Mar
14
Not long ago, I interviewed Anita Bloom Ornoff, author of “Beyond Dancing.” Bloom Ornoff, was paralyzed at age 21, and confined to a wheelchair. She is an inspiration to anyone experiencing a bad day, a bad week, a bad anything.
Here’s what author, Bloom Ornoff had to say.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself, Anita. How long are you married, do you have children, pets?
I have been married three times, divorced once and re-married. So based on these events my name should be Anita Bloom Muller Freedman Ornoff Ornoff, but please just call me Nita.
I am 85 years old. I started writing my memoir, “Beyond Dancing” when I was 78 and published it 5 years later in 2003. I am so excited that you are willing to conduct this interview.
My family consists of my husband Harold (Hal) Ornoff, my two daughters Ellen and Naomi, plus their husbands, Josh and Rick; my five grandchildren: Meredeth, Toby, Joe, Isaac, and Jeff.
Coco is the cutest Yorkie you will ever see, and Topper is our parakeet that we bought as a male, but has turned out to be a loud mouth female.
Q: Is your family supportive of your writing?
My family is positively supportive and encourages me to continue on my second book, which will be my pre-army life, which I consider equally fascinating.
Q: When did you decide to become a writer?
My job in the ’70’s” was as a mental health counselor at a Maryland State Hospital. I wanted to improve my report writing capabilities so I enrolled at Notre Dame in Baltimore. After a semester, I was asked if there was something in particular that I would like to write about. I immediately thought that it would be such a relief to reveal my secret of how I became paralyzed at the age of 21. The nun who taught creative writing was contacted and encouraged me to enroll in her class. That started my effort to write my memoir “Beyond Dancing” and in 2003, I was successful in getting the book published.
Q: Is “Beyond Dancing” your first published book?
Yes, however my family is encouraging me to start on another book covering my pre-army life. I was a “devil” growing up.
Q: Are you satisfied with its publication?
Very satisfied.
Q: How long did it take for you to write “Beyond Dancing”?
As stated, I started my writing in the ’70’s and initially wrote an autobiography. When I tried to get that published, I was told it consisted of five books. That’s when I rewrote a part and eventually it became a portion of my life from 1943 to 1954 and I gave it the title “Beyond Dancing,” because I loved dancing so much.
Q: Is there a secret to your success and what is it?
The success in obtaining the goal in getting my true story published is not based on any secret but rather on a determination that this long kept secret of how I became paralyzed “must be told.”
Q: Are you working on anything at this time? If so, when will it be published?
As stated the bug for writing another book is germinating. The date for it being published is uncertain.
Q: What is your favorite writing tip?
Be true to yourself. Don’t use gimmicks. They do not work. If you believe in yourself don’t give up, be persistent. Don’t let small events cause you to deviate from your objective.
Q: Is there anything else you want people to know about you and “Beyond Dancing”?
I would like people to know that “Beyond Dancing” is about love, life and living and I hope that my life and the challenges that I have faced will inspire others to overcome adversity and go forward in life with a positive attitude to conquer any misfortune.
More importantly I hope people will enjoy reading my book.
I’m sure they will, Nita. Thank you.
You can learn more about Anita Bloom Ornoff by visiting her website http://beyonddancing.tripod.com/
Bloom can be emailed at hnonoff@att.net
You have permission to contact Linda Della Donna to do an interview for you at littleredmailbox@aol.com Learn more about Della Donna by reading her blog, http://www.griefcase.blogspot.com
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