The Witchy One | Community Engagement | Writers on Medium

Witchy Interviews Yana Bostongirl on Rubber People, Bug Soup (on Purpose), and Trees With Laps

As Witchy would say, “A very thinky conversation”

Note from Liberty:

Hello, and Happy Sunday!

As you may (or may not) know, our little blue witch friend is conducting interviews of our beloved Pub Family members. Today, Witchy shares her interview with Yana Bostongirl, who I’m sure it’s safe to say is one of Medium’s most prolific and influential writers. She is also a powerhouse in terms of inspiration, encouragement, compassion and wisdom.

Enjoy learning more about another fascinating member of our Pub Family!

As Witchy doesn’t have her own Medium account, she is using mine.

1 — What do you love about writing?

I would say the endless possibilities. I am like a kid in a candy store who is excited to try a little bit of everything. Some may say find what you’re good at and stick to it but since this field is constantly evolving, I feel it’s always good to keep learning new things and be flexible.

Witchy: I am with you on that flexibility thing, Yana! For centuries, I did things the same way all the time in the Transylvania Forest. It was a simple, peaceful life, a good one, and I was happy. Until all the bad things happened and I was forced to leave and start a new life.

It has been scary to come to a strange country where everything was new and different but I have learned a lot of fun things! I am still scared, but I keep going anyway. Mostly. 😳

2 — Would you prefer to be super stretchy like a rubber person, or super strong?

Haha, fun question! Sometimes life requires a combination of both. So, yes I would prefer to be flexible and mentally strong.

Witchy: Oh, boy, that’s a great answer! You are so right. I know you have been through a lot and have needed to be both. I know your brain must be very stretchy and rubbery because you speak about 9,000 languages and some of them are scary hard!

You are so smart! I have had enough trouble learning English. It is so dumb.

3 — Would you enjoy being a tree? If so, talk about your life.

For me, a tree signifies beauty, strength, and nature’s ability to heal. So, I would prefer to sit in the lap of a tree in order to restore, reconnect and recharge.

Witchy: Trees have laps? Hmm. I have never seen a tree sitting down. You are so smart! 🤓 You know so many things.

Yes, they are very good at healing. They have powerful energy flooding into them from the earth. I love trees.

If I were a tree, I would be beside a lake or an ocean so I could listen to the waves. I would not want to be by a river because, um, well, the sound of rushing water makes me have to, uh, well, you know, go to the loo. I do not know how trees go to the loo. They are stuck in the ground with roots. I would not want to live for hundreds of years needing to go to the loo and not being able to get there! 😵‍💫

4 — What is the most dreadful name you can think of for a restaurant?

Burgatory, for sure. I mean, who names a burger joint that?

Witchy: Apparently, not you!

I asked Liberty why that would be a bad name. When she explained, I am sorry to tell you it made me laugh! I hope you do not mind. I thought it was perfect. 🙄

5 — What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten for breakfast?

I’m not adventurous with food unless you count that I was once served bug soup, a delicacy I believe when I used to live in Nigeria. I didn’t eat it though.

Witchy: 🐛🪲🐜🥣 Like the other witches in the Transylvania Forest, I used to eat all kinds of insects, rodents, lizards and other things people do not normally eat. And I used them in my spells, too, rat brains, dragon toes, bat wings and that sort of thing. But then I had a secret trauma that forced me to become vegan. I could not eat them anymore or use them in spells and…well…I think you know how that turned out. 💣💥🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

6 — If you could cast a spell (and not have it go wonky like mine do), what would it be?

The spell would put a stop to school shootings.

Witchy: 😭😭😭 That should never have even become a thing. They are so terrible! They make me want to hide under the bed and never come out! 💨 🛌🏼 👀

7 — Since women think their own facial hair is not attractive, why do they not shave off their eyebrows?

Haha. Good question!

Witchy: 🤔

8 — How do you feel about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

Sorry, too bland for me. I’m someone who loves a little bit of spice otherwise it’s boring 😉

Witchy: I was watching a cooking show (still hoping to learn how to do it without needing the Fire Department) and they said the Carolina Reaper is the hottest chili in the world. Maybe a few of those would liven up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for you? 🥪🌶️🌶️🌶️🔥🥵🧯

9 — If you could have a treehouse, how would you get into it and what would it look like inside?

It would be my sanctuary with lots of books and my imagination for company.

Witchy: Ooo, that sounds like fun! Would it have a rope ladder? Or a secret entryway? Or a magic elevator that only appears when you need it? Oh, boy, that would be exciting! I wonder where it would go when you do not need it. I think it would be fun to be invisible. Or to be invisible when I feel like it. A secret entryway would be fun, too! And secret! I love secrets like that! I keep hoping I will find a secret passage in my little cottage in the woods but so far, I haven’t. But if I did, I could be like Nancy Drew and —

Liberty: Witchy!

Witchy: (Sigh) Yes. I know. 🙄 “Breathe!”

Liberty: 🤦🏻‍♀️

10 — Who’s your favourite Disney character, and why?

Simba for sure! I love, love The Lion King, the story, the characters, and most of all the song “Hakuna Matata!” And who wouldn’t want cool friends like Pumbaa and Timon?

Witchy: Oh, boy! I love Simba! And Pumbaa. And Timon!! Especially Timon! I would love to have them as friends!

I would love to have Tigger as my friend. He is always so happy and funny! And he is especially good at bouncing. I wish I could bounce like he does!

11 — What’s the greatest thing you hope to achieve in your life?

There was a time I set goals for myself and worked myself to the bone trying to achieve them. Though I still have goals I am taking a more mindful approach to getting there. Hopefully, for me, learning and growing never stop.

Witchy: I think that is a wonderful way to look at goals and how to reach them. It is much better than “working yourself to the bone.” Ouch! That does not sound like it is good in any way at all.

From reading much of what you have written on Medium, it is obvious that you are always learning and growing. And you are also helping many other people learn and grow, too. Those are beautiful gifts to share, and you are always so kind, too. That is one of my favourite things about you.

Thank you for being my guest this week, Yana. It was very much fun to learn more about you and I know you will go on to do even more great things in the world for lots of people. 💜

Take a look below for some fun ways to connect with Yana!

Next week’s guest: Elvie Lins!

You can connect with Yana here:

Twitter, Quora, NewsBreak, LinkedIn, and Substack

And you can learn more about her and read her stories and articles here:

See more of Witchy’s fun interviews here:

Tagging our beloved Pub Family so you can get to know another of our members!

Dr Andrea Polzer Kris Bedenian Rodney Brazier Patti Murray Voncannon Carrie Kolar Croix Sather Deb Fiore Dina Alexander DL Nemeril Donnette Anglin Loren Lieberthal Jimmy Misner Jr. Judy Millar Julie Gaeta Pene Hodge Karen Schwartz James Knight Dr. Preeti Singh Radhika Iyer Sam Branstner Sharon Sayler, Author Umme Salma Tamil T Mann Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles Lion~ Wendy S. Bradfield Yana Bostongirl Jo An Fox-Wright Maddox Suma Narayan Penny Walsh Shameem Anwar Irene Fassler Sandy Peckinpah Trista Signe Ainsworth Slow train A.H. Mehr Ashley Nicole B.R. Shenoy Carolyn Hastings Christina Christine Vann, MSc. Ellie Jacobson Isabel Young Kaz Rochford Nia Simone McLeod Nicole Hilbig Patricia Wright Pam Winter Jodian Marie Thomas, MS, Bsc, Asc L Burton Danielle Hestand Sahil Patel Malky McEwan Barbara Cook Tyra Jaide Eko BP Drashti Shroff Evergreen Eden Bernie Pullen Rhea Anglesey CARMEN F MICSA Robin Oakman Mary Vraa Libby Shively McAvoy Kristina God Niall Leah Debbra Lupien, Voice of the Akashic Records Toya Qualls-Barnette Vashni Stories Dawn :) Divya Goswami BichoDoMato Evon Carole Olsen Jennifer Dunne Kylie van Gelder Neha Sonney, Author Christina Sponias Ian Hanson JF Danskin Patrick OConnell Mary V Elvie Lins❤️ Carmellita Gauri Sirur Kristie Leong M.D. IJaveria Ansari Asim Nori Dipo Adebayo Andreia Damian Jenine Bsharah Baines Jodi Marie Mahein Kazi Mario López-Goicoechea Raine Lore Vishal Mehta Aarti Tailor A Rustic Mind (Manali Desai) Mona S Gable Sarah Firmie Ouangre Anne Emerick Andra Forbes Anaya Nosso Kasturi Patra Mary B Mel Janecka Rebecca Romanelli Life not abrupt (L.n.a.) Rebecka Rose