Author, Melanie Benjamin, hits the scene with her historical novel and debut, ALICE I HAVE BEEN, to much buzz.  The story is an inspired what-if speculation on the life of Alice Liddell, muse to Lewis Carroll and template for one of the most recognizable characters in all of literature - the very Alice who tumbles down the rabbit hole into Wonderland.  The book is climbing lists and gathering speed, so it’s quite nice to catch Ms. Benjamin before she’s too busy for us.

We’d like to thank her for taking the time to be part of our “5 Minutes Alone” interview series.

AuthorScoop: What was your very first publication credit?

Melanie: Many years ago, I had an idea for a parenting essay; I tossed it off, sent it to a local parenting publication, and was offered my own column.  I thought publishing was so simple - little did I know how hard it would be in the ensuing years!  The ease of that first publication credit did not prepare me for the inevitable rejection that’s part of every author’s life.

AuthorScoop: Tell us about your latest release.

Melanie: ALICE I HAVE BEEN is a book of historical fiction, about the life of Alice Liddell, the little girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.  It’s also about their friendship; how it gave the world Wonderland, but also changed their lives forever in ways that were both beautiful and tragic.  It haunted Alice through her long, eventful life - which included a rumored romance with a prince of England, and sending all three of her sons off to fight in World War I - until, near the age of 80, she finally seemed able to embrace her literary legacy.

AuthorScoop: Aside from your own hard work, who (or what) else do you feel has contributed to your success?

Melanie: Two things - reading is the primary one.  I really do believe the best education a writer can get is a lifelong love of reading, particularly in the genre they wish to write.  Second is my ability to look forward, not back; I don’t get too attached to my words and if something doesn’t work out, I toss it - even whole manuscripts! - if I think it’s not working out.  Then I begin something new.  This ability has really saved my career.

AuthorScoop: At what time of day or night do you do your best writing?

Melanie: Afternoon and after dinner.  I’m not a morning person!

AuthorScoop: Finally, what advice would you give to new or unpublished writers?

Melanie: Read, read, read!  Read everything you can, read what’s being published today.  And also - respect.  Work hard at the craft of writing, give it years of study and practice as you would any other artform.  The Internet has made it all too easy to think we’re all writers; the ease of seeing your words instantly on a screen or a blog can lull a person into thinking she doesn’t have to work that hard.  We all do.

ALICE I HAVE BEEN is in bookstores now and available at online retailers, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com for both delivery and Kindle or Nook download.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 1:22 pm and is filed under *Jamie's Posts, 5 Minutes Alone, AuthorScoop Exclusives, The Writing Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.