Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bonnie Seymour. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bonnie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am very happy being the owner of Exclusion Literary Studios, and also being a novelist. I’m also a realist, lol. I have a full career as a Health care translator. I have clients who are mostly overseas and my career is very demanding. I was raised to work hard until you can work smart. I’m finally at a point where I see revenue from my many creative ventures, however I dont plan on retiring anytime soon. I’ll be working probably for the next ten years. I like having benefits like healhcare and 401k being an entrepreneur it’s hard to find affordable excellent health coverage. Working full time does not take away from my creative ventures, it absolutely enhances them. I’m able to monetize my ventures when ready. Artist will tell you the hardest part about any project is finding funding to get it going. Working a career, I’m able to schedule when I want to book a studio, pay my actors or guest, and control my own vision. It makes me feel like I dont have to ask anyone if I can. When I’m ready, and I feel the timing is right I execute. Now once I become a billionaire I hope I think differently. But as for now I’m definitely working both creatively and professionally.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Bonnie Bebe. I’m a Novelist, project manager and I own the production company Exclusion Literary Studios. Since I can remember I have always been a writer. My brother recalls me locking up in my bedroom at the age of 5 writing stories. I used to tell my late Aunt Debra and her friend Niece daily soap opera’s, my version of All my Children when I was 5 years old. I still recall how intrigued they were as I told them updates, it put this fire in me. I loved telling stories, having control over the reactions of my audience made me feel good. My mom gave me first chapter novel when I was 7 years old. I still remember it was about one of the members of the popular group the Supremes. She adopted a boy and took him on the road with her. The boy is the author of the book and he told all the juicy secrets about Diana Ross and how she treated the Supremes. I remember how I believed the author because he wrote this book, so it had to be true. But I also loved how free he was able to speak, saying words that made me have to look over my shoulder to see if my mom was coming. I enjoyed reading, and the writing developed with life. I’ve written several novels that can be found on Amazon.com. The Elephant in the Room was my first novel, about a couple going through the trials and tribulations of marriage. Spoiler- they work it out, lol. My new book, soon to be released blood inheritance is a totally different novel, this is horror and thriller, ghost story and mystery. I’m excited for my readers to read this one because it’s a difference style and it streched me creatively. My company Exclusion Literary Studio is all about production. We’ve just launched a podcast on youtube called Chicago 365. It’s staring host myself and Tracie Person. We talk all things Chicago the good, the bad and the great. We invite celebrity guest, community leaders, and thriving non profits to chat with us about different social issues effecting Chicagoens today. Exclusion Literary has several projects set to preimiere in 2023. We’re so excited!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

There is absolutely a goal and mission driving my creative journey and it’s my children. I have two boys Elijah and Tarique Jr and every day I strive to make this world a better place for them. I see the struggle in society, it feels like it’s sometimes a war on our children. They have exposure to so much violence, crime, and they are over sexualized at young ages like 5 years old. I see the children as being the ones who will take over the world when I’m long gone so we have to guide them to resources and thought processes that spark critical thinking. My sons both want to have careers in entertainment so I’m setting the stage for them. On their end their getting good grades in school and active in the community. It’s our personal deal. They move possitively and do what’s need to be done and I’ll create a path for them to grow and go. It’s working. My son Elijah recently built a desk top computer from scratch, and Tarique Jr just wrote his first novel. Both my boys are members of Brilliant Brown Boys book club. We have a strong community which is important for children to grow and develop. My husband takes the boys to Stem workshops sponsered by Microsoft. We also have them involved in Saturday Bible study were I’m the children’s bible study teacher. These are the reasons why I do what I do, and how I do it. Structured and with purpose. It makes everyday great.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is stay loyal to the one’s you came in with. I had to learn this lesson recently and it was a hard lesson, reason being is because sometimes you think because you know people for a certain period of time you owe them your loyalty. But that’s not always the case, sometimes you’ve just known people for a long time. When loyalty begins to cost you your self respect it’s time to let it go, regardless of the relationship. I had to really step back from the situation and ask myself “am I happy when I go around these people” and my answer was no. I had to respect myself, and do what’s best for me. That was walking away without explanation. I’m at a point in life where I try to be fair in all situations. Sometime speaking about things that are true or right may seem like the fair thing to do to get your point across but it’s pointless when the other party isn’t listening. Disrespect in any form doesn’t deserve communication in my opinion. Since I’ve unlearned this lesson life has been better less complicated. So when dealing with functional adults and you’re disrespected there’s no reason for communication resolution. I feel as a black women I’m often put in situations where I have to become defensive in order to prove my point. Especially in entertainment. I don’t use my body for advancement, I use my brain. Therefore the lesson unlearned was valuable to me. I’m loyal to who is loyal to me. And I don’t have to compromise that for anyone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: bonniebebeauthor
• Facebook: Bonnie Bebe
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/oh_AckIc_78
• Other: Tik Tok bonniebebenovelist Facebook pages Bonnie Bebe LLC Bonnie Bebe

Image Credits
Exclusion Literary Studio