Interview With Author - Kelly Bennett
Name: Kelly Bennett
Website: www.kellybennett.com
Website: www.jillmax.com
Questions:
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I was born in Santa Cruz, California. And grew up living along the Central and Southern California Coast. For the past 8 years I lived in Katy, near Houston, Texas. Now I live in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Q: Can you tell us your latest book news?
A: My new picture book is called NOT NORMAN, A GOLDFISH STORY, released in February, 2005 by Candlewick Press. Its illustrator Noah Z. Jones’s first book and I’m delighted with his bold, fun art! Norman is one amazing fish! My next book, written with my writing partner, Ronnie Davidson and using the name Jill Max, is a Cambodian Khmer Rouge Survivor story called STRANGERS IN BLACK, should be out this year.
Q: How old were you when you first started writing?
A: I was 27 years old and a working mother of 2 children, Max and Alexis, when I decided to try writing professionally. I was always a reader and storyteller (I’m one of those long-winded folks you try to avoid at parties.) When I was young, I loved to write poetry. I had–and still have–lousy handwriting. I’m left handed and don’t hold the pen correctly, so my hand used to get tired long before I finished the story. It still does, so now I make lots of sloppy notes that only I can read, and then do my real writing on the computer.
Q: When did you first realize you had the potential to be a writer?
A: In school, I received high marks on creative writing, so thanks to my teachers, I have always had the feeling that I was a good writer. And Poppy, my grandfather, loved my letters. He saved every one and always told me how great they were, so he deserves a lot of the credit.
Q: What was your inspiration to write your first book?
A: The first “published” book is very different that “first book.” I have drawers full of stories I believe should be books but have not been published. The first book I ever wrote was a rewrite of the book “500 Hats of Barthomew Cubbins.” It was a school assignment, and it was really bad, with ugly drawings and scribbly text. Yuck!
My first published book was in collaboration with Ronnie Davidson. She and I met in a writing class when I was just beginning to learn about writing professionally. We used to get together in the morning, after taking the kids to school and before I had to go to work. We’d walk and talk and laugh and create stories together. SHERLICK HOUND AND THE VALENTINE MYSTERY was our first published book and we had a dog-gone good time creating it. We’ve been writing together ever since.
Q: Is there anyone or anything that inspired you to write?
A: My children, Max and Alexis, and my almost-daughter, Chelsie, were the inspiration for my first books. Sharing the world with them awakens the kid in me. If I’m not writing about them, I’m writing for them.
Q: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
A: I grew up in a family of readers. We all read, share stories, enjoy stories, so it was natural for me to make the leap to writing.
Q: Do you have a specific writing style?
A: Nope! Every project is different. But “voice” in my stories is the most important thing. I have to know who’s telling the story and how he/she/it feels and thinks.
Q: What genre are you most comfortable writing?
A: Children’s books are my favorites. I love to read them and love to write them. The situations children have to face are important and real.
Q: How do you come up with the title(s) for your book(s)?
A: Titles are hard. In children’s books, it’s also good if the title tells a little about the subject so kids are drawn to it. I brain storm titles. I write long lists of possibles and then start eliminating.
Q: Is there a message in your books that you want readers to grasp?
A: Sure there’s a message. There always is and it’s always the same: Acceptance of yourself, your family and friends, your situation.
Q: How much of the book is realistic?
A: I tend to write a lot of fact based fiction. Which means I do a lot of research. And I am a stickler for accuracy. Accuracy is especially important when writing for children because they expect the written word to be true.
Q: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
A: Every book I’ve ever written comes from inside me, from part of my experience. NOT NORMAN is a goldfish story. I was trying to write a story about a child who gets a pet he doesn’t want. I tried to think of the silliest pet I could think of. One that does the absolute least for its owner, and goldfish came to mind. I have a pond full of goldfish and I love them even though don’t let me hold them, pet them, teach them tricks or do anything but swim, eat and poop, so I knew what I was writing about. STRANGERS IN BLACK is based on a year of weekly interviews with a Cambodian refugee and tons of research.
Q: What books have most influenced your life?
A: GONE WITH THE WIND, HEIDI, The TALL BOOK OF MAKE BELIEVE, THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING, all the Beverly Cleary Books, Judy Blume and Lois Lowry’s books are fabulous, too. And IRA SLEEPS OVER by Bernard Weber is my all time favorite picture book.
Q: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
A: I was blessed to have Paula Danziger as a friend and mentor for a short while. As she did with many other writers, Paula took me under her wing and helped me push forward with my writing at a time when I was letting my personal life stifle my work. Kathi Appelt and Liz Levy are my personal hero’s and role models. They both write fabulous fun books and share themselves and talents with others. Children’s writers are a loving and giving lot, we are a very supportive community.
Q: What are you reading now?
A: I’m reading THE EARTH, MY BUTT AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS by Carolyn Mackler (With a title like that how could I resist?) After that, I have a pile of newly published middle grade and YA novels I picked up at the International Reading Association Convention this May. I’m working my way through them.
Q: What new author has grasped your interest?
A: Not new, but always new to me, Joan Bauer. Joan writes about empowered interesting girls, girls who are also comfortable with themselves and who face the world head on. Girls like the girl and woman I wish I was and want to be.
Q: Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
A: Have fun with your writing, drawing, creating, whatever it is you like to do. The most important thing is that 1st you have to do it for yourself and you have to enjoy it, even the hard bits. Cheers, Kelly