I met Nathalie a few years ago at the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference (now, sadly, defunct). We weren’t in a workshop together, but the conference was known for it’s friendliness, and the camaraderie not only among the participants but with the faculty as well. (I mean I got to hang out with Wally Lamb!) I’d attended the conference both as a participant, then as an intern when I came to New Mexico for my MFA program. In 2013 I worked for the conference and produced some video for the 15 year anniversary. I couldn’t help but interview Nathalie–somehow I knew I was supposed to know her (you can fast forward to 4:43 on the video below to see her). She later showed up at my Monday Writers group.
At Monday Writers I offer writing prompts, set the time and we free write for seven minutes. And then we share (though not required). I was always utterly delighted when Nathalie shared her playful tri-lingual responses. It’s also fun to see how her mind works, she can make mental leaps from the physical world to the mythical and historical. Her breadth of knowledge is impressive. She’s written a series of blog posts we’ll be sharing throughout the month and I hope you find her as delightful as I do. We’ll start with the interview:
Nathalie writes:
I was born and raised in Verviers, Belgium, but as far as I can recall, I have always heard the call of otherness, and felt drawn to go and live in ”faraway lands” among which Andalusia (Spain) and New Mexico were on top of the list. I was trained as a translator/interpreter in French-English-Spanish in Brussels, then became a University Professor for more than twenty years, teaching at the Universities of Vitoria (Spanish Basque Country), Malaga, Granada (Andalusia, Spain) and New Mexico. Then I discovered that there was someone else willing to emerge from the old Nathalie, someone willing to reshape the translator / interpreter / professor into a more creative and artistic persona. I was willing and ready to dive into the uncertainties of this re-creation of myself. On my journey I found that creation in all its aspects has become a necessity. Of course writing occupies a very important place in this journey towards the new me. Liberated from the academic style, I am happy to dive into other literary endeavors such as blogging and a children’s book series called The Dreamtime Cats, whose heroes are my actual fur babies. It is an honor to offer this piece for the readers of Plume.
PLUME: When did you know you were a writer?
NB: Never and always…
PLUME: Where do you get your ideas?
NB: From my dreams, making art, in the shower, watching my cats play, stargazing, listening to the world around me, reading, and making dream boards like Jennifer taught me!
PLUME: How supportive is your local community for writers?
NB: Very supportive
PLUME: How do you define “success” for a writer? For yourself?
NB: Success for the writer that I am becoming is to be able to let the voice within venture out in the wild wide world of words to dare to be seen in one’s raw authenticity.
PLUME: Do you have a writing shero? A fellow woman writer from whom you get inspiration?
NB: My writing shero has a thousand faces, a thousand voices, a thousand quills and maybe as many languages, even though I only master three… Some of my latest discoveries are Persian author Saideh Ghods and Native-American author Paula Gunn Allen.
PLUME: What are you currently working on?
NB: Another guest writing endeavor about another real shero from History, whom I will interview so that the two of us can exchange views on her world and mine… She was considered a “trailblazer”, which rhymes with the original (German) pronunciation of my last name. Bléser was initially spelled Bläser; it once meant “blower” or “flute player”. The one I am writing about was sometimes called boat-pusher. So we can basically say that I am letting a flute melody played on the River of Time write the next “story in store” for me…
PLUME: Tell me 3 things that you keep on your desk
NB: Books, a Zuni rattle, pens and paper
You can find more about Nathalie on her website,
and check back next week for the first of Nathalie’s five-part series
Such an honor to be introduced by you, Jennifer, in wonderfully moving words. I am blessed to know you, and I am blessed to be able to share with other Plume lovers! My ‘she-ro’ is excited about the perspective of sharing her truth, soon 🙂
Nathalie, my sweet sister and co-lover of words. There is a story yet untold for the world. She rides on the wind and her spirit journeys to our time. She is known by many names, stirs much passion and heralds great love. Indeed, sister, she is Boat-pusher, Bird Woman, Windcatcher! Let the world know!!! Let the earth hear her voice!!
#warriorwomanspirit #believeinthemagic #seethepossibilities #letnothingstopyou