Our first selection is someone many of you know and love, and really, how can you not? Jennie may not know this - maybe she does, she's psychic like that - but it was her influence two years ago that helped me capture the vision of social media and what I could do with it, and she gave me the final push to get on Twitter, something I never thought I'd do. And so, because of her stalwart support, encouraging enthusiasm and her stellar writing, I hereby dub thee, J. A.Bennett - Knight of the Cosmic Table!
(The actual table is under construction - don't mind our mess)
JAB: I feel totally honored! I had no idea that I helped you that way!
DPK: We'll call you anything you'd like - Lady Bennett it is! :)
You are a well-known throughout the Blogosphere. You have an awesome blog to prove it. What led you to be a
writer? What circumstances happened in your life that led to
this decision?
JAB: I've always enjoyed writing, it's been my preferred creative
outlet for as long as I can remember. But it wasn't until I was a senior in
high school that I thought I might actually have some talent to back it up. I
had an amazing AP English teacher who believed and encouraged me. Through
that class, I discovered a love for creating stories. For the next eight years I
started nine novels, but never finished any of them. Then one day, I had the best idea,
I was certain it would be bestseller! I reached 40,000 words. I figured out
that I might be able to finish it for real so I started blogging. That's when I
realized the book was crap and now resides in my don't-ever-touch-this-again pile. It's been almost two years since that fateful day and I feel
like I'm finally getting closer to writing something that might be
marketable by an agent. All I know for sure is, I'm never giving up.
DPK: I have a pile like that - different name, though. Which reminds me - I need to
pull out the duster. Kudos to amazing teachers!
I'm glad you brought up "never give up," because
that tells us a lot about your personality. A tenacious and vigilant
spirit is an added plus among this table of knights. How else would you
describe yourself?
JAB: When I find something I'm interested in I get really
passionate about it. Which is perhaps just a nice way of saying that I'm a
nerd. I always have a million thoughts and ideas floating around my head. Which
is really just a nice a way of saying I'm a day dreamer. Above all, I'm a
believer in people. I think everyone has the potential for greatness in their
lives. Which is maybe just a nice way of saying that I'm naïve. But I'd rather
be all of those things then be someone who isn't true to themselves.
DPK: People expect characters to be true to
themselves, and I'd like to extend that to real characters. Nicely put, Lady
Bennett!
Tell us a little about your current work in progress.
When do you plan to have a working draft finished?
JAB: Right now I'm working on a YA Romance that I hope to have
polished before the Storymakers conference in may. Here's a brief premise -
Seventeen-year-old Sterling Wilde has been accepted to the prestigious Manning School for the Gifted located in the British countryside. As a talented artist, she is the first to receive a scholarship to the school. All the other students come from wealthy families who want their children to have a leg up in the world of the arts or athletics.
Ignoring Harrison’s rudeness isn’t an option if she wants to be respected by her fellow students. Filling his shoes with shaving cream and mailing him underwear is only the beginning of how she plans to get her revenge.
What she doesn’t expect is for him to fall in love with her.
Seventeen-year-old Sterling Wilde has been accepted to the prestigious Manning School for the Gifted located in the British countryside. As a talented artist, she is the first to receive a scholarship to the school. All the other students come from wealthy families who want their children to have a leg up in the world of the arts or athletics.
Ignoring Harrison’s rudeness isn’t an option if she wants to be respected by her fellow students. Filling his shoes with shaving cream and mailing him underwear is only the beginning of how she plans to get her revenge.
What she doesn’t expect is for him to fall in love with her.
DPK: Now, I'm not big on Romances (I've pick
one up to shake things up, from time to time), but your story sounds like
something I could dive into without regrets. Can't wait for you to finish it!
Now that you are a Cosmic Knight, I'd like to know what it
means, for you, to be a knight. How do you apply this principle to your
writing, as a blogger, and in your real life?
JAB: I'm so glad to hear that David! I hate to only write for one
gender. Hopefully a couple of guys will get a kick out of it as well :)
When I think of knights, the word chivalry pops into my
head. It almost makes me want to repeat the scout law. You know, trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, etc. Which is probably a good law for life and
blogging. The best blogger's and writers I've met are all of the above, and
more.
DPK: Cool! I was in the scout program - that rings true to me
(oh, the stories I could tell you ... ;). Couldn't have said it
better myself.
My favorite confection is crullers. Never mind the
waistline or the calories - which one is your favorite and why?
JAB: ... *google's crullers*
Oh! Those look yummy! You're bringing a
box to storymakers, right? I'm a total sweet junkie, especially for chocolate.
I'd probably say my favorite dessert is chocolate fondue because you can add
chocolate to anything you want, the possibilities are endless!
DPK: Mmmmmm ... Cho-co-late ...
Yes, I will bring a box to Storymakers - how did you
know (see - psychic - what did I tell ya?)? I just need to figure
out a reason to bring a box - like an unofficial, off-the-program
gathering of some sort ...
Anyways! One more question - do you have curious or
interesting habits that manifest themselves when you write? Got to have the
music on? A candle lit? Anything at all, and how does it help you?
JAB: Sounds like you already have something in the works,
whatever it is, I'll be there!
As for my writing habits, the only quirk I have
is that I can't be distracted by anything. I have to zone out and be completely
into the story. Which usually means headphones and 5 AM
writing when I KNOW my kids won't be awake. Lucky for me, I have a few people
who also get up at that insane hour and chat with me on iwrite network. Really
motivates me to get out of bed! There's something about the stillness of the
morning that really helps me create, to each their own :)
DPK: See, I keep learning new things about you all the time! I
should look into this iwrite network doohickey.
It is an honor and a privilege, Lady Bennett, and
now, I present to you a custom badge that you may display wherever you'd like
(or not, if you're of the "secret order" persuasion), and as proof that you are indeed
a Knight of my Cosmic Table. Congratulations!
* * *
What an awesome first round of Knighting that was, amiright? Let's give it up for Lady Bennett for stepping up to the Cosmic Table!
Who will be our next cosmic knight? We'll wait until next month to find out. Until then, keep it real, and may the cruller be with you!
I'm David, and I need to find another chair ...