In addition to writing a book that just got nominated for the National Book Award (American Salvage) Bonnie also claims such diverse credentials as having worked for Ringling Brothers' Circus, having led bike tours of central Russia, and possessing at least one black belt in the very intimidating art of karate.
Her books tend to focus on rural Michigan, especially Kalamazoo where she grew up and now resides. Her characters cook meth, build fallout shelters for the millennium, and generally act with an exciting eccentricity that is not at all surprising once you've met Bonnie, who is herself an exciting and eccentric person.
From the interview I have culled a large number of fascinating anecdotes, which will be made available through the Rough Copy blog as soon as I get done transcribing this thing.
Interpolation on transcribing: Transcribing interviews is a HUGE pain in the ass. It involves just the right mixture of labor and tedium required to drive a person absolutely insane. My personal recommendation on the subject: avoid entering a career where transcriptions are frequently necessary, or, failing that, get an intern to do it.
Back to the meat of this: Bonnie was incredibly friendly and fascinating. She has what my grandfather would refer to as "horse sense." I enjoy talking with authors as the lack of funds involved with creating their art generally means that they have to live a much more "down-to-Earth" existence than most artistic folk. They have to work menial jobs, live in run-down, uneducated towns and deal day to day with a wide swath of the human mess. As a result they often possess (in addition to the intelligence and curiosity necessary to be an artist) a sense of humor and a realization of their own limitations that makes them far more pleasant human beings.
But anyway...
Bonnie told me some curious things about her process (she never outlines anything, not even novels) and some curious tidbits related to her life (when a horse dies you have to bury it with the feet facing up, as she apparently learned the hard way).
But check out the blog for all of that. In the meantime keep waiting with what I can only assume is handsomely baited breath.
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