Normand R. Bernier received his doctoral degree
from Teachers College Columbia University and is currently an
emeritus professor at Kent State 
University.
He co-authored Beyond Beliefs: The Ideological Foundations of
American Education and is currently writing a sequel to Mindlings:Encounter
within Inner Space. He is a resident of Fairlawn, Ohio.
Visit Normand at http://www.mindlings.com
.
PageOneLit.com: Please tell us a little
about your novel, "Mindlings: Encounters Within Inner Space."
What inspired you to write it?
Normand R. Bernier: The book is a fantasy
about a psychologist, John Robis, who becomes a subject in a
secretive sensory-input experiment. He enters a portal more mysterious
than a black hole. Crossing the chasm between matter and spirit,
he awakens within his unconscious mind and discovers that it
is inhabited by mindlings, energy beings much like ourselves
who live within us. His odyssey propels him into a strange medieval
world, where the mindlings who comprise his identity confront
terrifying challenges. In a struggle between love and power,
John and his inner allies confront a fate neither he nor they
could have imagined. His final discovery, which brings him face
to face with death itself, reveals the illusory nature of matter,
time and death. The idea of the book is rooted to my academic
work dealing with the relationship between belief systems and
human development.
PageOneLit.com: How have your previous academic
writings influenced the development of your novel?
Normand R. Bernier: My previous academic
writings focused on the variety of belief systems (ideologies),
which impact human development and learning. Focusing on such
"isms" as 
Romanticism, Puritanism, and
Scientism, I analyzed their historical roots in American society
and illustrated how they impact on life today. My students frequently
goaded me to explore how conflicting beliefs were dealt with
within a single person. They often provided vivid examples of
how they experienced conflicting beliefs within their own lives.
Thus, I began to see the mind as a society of beings—mindlings—who
in my model inhabit a medieval world. Each mindling became a
microcosm of a particular belief system. For example the troubadour
became the voice of Romanticism and the Minister of Defense provided
a voice for the ideology of Puritanism. This book differs from
other fantasy novels and science fiction in that it doesn’t
focus on such creatures as witches, goblins or extraterrestrials
but rather with the inner voices that humans experience as they
try to understand themselves.
PageOneLit.com: In what ways does the process
of writing academic books and articles differ from writing a
novel?
Normand R. Bernier: The process of moving
from writing academic books and articles to writing a novel was
very difficult. It required a great deal of un-learning. It also
forced me through a process of introspection that I had not confronted
in my other writings. The process of writing a novel required
an inner journey that oftentimes revealed "truths’
about myself that had been comfortably hidden from me for sometime.
It proved to be a very rewarding journey.
PageOneLit.com: Sounds like this novel has
several implications both for helping the reader to understand
the workings of the mind, and the process of gaining self-knowledge.
Describe how your view of the self differs from prevailing paradigms.
Normand R. Bernier: My view of the mind
is drawn from the beliefs systems that emerged as part of the
New Age movement. It views the mind as distinct from the brain
and regulated by quantum realities. It also emphasizes the centrality
of the evolution of the human soul. The mind as a society of
mindlings provides a rich avenue for exploring a variety of phenomena
that are often dismissed. Thus the book looks at such realities
as channeling, reincarnation, poltergeists, out of body experiences,
and explores mental illness through the lens of disruptions in
the mindling world within an individual. The mind as a society
of mindlings allows a more playful and creative way of viewing
human relations. The novel presents an optimistic New Age message
about human powers and potential.
PageOneLit.com: Please talk about your main
character, Professor John Robis. Was he based on anyone you know
or created entirely from imagination?
Normand R. Bernier: John Robis is a composite
of many professor colleagues I have known as a professor at the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Kent State University.
In many respects he reflects the inquisitive and brilliant doctoral
advisor that guided me through my doctorate at Teachers College
Columbia University.
PageOneLit.com: What real life experiences
(if any) are the struggles he goes through based on?
Normand R. Bernier: His struggles reflect
the human experience of the "chasm between matter and spirit" which is
the fissure that exists between the outer world and one’s
inner life. The novel is a journey of self-exploration resulting
from John’s ability to leave the outer world and explore
his inner self by entering his mindland by becoming a mindling.
It reflected my own search for greater understanding of myself
as well as the significant others that I love. The belief that
an individual’s identity is composed of a singular self
is inaccurate. We are complex beings who are composed of many
selves which reveal themselves in the roles we play and in the
conflicts we encounter. Mindlings is the odyssey of an individual's
search within himself to discover his own life’s purpose.
PageOneLit.com: How do you go about developing
your characters and plots?
Normand R. Bernier: This fantasy/novel began
with a very clear image of the mindling characters that had been
developed over several years. The characters reflect the variety
of ideologies and belief systems that were the focus of many
of my previous academic writings. The plots flowed naturally
by reflecting upon the nature of the characters and imagining
the way they would respond to each other.
PageOneLit.com: What do you hope readers
walk away with after reading "Mindlings?"
Normand R. Bernier: First and foremost I
want the reader to be intellectually challenged while enjoying
a journey into the unknown. I hope the reader relates the exploration
to his or her own inner journeys. If the book helps in a small
way to assist someone in the process of ‘Knowing Thy Self’
or more accurately, ‘Knowing Thy Selves’, I would be
extremely pleased.
PageOneLit.com: Your cover art for "Mindlings"
is very interesting. Talk about what is on the cover and its
significance.
Normand R. Bernier: The cover illustration
was done by Allen Etter and reveals the process in which John
Robis, the main character, is pulled out of the outer world and
into the inner world of his own mind where mindlings dwell.
PageOneLit.com: "Mindlings: Encounters
Within Inner Space" is a thought-provoking story and would
make a wonderful film. If you could choose, what actors would
play the lead roles?
Normand R. Bernier: Writing the book was
a journey into imagery. Unlike academic works that I’ve written, this book
flowed from images to images. I could see the characters and
events with my mind’s eye. I’m exploring ways to turn
it into a script. Indeed I’ve thought a great deal about
the actors who would play the major roles. I have given this
much thought. Here are my suggestions: John Robis—David
Duchovny, Philias—Jason Behr, Lady Anna—Annette Benning,
Sir William—Kevin Bacon, Master Weaver Isaac—Peter
Falk, Lady Rosalie—Isabella Rossellini, Dr. Evelyn Thayer—Sigourney
Weaver, The Fool—Danny Devito, Sir Clarence Dudley—John
Lithgow, Sister Agatha—Kathy Bates, Sir Jeremiah Huff—Morgan
Freeman, Archbishop Claude—Ron Perlman, Troubadour—Johnny
Depp, Seer Delphine—Cloris Leachman.
PageOneLit.com: What drew you to the Science
Fiction/Fantasy book field?
Normand R. Bernier: Science Fiction/Fantasy
in many ways seemed to be an extension of historical works focusing
on different cultures. Moving from the study of past cultures
to imagined cultures was not a great leap. Good history and good
Science Fiction/Fantasy have many similar qualities. I especially
enjoy questions that raise philosophical and existential issues.
The interplay between the individual and humankinds struggle
for self-understanding through confrontations with the unknown
is beguiling. Conflicts that result from deep-seated ethical
differences and the struggle for survival can be especially riveting.
PageOneLit.com: Who and/or what have been
your biggest influences with regard to your writing and why?
Normand R. Bernier: I received a great deal
of encouragement to improve my writing skills from my Jesuit
teachers at Boston College. My doctoral advisor, Professor Margaret
Lindsey, at Columbia University encouraged me to extend the boundaries
of my imagination
PageOneLit.com: What did you like to read
when you were a young boy?
Normand R. Bernier: I was the youngest member
of a very interactive extended family. Story telling was a popular
family pastime. My grandmother would weave wonderful tales of
the struggle between good and evil in a small French Canadian
village where she was born. French was spoken in my home and
a great deal of respect was given to the traditions passed on
by ancestors. It was the beginning of a love affair with history
and I spent much of my youth and later academic life devouring
works by historians. I enjoyed reading books about ancient Egypt,
Greece, and Rome and pre-nationalism European societies. I particularly
enjoyed reading historical works focusing upon the medieval world
in Europe. It provides a framework for analyzing the struggle
between oppressive and corrupt institutional forces and the courage
of individuals who are determined to define their own beliefs
and behave according to their own consciences. I also developed
an interest in Science Fiction. I particularly liked the works
of C. S. Lewis. He was both a scholar of medieval and renaissance
literature and a science fiction writer who focused on sociological
and cultural issues.
PageOneLit.com: Who are your favorite authors,
and why do they inspire you?
Normand R. Bernier: My favorite author is
C. S. Lewis. I consider his Space Trilogy to be the finest example
of thought-provoking, imaginative, and spiritually enriching
works of the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre. I also enjoy the
works of Arthur Clarke and Isaac Asimov. I am also inspired by
the recent works of lesser-known, new-age authors who explore
hidden dimensions of reality as well as the edges of human imagination
PageOneLit.com: What is your advice to an
aspiring novelist?
Normand R. Bernier: Read novelists they
enjoy, base their writing on their own experiences whether they
took place in their outer world, or within their own mind, and
develop patience and a willingness to continuously revise their
story as it emerges.
PageOneLit.com: When you're not working,
what are your favorite ways to relax?
Normand R. Bernier: My favorite hobbies
are reading and traveling. I enjoy reading works by historians.
I’m especially fond of scholarly works focusing on medieval
history. My writing reflects this interest in medieval history
since the inner mindland I’ve created is structured in a
way reminiscent of the feudal ages. I also enjoy trying to understand
emerging theories developed in quantum physics.
Of course I enjoy reading science fiction that
probes identity crises that result from ethical dilemmas. I enjoy
traveling in university towns and try to absorb the searching
spirit that pervades their cultural climate.
PageOneLit.com: Do you have any final thoughts
to share with us?
Normand R. Bernier: Writing is a wonderful
avenue for introspection. It provides an avenue for self-understanding.
The process can be tedious, but is always enjoyable. I am currently
working on the sequel to Mindlings: Encounters within Inner Space,
and in some strange ways, the characters appear to be directing
me to develop plots that seem to enhance their individual identities.
Further information about the book and the characters
can be found on my web site at: http://www.mindlings.com
