I’m a big fan of authors who write authentically about people who feel that they are on the margins. In, “Just Benny”, Alex Banwell wrote movingly about a boy called Benny with severe epilepsy. His mother, Janet, could charitably be described as a bit overprotective, in the same way that Mrs Elton in, “Emma” would be a top pick for being one of the most pretentious characters in literature. However, there is always a story, and in Alex’s follow-up, “Being Janet”, we discover that a traumatic event in her childhood has led Benny’s mother to coddle her son to the detriment of her marriage and relationship with both of her children. I caught up with the author to find out more.
1. When you wrote, “Just Benny,” did you know there would be a second book?
I did, but I had no idea that book would be about Janet. I wanted to continue writing Nettie and Benny’s story. I had the whole thing mapped out and had even started drafting, but then God took over and gave me another idea. I fought it at first. I didn’t even like Janet, so how was I supposed to write a book about her? But experience has taught me not to argue with the Holy Spirit. It was a tough book to write and there were so many times when I nearly gave up, but now I’m glad I didn’t.
2. As a series writer myself, I’m interested how you found the experience of the writing process. Was it easy to return to Benny’s world, pick up on other characters and keep the thread going?
I believe I would have found it much harder to start afresh with a new set of characters because Benny and his family are so alive in my mind. I can imagine their voices, what they look like, and the things they might say and do. In fact, the more I live with them, the more ideas I have. I suppose I’ll know when it’s time to move on because this will happen with new characters and places, but until then, I’m happy to stick with the Wellanders.
3. You switch between the present and Janet’s childhood – how hard was it to write two timelines?
The biggest challenge was inventing a new set of characters and making them feel as authentic as the ones I already knew. Once I had a clear picture of Janet’s birth family, writing their story from the past seemed to flow as smoothly as writing the present, with logical stopping points where I could switch between timelines. However, it was my editor’s idea to put the flashbacks into the first person, and I loved making those changes because hearing Janet’s voice finally got me completely into her head, enabling me to write her parts with more empathy.
4. I really admire the way you write your fiction, focusing on a character with severe epilepsy and who could be seen as someone on the margins. How have your readers responded?
Many of them seem to love Benny almost as much as I do. In fact, some were disappointed when I said the second book was going to focus on his mother, but thankfully, they came around after reading it. I really hope that getting to know Benny will help my readers remember that we are all worthy of love and understanding. We each have lessons to learn, and something unique to contribute. I pray that Benny will be an inspiration to others like him who think they are rubbish or, “No good at nothing.”
Author, Alex Banwell
5. It can be hard writing about faith in an authentic way in fiction, but you’ve certainly succeeded.
Thank you. I don’t want my books to come across as preachy. Jesus is such an integral part of my everyday life because I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know him, and I long for others to know him too. I didn’t set out to write Christian books, but as I began drafting, “Just Benny”, I simply couldn’t help including my faith in the story. I love the fact that my books have been enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians alike, and that as far as I am aware, the faith element has never put anyone off.
6. And finally – will there be another book about Benny, Janet and their family?
I hope so, providing I stop pontificating and find the courage to write it. Perhaps I’ll be allowed to continue the story I started two years ago, before Janet took me off on a tangent. Or will God throw me another curveball? Writing with him is definitely an exciting adventure, so I guess I just need to stop being a scaredy cat and throw myself wholeheartedly into it.
Many congratulations, Alex! And huge congratulations on writing a book about a character you didn’t even like in the beginning.
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To buy your own copy, visit Alex’s publisher’s website: https://broadplacepublishing.co.uk, or from Amazon here.
You can visit Alex’s website: https://www.alexbanwellauthor.com and subscribe to her newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/alexbanwell.