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Interview with Helen Benbow at her home in Windermere Park, January 2001
- You attended a well-respected Sydney Catholic School and grew up in a religious household. What experiences provoked your spark of controversy and rebellion?
Looking back, I can only say I felt that if god was as I was taught, then the god I thought I knew wasn't like that. If he was, I didn't want to know him. It was impossible for me to conceive from the age of 5 that he was such a cruel and ruthless and unforgiving god.
- What sorts of books did you enjoy as a child? What books are your favorites today?
As a child I was an avid reader. I read everything in the house. All the Jane Eyre books, Jane Austin,
There were many classics and I absorbed them all. I nicked my brothers adventure books and read them. When my mother joined the travelling library, I read everything she got including all of Pearl Bucks.
Today I like to be entertained and to laugh. I love a good mystery not into violence, that sickens me,
A good thriller, I thoroughly enjoyed Christian Jacque's quintet about Ramses the Great. So I guess I'm a broad spectrum reader. I certainly enjoyed all Clive Cusslers yarns about Dirk Pitt.
- Helen, tell us a little about your background as a writer. How did you get into the writing business?
I suddenly found I had stacks of ideas in my late forties and started writing seriously then. Norman Macswan was one of my mentors and he taught me to write on to a typewriter instead of with pen and pad. That was difficult at first but proved to be most important in the end. The late great Olaf Ruhen was most impressed by my writing and couldn't understand why I'd not been published. When I went to his funeral service I promised him I'd keep on writing.
- For you, what is the hardest part of being an author?
All the knockbacks! Other than that not having the time needed to think and therefore denied the desire to write.
- What do you love about it?
Everything. Playing with words, saying things under the text, particularly in conversations.
- What inspired you to begin writing the Quartet?
The momentous events that occurred in my life in 1997. I had the knowledge, I had the experience and what a saga I could tell.
- How do you enjoy your spare time?
I like to earth myself in the garden. I get tremendous joy from my dog, Shadow - aptly named although I feel he's the boss. I would love to be able to play golf and tennis again, and maybe I will. I was playing golf regularly until I left Sydney.
- When Minerva confirmed they were selecting your quartet for publication, what was your reaction?
I was overcome. The Reader for the publishing company knew exactly what I was saying, it was an amazing and beautiful sensation but not one I could talk about for a few days.
- Minerva is unable to supply the US and Australian markets. How do you propose to overcome this obstacle?
Well, it is a big obstacle and appears to be insurmountable at the moment. But I'll think of something!
- What's next in your writing plans?
I've written a novella for young (and old) children. Its set in the Riverina about an eleven year old girl and her superb black stallion, Katama. The children who have read it love it, and I want to up date it as I wrote it in the 1980s. Also there are lots of short stories for children and a stack of short stories for adults, some only a page long and I'd like to see those published as well as a couple of novels gathering dust.
- What are your 10 favorite books of all time?
(Click on the links to read more about these volumes and purchase at Amazon.com)
- I really enjoyed Jeffery Deaver as a writer because he captures the young people of today.
There are three delightful stories about 'Rune' that make for entertaining and lively reading. They are "Manhattan is my Beat". "Hard News" and "Death of a Blue Movie Star". Also "The Blue Nowhere" is another great read.
- Michael Connelly's hero, Harry Bosch makes terrific reading too. I can hardly wait for the next one to come out - in April. Here is another special author. "The Black Ice" and "The Black Ice" are top reads as is "Void Moon".
- I particularly enjoy Patricia Cornwell's novels on Kay Scarpetta. The author has created a living, breathing woman along with the overweight policeman, Pete Marino. It's been interesting watching the relationship grow between Aunt Kay and her contemporary niece, Lucy Farinelli.
- David Gutterson's "East of the Mountains" is a most interesting read. Gentle and sad, but refreshing. His "Snow Falling on Cedars" is also quite beautiful.
- Lee Child has created a terrific character in Jack Reacher. These are real thrillers. "Tripwire", "Echo Burning" and "The Visitor" all make for a chilling read ...save for a hot night...
- Robert Crais wrote another spine tingler with "Robert Crais". Whew.
- John Steinbeck, from another era in America, wrote gentle, moving stories about people. I have all of them in leather. "The Pearl" and "Burning Bright", "Of Mice and Men", "East of Eden", "Cannery Row". Read them and weep for what we've lost.
- Lynda La Plante wrote a wonderful trilogy on her heroine Lorraine Page. "Cold Shoulder", "Cold Blood" and "Cold Heart". They are three stunning reads.
- J.H. Fletcher wrote a great yarn "Wings of the Storm". This is an unusual and beautiful love story.
- 'Don't Stop the Carnival'by Herman Wouk. »»
- All the stories by Dick Francis »»
- All of Jeffrey Archer's »»
- Patricia Cornwall's Kay Scarpetta series »»
- The Vintner »»
- 'Tulip Fever' by Deborah Moggach »»
- 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur S. Golden. »»
Read more about Helen Benbow
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