Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
I’m a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a writer, a reader, and a dog lover. I live in Wisconsin. I recently retired from a job in the human service field; before that I worked in a domestic violence program. My wife and I have six children and six grandchildren between us, so spending time with family and friends is always a priority for me.
I’m a multi-genre author. I’ve written three adult literary novels, one middle-grade chapter book, and one young adult novel.
What are your books about?
Two of the adult books explore the trauma of domestic violence and the third focuses on family relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters.
My two most recent books are the middle-grade book and the young adult novel. Trapped in a Tablet, the middle-grade book, was written in collaboration with my youngest granddaughter, Greta, and is part fantasy, part mystery.
Short description of Trapped in a Tablet: While searching through her grandma's dusty attic, Dinah finds herself uncovering a mystery. Locked away inside a tablet is ten-year-old Lonnie, who is dying to break free. Teaming up with her BFF Lily, Dinah dives into a thrilling mission to reboot Lonnie's life. Along the way, the trio uncovers epic lessons about friendship, forgiveness, and what family really means. Will they crack the code to set Lonnie free?
Nana Was a Bootlegger is the young adult novel and was co-authored with my older granddaughter, Genevieve. This book is a mystery with a dose of time-traveling thrown in for good measure.
Short description of Nana Was a Bootlegger: Seventeen-year-old Ellie thought her biggest problems were her best friend moving away and the looming chemistry test, until an afternoon at her grandmother’s house led her to discover a long-lost journal. Through a sudden twist of fate, Ellie is pulled through a mysterious rip in the time-space continuum and dropped into a smoky speakeasy in 1924 run by her great-great-grandmother, Nancy. In her new reality, Ellie must navigate a threatening world of gangsters, bootleggers, and family truths where not everyone is who they appear to be. As the lines between past and present begin to fracture, will Ellie be able to save Nancy and find her way home?
What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
The inspiration for my two most recent books came from my granddaughters. Trapped In a Tablet sprang from the imagination of my eleven-year-old granddaughter, Greta, and my fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Genevieve, provided the inspiration for Nana Was a Bootlegger. About three years ago, Genevieve showed an interest in a book I was writing, and she helped me write some descriptions. Then, she shared thoughts about bootlegging that didn’t really fit in the book I was working on, so we took her ideas and started writing a young adult novel. Then Greta became interested in what we were doing. The three of us had a long conversation about reading and writing. Greta shared her concept for a story about a girl who discovered a ghost living in her grandmother’s attic, so we ran with that and started a middle grade book.
They had ideas for stories that would never have occurred to me. It was great fun to take their creative visions and work together to put them into words and end up with traditionally published books.
What did you learn while writing your second book?
I learn a great deal from each book. My two most recent books taught me to write in new genres. I read a lot of middle-grade and young adult books to help me better understand the language, flow, and ideas that audiences expect from those genres.
What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
One of the best things about being a writer is that writing offers the opportunity to explore ideas and issues in depth. Writing helps me think about myself and the world more fully and with more clarity.
Also, writing can be super fun. My characters become real and take on a life of their own. Listening to other writers, I've learned this isn't unusual. My characters often decide their own path they want to take, and they will tell me when I'm trying to push them to do something that they don't believe is the best way for their character to go. Interacting with the characters in my head is one of the best things about writing. I always have someone interesting to talk with.
What elements do you think make for a good story?
A well-constructed plot is important, especially in a mystery. I also love character-driven stories. Well-rounded, complex characters who seem like actual people, give substance to a story and keep readers involved. Conflict is crucial to engage readers – a mystery to solve, a journey to complete, a problem to overcome – something that propels the characters forward and keeps the story moving.
What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
For me, marketing my books is the hardest part of being an author. Being a writer is such a different identity than being a salesperson. In some ways the two personas seem completely opposite. Writers spend a great deal of time alone, creating. I tend to be an introvert, comfortable spending time by myself. Marketing is a very public activity. It requires an extroverted vibe, a different type of energy, that I’m less comfortable with.
What is your current writing project?
I’m working on an adult murder mystery. I’ve never written in this genre before, and it’s a lot of fun as well as a bit daunting. A mystery is more than a story; it’s also about creating a puzzle for the reader. I’ve just finished the first draft, and there are many loose ends that I need to go back and tie up, so finding the killer makes sense in the end. If the puzzle is too easy to solve, it’s boring for the reader. If it’s too hard or the reader doesn’t have all the needed information to solve it, they might feel cheated.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve received a lot of good advice, but I think my favorite words of wisdom focus on getting the words on paper. Life is full of many important things, and it’s easy to find yourself discouraged or distracted. But just keep writing. Get your story down on paper, and don’t edit yourself during the first draft. Then revise and revise and revise. Don’t give up. Listen to your stories. They are valuable and need to be told.
Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
For upcoming events, books, and other information, please check the following:
Alice Benson Website: https://alicebensonauthor.com/
Alice Benson Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063686912745
Alice Benson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abenson59/