Interview: Benjamin Schenk
BookHuntersBlog.com: As you write, how do you know when something is scary?
Benjamin Schenk: A lot of the characters I use are based on people I know. I’ll sometimes ask the person that the character is on how they would react in that situation. I also try to picture the action going on.
Do you have any movie influences?
All things science fiction, horror, and fantasy! Star Wars, Star Trek and the Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia movies are some of my favorites.
How do you prepare for your books? Do you read a lot of scientific publications?
Not really. I’ve always been enthused by the prehistoric past so that helped in writing Second World. I did look up some of the mythology of the Gods in Roman and Greek lore for the Invasion of the Planet Gods. I’ve always been a comic book fan, so that’s where some of the ideas for the books of the Seven came from!
Do you sometimes go “No, I can’t do that, that’s too far fetched”?
I think everything is in the realm of someone’s imagination. Look at Harry Potter, Narnia and Star Trek. Those books were definitely far fetched.
Do you like the unlimited possibilities that you have in writing speculative fiction? Is this what drew you to this genre?
That’s what makes it entertaining!
What made you decide to choose this kind of story?
I have a wild imagination and decided to put it into words!
Is your story a metaphor or social commentary in disguise?
No.
How do you choose which real-life experience to draw inspiration from?
Most of my books are complete from my imagination.
Some of the characters are based on people I know and some of the settings or towns are places I have been or lived, but there are very few life experiences involved in my writing.
What do you think about the future of books with all the new technology coming out (like Kindle and foldable screens)?
It would be a shame if people stopped reading. I was an honor student in both high school and college and I think I learned more from reading than I did the actual class room.
Did you study the craft of writing or dive right into it?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I just recently decided to hone my craft.
How difficult was the publishing process for you?
I self-published the first four books, and I might do the same with the fifth. Self-publishing is interesting because you control every aspect. The most difficult part is choosing an appropriate cover and the editing of your work!
How much of your own promotion do you do?
Most of it. I have t-shirts, hats, calendars and other items for the Seven that I have either sold or handed out to promote those books. I also have a MySpace page and a page at Outskirts Press for each of my books as well as a little blogging and things.
Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
Don’t let anybody tell you not to write. If you can imagine it and put it into words, there are people out there that will want to read it.
What are your future plans?
More writing, obviously. I hope someday to have a best seller or to have a movie studio or television network to pick up my books. Invasion of the Planet Gods would make an interesting horror/sci-fi movie. And The Seven would be a good fantasy show for all ages.
How do you juggle writing with the rest of your life?
I try to set aside at least 2 hours a day for writing. Sometimes I get more than that done, sometimes I don’t. I work more than fifty hours a week at my normal job so time is limited.
Do you have any methods or rituals to your writing?
Dreaming up new scenarios. Watching Television or searching the internet gives me ideas, as well.
How do you find inspiration?
Books, television, the movies, etc.
Was there one certain event or happening that made you want to write a book?
Not really.
What do you do against writer’s block?
Watch television, re-read what I’ve already written, search the internet. You never know where you’ll find a new idea.
Do you use an outline when writing? Do you stay linear or do you skip in time?
I used an outline for Second World and Invasion of the Planet Gods. For the Seven and the Seven: The Second Invasion, the books flowed so well that I really didn’t outline either one of them. As far as time, I try to keep everything in the time period the story is based in.
How difficult was it to get an agent?
I don’t have an agent.
How important is a good website and do you utilize blogging?
Word of mouth can be just as important as a website. I blog very little.
What do you prefer and why: Mass-market paperback or hard cover for your debut novel?
All of my books are published in both fashions.
What are the most difficult and rewarding aspects of being a published writer?
It is rewarding to see your work in between covers. Occasionally someone will recognize me from the picture on the back cover or from the name on the book and that can be rewarding in itself.
Thank you very much for this opportunity, and all the best in your career!
Second World
Invasion of the Planet Gods
The Seven and The Seven: The Second Invasion
Soon to be released Dead World.
Links to my works are http://www.OutskirtsPress.com and my MySpace site at http://www.MySpace.com/authorBenjaminSchenk
