Hi everyone! Welcome to my new author interview series. I'm going to be talking to some awesome YA authors right here on the blog. Expect new interviews every other Friday.
Without further ado... K.B. Benson!!
KB: Hello! I’m KB, writer of all things fantasy. I love writing Young Adult fantasy with a touch of romance… always. I’m a huge believer in adventure, strength, and love—ideas that we all experience in our lives and ideas that are big themes in my books. I live in a super rural town hours away from everyone with my husband, two kiddos, and Golden Retriever. I am the mother of a Heart Warrior (little guy who had open heart surgery in February) and I love looking at life with all its trials and chaos like the best story ever written. Especially 2020. Who would ever have guessed those plot twists?
Evelina: Let's start with some basics. How many books have you written?
KB: I’ve written and published five books so far. There are three books in my Call of the Sirens trilogy; The Harbor, a Call of the Sirens novella that is exclusively available to those on my newsletter; and Heart of Wynter, a Snow White retelling novella currently in the Princess Bachelorette anthology.
Evelina: Why YA?
KB: Your young adult years are so important in life. And, I swear, they are the hardest because you are trying to figure this life out and where you fit into it. Books always tell amazing coming of age stories and I think everyone goes through a similar story in their real life. Every book I write focuses on strength in some form. Sometimes its strength to love who you are despite the mistakes you’ve made (Call of the Sirens) or strength to be selfless or carry on when you’re afraid. Strength to choose another way. I’ve always wanted my stories to entertain readers; but more than that, I hope young readers walk away uplifted and motivated to be strong as they travel through their own life stories.
Evelina: I always like to ask authors, what are you reading right now?
KB: Right now, I’m in between books. When I draft, I try to put other books away because I either get so sucked into the stories that I can’t focus on mine or I’m too jazzed to write mine, that I can’t get into the other story. The last book I read was Oath Taker by Audrey Grey. It was fantastic!
Evelina: If you could drop into any fantasy world (television, movies, books, games) for a visit, where would you go? And why?
KB: It may be cliché but the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. My husband and I went to Harry Potter World a few years back and we spent almost all day every day walking the streets, drinking butterbeer, spending too much money at Honeydukes. And when our feet felt broken, we went back to the hotel and watched Harry Potter binging on all our candy. It was kind of awesome.
Evelina: That basically sounds like the best day ever. No judgment here. Speaking of great stories...if you had to choose, which do you prefer: A) strong characters B) mind-blowing plot twists or C) epic worldbuilding?
KB: Oh, I love all of them! I guess I’d choose strong characters. I love a good, mind-blowing plot twist; but if you don’t have strong characters, then the plot twist loses impact because it’s harder to care about how the twist affects your character.
Evelina: Since a lot of teens read YA and are probably reading this interview. If you could do something differently as a teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would it be?
KB: Take a creative writing class! I’ve never taken one and would absolutely love to now. I wish I could whisper to my high school self to pay more attention to grammar, and when I stepped into college to pick a creative writing major instead of journalism. I definitely learned a lot but I think I would’ve enjoyed my classes a lot more.
Evelina: Okay, so before we wrap up, tell us about your upcoming book/series.
KB: I am so excited about my current WIP! I’m dipping my toes into the fairytale retelling world (and by dipping, I totally mean I plunged headfirst) and am working on a collection that will feature a number of fairytales that are not already saturated with retellings.
My first novel-length retelling is a Troll Under the Bridge and Alice in Wonderland mash up. Think gladiator battles, troll magic, and wishing wells. Oo, you guys, I’m so excited about it!
Evelina: You had me at troll magic. Okay, so let's drop some of KB's links below. Definitely check out Call of the Siren. Until Oct. 31, the entire trilogy is on sale for $0.99!!
Visit KB Online:
Website: https://www.kbbenson.com
Purchase the Complete Trilogy:
Social Links:
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Until Next Time!
Evelina