Where do you live?
In Sempronious in the town of Moravia, Cayuga County. I actually lived in the Syracuse area for 35 years and left in 1996 to move to South Florida. After hurricane Wilma hit, and to be near family, I moved back and settled in Cayuga County in November of 2006.
You lived in DeWitt for some time, too. What are some of your memories?
I lived in DeWitt for 12 years and survived elementary school and graduating Jamesville-DeWitt in 1971. Great memories of DeWitt included the big Kiwanis pancake breakfast in the fall; Scibilia’s old farm market for pumpkins each October; a drug store at the corner of where there is a gas station now (Erie and East Genesee), and a steak restaurant near where — and before — the P&C was built.
What is your career/occupation?
I am a freelance writer, comic, songwriter and business manager.
How long have you been in your career?
Since age 11 as a writer; since age 24 as a performer, 27 as a singer and songwriter, 29 as a comic, and as a business manager all along since age 25.
What are your responsibilities within your career?
I am responsible for coaching and teaching others to create, express and grow as I work.
What are the highlights of your career?
Presenting before thousands at the Onondaga Bi-Centennial Multi-Cultural celebration, as writer and emcee for the county’s history; singing live on public radio in Miami, Fla.; standing onstage at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and hearing lots and lots of laughter when I opened my mouth; watching a high school student perform a sketch I had written for her, which gave her the courage to graduate from a performing arts school in Florida; overcoming her struggle with anorexia; seeing the first copy of my poetry book “Naked Feathers” coming from Barnes and Noble On-line last year.
What are the challenges?
Finding the time to inspire and creatively rescue all that need to find their own voice of confidence.
What do you most enjoy?
Uphill walks amid beautiful hills, cascading streams and woods all around where I am now living, and returning to the 1875 farmhouse my husband and I are restoring. I have a nice place to write and create.
What are your hobbies?
Biking, baking with natural ingredients, and research — but not at the same time.
Do you have a favorite book? What is it and why is it your favorite?
There are so many, so I would say the last I read that I made it all the way through.
If you could have dinner with anyone — living or dead — who would it be and why?
It would be Lily Tomlin, a great comedic actress, whose guts and commentary inspired my move to the stage as a female comic.
What is something people wouldn’t know about you?
I prefer to be surprising and refreshing than remotely boring.
How do you deal with tense situations?
I am naturally cool. So if I feel the fire starting, my inclination is to turn the heat down from inside and the situation always turns around. You can never think or plan well when you are tied up in a knot!
What are your personal and/or professional goals?
To make an amazing difference in the lives of those around me, through coaching and workshops, to finish the short story I am writing, and the novel I am editing with the goal of two more publications in the next few years. Also, to see the success of my collaborative 11-song CD that will be released from south Florida next year, and in promotion for good causes.
Look for Bostick’s current and upcoming workshops by visiting her web site nakedfeathers.net. Upcoming workshops at DeWitt Town Hall can also be found in the DeWitt Times datebook on page 2.
