Interview: Writer & Artist Kay Johnson-Gentile

Kay Johnson-Gentile is a multi-talented and very busy artist.

MCL: You love music and words. How would you describe your writing style?

KJG:I think I am really good at telling a story. And my best stories always have an inspirational twist. If I can inspire my readers I feel wonderful. I think the world needs a lot more inspiration - as that is what keep us all going, especially through the rough times.

MCL: Please talk about your book. Where was it inspired from?

KJG:Mark, this book is the story about my experience with breast cancer back in 1975. Treatment back then was so, so different than treatment now. For example, I went into surgery believing I was having a benign tumor removed.

During the surgery they discovered a malignant tumor under the benign one. They consulted my family who gave the okay to perform a radical mastectomy. The doctors felt it was best to not wake me and get my consent. However, you can imagine my horror when I woke up and was told what had happened.

Because of all this, you can understand why I went into severe depression. I was only 31 years old.

My story gets inspirational as I describe how music began to pull me out of depression - especially the music of then Superstar, John Denver.

MCL: Was the writing process easy or tough?

KJG:Writing this story was not that challenging. I think the reason is this was a story of mine that just had to be told. It was like I could not rest until it was written - until it was a book.

MCL: What motivates you to keep writing?

KJG: I want to bring inspiration through my writing to others. That is the bottom line.

MCL: Ever suffer from "writer's block"?

KJG: Interesting question, Mark, as I am experiencing a bit of that right now. I do hope it will pass soon.

MCL: What is music therapy?

KJG: According to the American Music Therapy Association:

"Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals."

I have a great vignette in my book that shows music therapy in action. (See Chapter 12 of my book and story of five-year-old Melissa.)

MCL: What do you think there is about music and books that is therapy?

KJG: Because music and the creative arts in general connect to us via our emotions, music can help us emotionally. It can bring us out of depression, for example.

My story of young Melissa demonstrates that (See Chapt. 12 in my book).

MCL: How is Jonathan Livingston Seagull involved with this?

KJG: I listened to this inspired music by Neil Diamond and Lee Holdridge as I was creating the Pilot Project Music Therapy Program for Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Daily I would put on the music to Jonathan Livingston Seagull, close my eyes, and simply listen - feel -- BE with the sounds and vibrations from this score. The meditative state created was a beautiful place. I LOVED going there. It was a place where wisdom and creativity reigned.

MCL: You know Lee Holdridge. I'm impressed. A few a words about what a master he is.

KJG: Through the years I have been a big fan of Lee's. Whether I was listening to his numerous movie scores or his collaboration with both Neil Diamond and John Denver, I have always felt Lee brings a gentle beauty - a spirituality to everything he writes.

I connected with Lee about two years ago because of a story I wrote about John Denver. Lee liked the story and we became Facebook friends. Lee was a good friend of John's.

Check out my blog on the score to Jonathan Livingston Seagull. SEE MUSIC AS THERAPY: REFLECTIONS ON JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL.) http://www.drkayjg.com/blog/144-the-movie-

MCL: Finally ... Promote yourself. What is coming up for you in 2016-2017?

KJG: I will, for sure, continue my website and blog - www.drkayjg.

I also want to introduce children to classical composers via YouTube videos. These clips would include short informational pieces and music. Hopefully, this will lead to a future book for children.

Finally, I want to promote my book. I am doing a book signing at the Amherst Barnes and Noble (Niagara Falls Blvd.) on October 8 at 2PM. I hope to do more signings in the future.

For more information on Kay Johnson-Gentile:

Kay Johnson-Gentile will doing a book signing for local authors at the Amherst Barnes and Noble (Niagara Falls Blvd.) on October 8 at 2PM.

https://www.amazon.com/Kay-Johnson-Gentile/e/B01C6B1WG6