Wilson, Diane 1948-

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WILSON, Diane 1948-

PERSONAL: Born February 26, 1948, in Irvington, NJ; daughter of Willard H. (a butcher) and Kathleen M. (a homemaker; maiden name, Dilk) Harden; married George Wilson (a juvenile probation officer), April 17, 1971 (divorced April 30, 2002); children: Robert M., Stephanie C. Ethnicity: "German ancestry." Hobbies and other interests: Gardening, world travel, yodeling, interior decorating.

ADDRESSES: Home—California. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Prometheus Books, 59 John Glenn Dr., Amherst, NY 14228-2197. E-mail—readermail@dianewilson. net.

CAREER: Hear My Hands, Morgan Hill, CA, sign-language interpreter for the deaf, 1978—. Signing Sea Tours, interpreter for the deaf and certified cruise counselor, 1989-94.

MEMBER: Authors Guild, Authors League of America.

WRITINGS:

Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness: Escape from the Watchtower Society (memoir), Prometheus Books (Amherst, NY), 2002.

Contributor to periodicals, including Free Minds Journal.

SIDELIGHTS: Diane Wilson told CA: "My primary motivation for writing Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness: Escape from the Watchtower Society was twofold: as a tool for my own healing and recovery from the twenty-five years I spent as an active member of the cult-like religious group and to help others. While some say that experience is a good teacher, I think it is not always the best one. Learning from the experiences of others can be important to avoid repeating the mistakes of others.

"After publishing an article, 'Playing with Fire: The Watchtower View of Rape,' in the Free Minds Journal, I was invited by Jerry Bergman, America's leading expert on the psychology of Jehovah's Witnesses, to write a chapter for a book he was composing. I agreed; however, I kept asking for extensions of the deadline, as I was unwittingly using this project as a tool for my own healing. I had immersed myself with studying books about adults abused as children, spiritual abuse, mind control, toxic faith, and cults. As I strove to understand my Watchtower experience, I also entered into therapy with a caring psychologist.

"A book I read about recovery from cult-like groups suggested one approach to the healing process would be to figure out: exactly how the group lured me in, what made me vulnerable to their recruiting techniques, how the seduction into the group proceeded, what was the 'hook' they used to get me involved, how this religion abused me, what kept me in the group despite this mistreatment, why I couldn't leave, and what led to my awakening to reclaim my ability to listen to my 'voice within.' After much deep thought and soul-searching about my experiences, coupled with the increased understanding of my own psychology that my therapy had provided and the information I gleaned from my studies, I was finally able to answer these questions, and these formed the basis for my writing. When I finally submitted my 'chapter' to Dr. Bergman, he replied, 'This is no chapter—this is a book that needs to be published under its own cover.'

"Through my book, I hope to help people understand how extremely difficult leaving a legalistic, controlling religion can be, even when a person desperately wants to leave. I hope to create an awareness of how groups, in particular the Watchtower Society, use manipulative techniques to control vulnerable people and the devastating emotional toll that takes on people's lives.

"When I sit down to write, if the thoughts do not flow freely I switch to some other activity. I never sit and force myself to write, nor do I spend a set amount of time writing every day. Before I actually start composing my thoughts on a topic, I let the subject matter float around in my mind for several days or even weeks. My subconscious works on it while I do other activities. I carry a small notebook with me because, at some point—often when I am least expecting it—ideas and thoughts flood into my mind. Once I am 'on a roll,' I focus exclusively on my writing for as long as the thoughts flow freely into my consciousness. Sometimes I wake up spontaneously during the night, my mind overflowing with ideas and specific ways to word my thoughts for my current project. I keep pen and paper next to my bed to take advantage of these moments.

"I only write about issues that I feel passionate about. I write to touch the lives of others in a positive way. My own experiences and my research influence my work. I felt that the public needed to be protected against wasting many years of precious life following the alluring promises about the future world government under the Watchtower Society that Jehovah's Witnesses dance in front of their wondering eyes. Many have fallen victim to the deceptions of this organization. The nightmare they entered might have been avoided if they had been aware of the deceitful, entrapping, manipulative ways of the Watchtower Society."