walk hand in hand
- Nature
- Seeing the sun’s rays reach down through the clouds and the trees. Every time I see that I say, “hello, God!”
- Rainbows
- Hugs
- Not being the first to say, “I love you”
This certainly isn’t all that inspires me, but it’s what comes to mind foremost.
What turns you off creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
- Arguing
- Judgment
- Negativity
- Boys who feel the need to show their boxers. Pull your damned pants up!
- People who constantly complain
What sound or noise do you love?
I have to answer this question from the memories of a little girl. Sure, I have favorite sounds now as an adult, but I doubt they’ll last as long as this one:
My favorite sound is the car slowly rolling over a rock-paved drive-in theater. My folks would put us in our pajamas and Mom would pop a big brown bag full of popcorn. To this day, I pop corn in a pot. No microwave popcorn or air-popper for this little girl!
What sound or noise do you hate?
I don’t know if hate is the right word, so I’ll translate the question to, what sound or noise grates on your nerves?
Without a doubt, fingernails scraped on a blackboard grates on my nerves. It gives me the willy-nilly heebie-jeebies.
What is your favorite curse word?
In my neck of the words, it’s called a cuss word. And I’d have to say it’s the F-word. It just fits into so many conversations and really gets the point across. It might not be lady-like, but what woman is lady-like when she’s cussing??
What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
At age 57, I’m not thinking of attempting any other career than the one I’m trying to get a grasp on, so I’ll answer this from the perspective of a much younger me.
When I was in high school, I spent some time with Mongoloid children and adults. Their unconditional and honest love was heartwarming. I think I’d like to work with kids who have a harder way to go than the rest of us.
What profession would you not like to do?
At one point in my (younger) life, I thought about becoming a nurse. However, I can’t stand the sight of blood and don’t do well with severed limbs, etc. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I don’t react well.
I have such huge respect for our medical professionals. They are much bigger people than I can ever think of becoming.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“Welcome, Shauna. You done good.” Of course, he wouldn't use bad grammar, but you get my gist.
Challenging questions
These are questions that Jennifer asked us to answer should we accept her challenge. I think these may be the hardest questions of all to tackle.
In the film version of your autobiography, who would you like to play you?
I’m thinking Julia Roberts would do a good job of portraying me and the many facets of my life. She’s pretty, but can pull off being a bad girl. I spent much of my twenties and thirties being the bad girl that surprised you because of my petite stature, intelligence, and good looks. I’m not being conceited, but I was able to walk in all crowds from the elite to hard-core biker because of my looks and intelligence. Julia Roberts is versatile enough to pull that off. The only thing is she’d have to have her co-stars wear elevated shoes to make her look as short as I am! Plus, she’d have to wear blue contacts.
What quality or talent do you wish you could cultivate?
This isn't really a fair question, because I can cultivate anything I wish. However, one thing I wish I would have kept up with is playing the piano. I was given lessons by a concert pianist at a very young age. However, I was a rebel and quit because my mother enforced my daily hourly practice. Had she left me alone, I would have been fine because I loved playing the piano. It was being forced that rubbed me the wrong way. Now I know I cut off my nose to spite my face.
Who is your favorite fictional character ever?
This is a tough one. I don’t really have favorite characters, but I do have favorite authors. However, I need to think outside of the books that line my shelves in order to answer this.
When I really think about it, I’d have to say Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. She had to overcome separation from her family, fear of the dark woods, yet still found the strength to help the Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion, and The Scarecrow find what they were looking for. Together, they battled the Wicked Witch of the West, the flying monkeys, and the huge, scary presence of Oz himself. Yet, she never lost faith. She found her way home. To me, Dorothy is the epitome of faith, love, and strength of character.
If you could have the career of any author, who would it be?
Dean Koontz, hands down. He’s my favorite author. I’ve read almost everything he’s written, from when he penned himself as Dean R. Koontz to present day. There’s only one book I didn’t care for; that’s a pretty good track record. He’s not predictable. He’s not gory. He deals more with the paranormal than plots so scary I can’t sleep at night. He stays out of the limelight, yet everyone knows who he is. He’s humble and successful. That’s what I’d like to achieve in my writing career.
How to Encourage Creative Writing in Your Children
What inspires you?
I've already answered this. Basically, life inspires me. Emotions inspire me. You have no idea how many times I've gotten up out of bed and started a poem or an article based on the hurt I was feeling at the time. Fortunately, I don’t publish them. Writing them down releases me and that’s all it takes for me to resume my comfort zone. I choose to write pieces that uplift, inform, or send my readers into a fantasy world.
When did you first realize you were a writer?
When I was in 7th grade, our teacher asked us to write a story based on the Dragnet series. She gave us some prompts. We were to use a baseball bat, garbage can, sneaker, and a dollar bill. Rather than use those prompts as props, I turned them into characters, with each speaking in the first person. I got an A++ on my story. I wish I still had the composition book, because I could really gain from reconnecting with my creative self at that age.
And Now For Something a Little Different
At this point, I’m to come up with my own self-interview questions. Come on, Jennifer, you’re really pushing it, aren’t you?
Okay, remember what I said about dares? Hmm. Give me a minute (or a day) to think.
What is your biggest regret in life?
I really only have one. I don’t regret most of the decisions I made in life because I learned and grew from them. However, there is one:
I regret having stepped out of my copywriting career in the 1980s. I was successful and had a blast. I was good at what I did. I wrote TV commercials that were aired on local network affiliates. I had it made.
Had I stuck with it, I would have naturally morphed into today’s market and technology. Instead, I have to learn all over again. I have no contacts and absolutely no clue about the editing end of television media, whereas I once did. I was not only a copywriter, but an assistant producer. Too much time and way too much technology has come to be since then. Plus – stupid me – I never thought to save my copy or get dubs of my TV commercials. I could kick myself in the ass!
Are you willing to interview yourself and share with us?
What advice do you have to offer to those who are considering writing as a career choice?
I have three words: Go For It. If it’s in your mind and in your heart, it’s something that needs to be nourished. Write whenever you can and whatever comes to mind, even if you don’t share it. And save everything you write. You never know when you’ll need to call upon your work.
Create a new crowd of friends: writers. Get advice, opinions, critiques; do whatever you can to have your love of writing encompass your world. Learn what you can and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You only lose if you don’t try.
Out of curiosity, why do you call yourself Bravewarrior?
Simply put, because I am. I don’t mean to be snotty, but I’ve never let anything get me down or hold me back.
To be honest, I became Bravewarrior when I was about nine years old. I lived in Philly from age eight to the summer before I entered ninth grade. Across the street from our row house was an empty lot filled with trees and black raspberry bushes. I’d squish the berries and apply them to my face, as Bravewarrior or I’d use the berries to make dinner as a Cherokee squaw.
It wasn’t until 2011 that Bravewarrior gained a presence and went from imagination to reality. You can read how I became Bravewarrior by clicking here.
Bing Crosby's Version of Getting to Know You
Conclusion
This was difficult at first, but very enlightening in the end. Jennifer, I thank you for creating this challenge. I would recommend everyone give this a shot, even if you don’t post it. You’ll learn a lot about yourself.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2014 Shauna L Bowling
Comments
I mean, I am blessed to have read this hub of yours.
Thank God I got to read this. Nice hub. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sha,
I'm back for another read and I must say I enjoyed this just as much as I did the first time. You're quite an amazing person and a gifted writer. I think you can be accomplished in whatever you pursue.
Your precious picture taken in 1959, show the sweetest face I've ever seen Love this self interview and love you!.
Shauna, you met the challenge and then some. I enjoyed the questions you asked yourself—not cliche at all like a lot of interviews. Loved the question about sounds and what turns you on creatively. An enjoyable read and it’s nice that you put yourself out there!!
Sha, I enjoyed this so much! What an amazing writer you are. I love your style. I'm so glad you rose to the challenge and wrote this great interview. You and my mother share the same birthday - March the 3rd. You and I are both 5'2. Love your photos.
Came back for another read, and its still as awesome the second time round! lol!
I loved this...found myself chuckling in a few areas. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I think I will accept the challenge, especially with the New Year beginning. It is a great time to reflect and re-examine ourselves. Thanks, again, for sharing.
Hello Bravewarrior, I dropped back by to refresh my memory of these traits that make you who you are. Amazing to read about your broadcasting history and copywriting experience. I believe that each of us is who we are because of what we've been through. You certainly have a varied background which lends itself to many writing prompts. I liked the story about the school writing challenge. Back in those days, teachers inspired students to read and share their imagination through writing.
I got a laugh when I reread this because of your honesty about your favorite cuss word. Bravo for that. I can get pretty creative with it as well. I bet you add some margaritas and we could really have some fun.
I think in writing this hub you have lived up to your name 'bravewarrior'! I'm not sure I could be that brave. Maybe I could take your advice about writing, but not posting it. Ha ha! It would probably be quite refreshing. Thumbs up!!!
Wow, you did a great job with your interview, Shauna! I'm much less willing to share so many facts about and facets of myself, even if I cover my eyes so you can't see me. You are, indeed, a brave warrior. So nice to know you!
I loved reading your own interview. Well done. I have started on my own in a draft, but I like the questions you asked yourself. That suddenly reminded me of an genuine interview from a radio show. If I could ever find it I could use it! Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing this look in the mirror with us. It's fascinating to see what kind of person is behind the words we read.
I started my interview a couple of months ago. Never got around to finishing it. Or the 5 other hubs I started at one time. Maybe one day. So many ideas, so little time. Anyway...stopped by to say hello! :)
Juxtapose- what a great word! And your resson for choosing Dorothy as your favorite character caused me to look at her in a new light. Thanks. Wonderful interview and interesting to read.
Okay, I'll be the first to say it.....I love you Bravewarrior, for seeing this challenge through and revealing so much of yourself with humor, candor and excellent writing. This was a lot of fun to read.
I am very impressed, both by the work in progress you you have created and by this self-interview.
Nice to know more about you, Sha!
A wonderful interview Sha and voting up up and away!!!
Happy new year to you my dear friend and lots of love from Wales.
Eddy.
That is truly an out of the box Idea , having an interview with yourself. I saved your date of birth, time and place for my training in the human design charts that I'm investigating for my novel characters, but I love do yours ( with your permission) for my next post on 'The Human Design'.
Love your conversation style loaded with lots of wit. I can relate to your writing from your emotions, and then keeping them to yourself. Great personality. Great article.
lol! yes dancing, having a drink and a 'chin wag' as we say over here!
He is isn't he? I found three books in the charity store, one I had read before, but bought anyway and two others, he is much better than Stephen King. we would get on really well if we met, and what laughs we would have! I loved reading this, have a great evening, nell
Hiya, this was fascinating! I also love Dean Koontz, in fact I am reading Relentless as we 'speak' lol! I have read all of his other books but somehow this one got away from me! You are one tough cookie Shauna, and I love it! especially the bit when you said you could talk to all walks of life from high ups to bikers etc, sounds like me! I love the name bravewarrior and how you came by it too, great read, and lovely to learn all about you!
You did a wonderful job with this! I also took piano when I was young and like you, rebelled against practicing for that hour every single day! I enjoyed learning more about you and I remember the piece you wrote about why you call yourself Brave Warrior. (You truly are!)
I miss you too. Check your messages.x
Hallo :)
Your interview answers were very interesting and even though some years have passed , you remain beautiful inside and out. I like your honesty and drive, and I have a feeling your individual story has a very long and fruitful tale still to be told. I hope you are well.
Anna.
Congratulations on taking the challenge and doing such a great job at the interview. You've presented things that made me think about my own childhood bravery, tenacity and staying power with your innovative questions and frank answers. Interesting that you were born in Texas. So were my Mom and brother. I discovered quite a bit about you from this. Well done!
Shauna, I loved reading about you. You are a real interesting person. Yes I too will take the challenge and do the interview, but it will take some time.
Voted up UABI and will share
Blessing to you dear friend.
I love how you came to name yourself Bravewarrior. You have such a fresh positive view of life and one that inspires others to appreciate the simple things that make us happy. Thanks for a peek into your life.
Thank you, Shauna, for sharing YOU! This was so interesting and compelling to read!
Great interview and enjoyed reading and getting to know more about you, thank you for sharing this.
I'm glad you decided to interview yourself! This hub is interesting, enjoyable and informative. Thanks for introducing me to Dean Koontz. I'll investigate his work.
Oh yes. I never thought of that. Massive fail on the joke-front. Next time :-)
Shauna, I'd love to see Julia Roberts play you in your movie, for sure!! ;-)
"Boys who feel the need to show their boxers. Pull your damned pants up!"
:-D :-D You and me both, sugar!
Seriously though, Shauna, I'm a little concerned; I'm not so sure I believe you when you state you gave up playing piano for being a rebel:
'pianist - penis'. Very similar to my ears. Loves playing, hated the word?
;-)
Only joking. Better not to regret too much though, you've done pretty well for yourself.
The commercial stuff as well, wow! I have to say, I also regret having lost lots of my early years writing stuff. Makes you wonder what we were thinking at the time. Or maybe we weren't thinking at all.
Brilliant interview, my friend xx
Awesome, indeed. Very interesting and inspiring interview. Your experiences are great. Really a Brave Warrior. And your advice to writers is good. Keep on writing, whether publish or not and store a copy.
Voted up and awesome.
You are indeed a brave warrior to step into this challenge Sha! Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading this but like you, I also don't like the sound of fingernails being scraped on a blackboard. Ewww....now, it's in my head. Damn!
Good hub! Good job! Keep it up and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend.
Love from the sky~
Way to go my friend. And now I know so much more about you. I've read a lot of Koontz, and you know me, I love horror. Keep up the good work my dear.
Shauna, this was great. I'm glad you interviewed yourself. It's so much easier to get to know people when we know their backgrounds and what makes them tick. My mother used to pop huge paper bags of popcorn to take to the drive in movies and like you, I always pop corn in a pot. I eat it several times a week too. :) And "Watchers"....one of the best books I've ever read. I cried like a baby in the end.
I love anyone who can curse with the best of them but cleans up well. You're a beautiful lady and were a gorgeous little girl as well. Don't have regrets, don't look back, just forward. You are the person you are today because of the choices you made, good and bad.
I'm just not sure anyone would want to read about an ole' gal from the South who has had many occupations (Jack of all trades, master of NONE)!! I did enjoy reading about you, though. Thanks for sharing all this!
I think you should take up the piano again, I have played all my life and it is an important part of my life.
Shauna: You did great job on this interview. I so enjoyed reading it and I now know you a little better! I love that you worked in copy writing and broadcasting - what a great writing career you have had. It shows in the many diverse hubs you publish here. I also pop my own popcorn out of a pot rather than microwave. I hate the microwave stuff! LOL!
So good to read about you from your own words. You did a great job on this challenge.
Bravewarrior, I found your interview to be very interesting and I'm glad to know you a little better. ;-) Sincerely, Mel
Nice work as usual, Sha. FYI, my vote is (so far) the lone "No Way Hose-A!" when it comes to self-interviewing. Not an issue here, of course, my time as a Hubber having come and gone, but were I to slip up and be a mite too truthful in a self-interview, I could find myself in super-hot water. Unless, of course, the statute of limitations has run out in seven or eight states....
LoVed this hub. I've often thought of doing something like this! Great blueprint. Voted up!
127