Interview With Poet Michelle Goñi, MD

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?
I have always had a desire to write a book. I’ve enjoyed writing since I was very young, especially prose and poetry. I think it was a way to escape from my rigid upbringing and “planned out,” methodical life I was living. Writing prose poetry was liberating, rhythmic, and came easy to me; a true juxtaposition to what I was feeling in my home growing up. My mother was a big source of inspiration to finally take the step forward to start writing this book. I was inspired by her and boy my own personal revelations with vulnerability and authenticity.
 
2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?
Roses and Thorns is about a beautiful and the messy life.  It is a book of acceptance, transformation, realization, and vulnerability.  It is a memoir-esque compilation of life stories that gives the reader permission to fear, fail, and feel pain. But it also embraces growth, evolution, and being a multi-hyphenate.  My book is intended for anyone who has battled limiting beliefs and perfectionism, who has expected one thing out of life but has had to pivot or completely change direction, and for people who are stuck on their insecurities. My book will evoke emotion, not only to express feelings but also to give the reader permission to feel.
 
3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?
I hope to make my readers feel less isolated, more loved, and a part of a perfectly imperfect community. As Maya Angelou has stated, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” By sharing my stories, I hope to inspire honest conversations and form genuine relationships.  I also want to normalize vulnerability and shed light on authenticity as an antidote for shame.
 
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?
 Life is much like a rose and its thorns. Each part serves a unique and opposing purpose, yet both grow together as one. Like roses, life often shows up with thorns. But no matter how many thorns the rose has, its beauty prevails over the pain. I am really proud of the cover. Each rose shows a different phase of growth from bud to a blossoming flower. It symbolizes the different phases of transformation. On a more personal note, my mother’s name was Rosa (rose in Spanish) so the title carries an even more special meaning to me.
 
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!
Writing a book can be overwhelming and challenging. What helped me most was not defining set limits or daily goals. Yes, there will be many deadlines but the process of writing has to flow naturally. Sometimes it's just easier to write about what you’re feeling that day, even if it’s out of order, because the order can be adjusted later. If you want to write the ending of the book first, that’s ok. When I started from my “memoir-esque” compilation, I thought I’d write exactly in chronological order and I actually found this quite challenging. I felt “stuck.” When I changed my mindset and just wrote about a feeling I had that day or an experience that I remembered, I found that it flowed so much easier for me. Structure is good and necessary but it doesn’t have to be so limiting that it causes the writer any additional stress.
 
6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
I see a trend for honest conversations. We are living in a world where we are talking more openly about mental health, for example, and are recognizing and being more honest about our lives and our challenges. We are more comfortable sharing our stories and being more vulnerable about our journeys. Social media can be negative with false appearances and “fake news” but it can also make us more aware of other people's real struggles, making us feel less isolated.  I still think people love to read books and so I hope that the publishing industry will continue to print paper copies!
 
7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?
Most of the poems in my book are based on personal experiences, hence the subtitle, “a memoir-esque compilation of a beautiful and messy life.”  From starting the book with the first chapter titled “roots,” to suffering grief and loneliness after the death of my father, to pushing forward into medical school, battling fear and emotional abuse, then rebuilding with transformations, love, motherhood, friendships and realizations. It’s my journey from childhood to womanhood!
 
8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?
My writing style is prose poetry. My words are simple, honest, raw but also loving, empowering, and compassionate. This writing style allows me to share universal experiences which allows the reader to more easily self-reflect, introspect, and deeply feel emotions. In the end, the reader becomes more connected to me and sees me as a real person. I believe that I have a similar writing style to author, Rupi Kaur.
 
9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?
I was able to confront shame that I felt about perceived failures. I also had to revisit my past and some of that was very difficult. However, doing this helped me process past emotional trauma and better understand myself which led to healing in the present. This healing was an unexpected but very welcomed gift that I received from writing this book.
 
10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?
People should buy or read my book because they want to feel less alone. Loneliness can be overwhelming and many people suffer because they don't sharing their problems or struggles with others in fear of rejection or judgment. Reading my book will allow them to feel part of a community which embraces both a messy and beautiful life.  Normalizing vulnerability and sharing our stories, emotions, and thoughts is the spark to loving our life and finding relatable connections.

 

Author Bio:  Michelle Goñi, MD uses the written word as a powerful voice for her soul. She was raised by an immigrant, Renaissance-like, often stoic father who labeled her creativity as distracting. His rigid parenting and control led Michelle to have a limited and perfectionist mindset. While this helped keep her focused on becoming a medical doctor, it took years to learn to love herself as she was and fully appreciate her journey. We learn about Dr. Goñi’s life in Roses and Thorns, her debut book of prose poetry, where she shares personal yet relatable truths, struggles, and realizations. This unique presentation invites the reader to embrace vulnerability and self-love. Michelle’s words evoke deep emotion within us, empathy for one another, and necessary self-acceptance. Get social with Dr. Goñi on IG | FaceBook | Twitter | Linkedin

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