5 Questions With: Karen Pierce Gonzalez

Posted March 23, 2009, 10:58 am in Books

She's a big-time media guru who helps get her clients in the news. But what really drives this go-getter is a passion for good storytelling, and helping people get their own journeys to the masses. Karen Pierce Gonzalez earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Creative Writing and Anthropological Linguistics/Folklore, and has been facilitating writing classes and workshops for more than 15 years. Gonzalez is an award-winning fiction and nonfiction writer. Her writing credits include nomination for the Pushcart Prize (2006) and awards from Farmhouse Magazine (2006), National League of American Pen Women, California Writers Association, and others.

And, she's a public relations expert who has (like GB!) embraced all forms of social media -- she's on Twitter, and you can follow her here! A special thanks to Natalie Tucker Miller who introduced us to Karen Pierce Gonzalez, and be sure to check out our archive of 5 Questions With articles to learn about other ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

1. How are you Growing Bolder? Have you had to overcome challenges to get where you are today?

I am Growing Bolder by the week. As I continue to make choices that reflect my values and passions, I gain freedoms that allow me to move beyond what others may expect of me. I have found that the key to my success/well-being is in being as bright and creative as I truly am; not dumbing down or downsizing my worth or what I can do for the comfort of others.
Yes, I have overcome many challenges, beginning with childhood abuse and neglect. Moving ahead in life, often on my own, I have learned a great deal about myself professionally and personally. Energetic, self-motivated, and resilent, I chartered my own entrepreneurial course about a decade ago and haven’t looked back since then. Why would I? The view up ahead remains magnificent.

2. What makes you happy? Is it a person, a task, a piece of art ... ?

Time with my family, a good cup of French press coffee, a beautiful sunset, a well written fiction novel, and a bicycle ride in the country all make me happy. In short, there are many things that make me happy. I become especially happy (and satisfied) when I write a short story or original folktale and when I succeed at developing win-win situations between clients and various media outlets, and between writers and their stories.

3. Who are the people that you look up to -- your role models or heroes?

Most, if not all, of the people on my hero list have lived enough life to combine natural skills and passionate interests in a way that sheds light for the rest of us on our own humanity. They include Mythologist/writer Joseph Campbell, Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron, Authors Joyce Carol Oates and John Steinbeck, Mother Teresa, and News Journalist Chistian Amanpour. What I would give to be able to make contributions to the greater world that are in keeping with the caliber these people have achieved.

4. What makes you passionate about your work?

Wish I knew the secret to that. I am passionate about work that keeps giving and giving and giving. There is an undeniable life force that rises up and takes over when personal gain is not at the core of my actions. It is at these times that creativity and joy are awakened and the work ceases to be work. Bringing media attention to the good work of others or to family folk heroes (mine and others) are perfect examples of that.

5. If you could give the 20-something version of yourself any advice, what would it be?

I would suggest huge doses of patience and faith because all of the seemingly disparate threads of one’s life do come together into the weave of a tapestry much more beautiful (and powerful) than imagined.

Be sure to check out our archive of 5 Questions With articles to learn about other ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

Want to lean more about Karen Pierce Gonzalez? Check out these Web sites:

Since 2000, Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations has provided public relations services for businesses, non-profits, art and culture organizations, and individual professionals locally, regionally, and nationally. Founder and president Karen Pierce Gonzalez has twenty-five years experience in the media having worked as a journalist for such media as the San Francisco Chronicle, Marin Independent Journal, and Point Reyes Light, newspapers as well a numerous local and national magazines, including North Bay Biz and Australian Trade Community Journal. She knows what makes the news and what does not. She lives in Northern California with her husband and daughter.

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