Interview with Benjamin Wallace, Author

Benjamin Wallace is the author of two novels,Tortugas Rising and Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors, and a short story entitled Dumb White Husband vs. The Grocery Store. He is one of the most interesting authors I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing.

When asked for a bio, he was quite candid. For instance, Benjamin admits he has been trying to sell you stuff for years: liquor, beer, pizza, Big Gulps and more. After tiring of writing short headlines, he decided to put a bunch of words together in a row. What resulted was a mash-up of action, adventure and comedy. Though some have called his work unconventional and surprising, Benjamin confirmed that he still writes his books left to right, top to bottom and front to back. I was fortunate that Benjamin graciously took time from his busy schedule to grant me the interview that follows:

Can you identify a moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer? What was that moment like?
It was probably the first time I told a lie and got away with it.
One specific incident that I remember was in 6th grade. Our English class entered a scenario contest (that’s what they called it) for high school seniors. We all submitted a story. A few weeks later I was pulled aside – I figured to get a lecture about my smart mouth – and told that my story had advanced in the competition.
I just remember thinking, “that was easy. I totally made all that crap up.”
That’s when I figured writing was for me. It matched my laziness and someone thought I was good at it.

Did anyone encourage you in your writing? Did that encouragement make a difference?
My excitement actually waned as we read books in school: the Pearl, My Name is Asher Lev, Portrait of the Artist, I Heard the Owl Call my Name, etc. If that was what people wanted to buy, I had no interest in writing it.
Then, ten minutes before an English class, I was reminded I had an assignment due. It could be anything. All I had was a paper and pen. So I made up a title and forced myself to write a story about it.
It was called “The Man Who Could Read Trees”. I scribbled furiously, turned it in and tried not to make eye contact with the teacher. It was returned a few days later covered in red. I stashed it in my Trapper Keeper™ and didn’t look at it.
Later, I peeked. All of the red ink was praise. 100++++ was the grade. And, again, I thought, “I just made all that crap up” but this time added “in like ten minutes.”
Her praise was what sealed it. I was just going to make crap up for a living.
The teachers name was Mrs. Best. Really.
My family has always been ridiculously encouraging. My friends have as well, since I started hitting bestseller lists.

Do you have a “day job” in addition to your career as an author?
Yes. I make crap up for ads. I’ve been a writer in advertising for years and continue to do so. Being an author isn’t paying the bills. Yet.

Describe the self-discipline required to write a book. Do you have any writing rituals?
I tried for years to write a novel. I found myself getting more and more sidetracked by advice books. I procrastinated writing a book by reading about how to write a book. In the end, there is no secret. Just write it. Put everything down until it’s done. If the words aren’t coming, I just write what needs to be conveyed and fix it in the second draft. Or third. Or…you get it.
I’ve got the day job I mentioned above and three young kids. So, finding time for any kind of ritual would be a miracle. I try to write when they go to bed. That gives me about two hours before I pass out myself. I try to write 2000 words a night. Sometimes it’s less, often it’s more. They’re bad words. Crappy words. But, by then end, the story is told. Then I go back and make it sound like an adult wrote it.
I write in the spare bedroom at home, the coffee shop in town and my garage where I can smoke. Guess where I get the most done.

How would you describe your writing style?
I classify my books as action/adventure comedies. Others have said, “irreverent,” “action-packed,” “comedic thriller.” Someone on twitter mentioned that my description sounded like interesting genre bending. I responded that it was less like bending and more like punching action/adventure in the junk when it wasn’t looking. So, that’s how I would describe it now (though there is zero crotch punching or kicking in the junk in my books).
I’d like to think that my books are like a summer-blockbuster-type movie. There’s a lot of action and excitement like a studio tent-pole film, but with a lot more comic relief.

Give a short summary of each of your books. And how did you come up with the ideas for the plots?
Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors: A Duck and Cover Adventure – I wanted to look at the funny side of the apocalypse. I never understood why so many characters in the post-apocalyptic movies wore tires and chains. I always figured there would be a few Gap warehouses left over.
So, this is just me playing in the post-apocalyptic world that was created by so many movies. But, instead of one wandering warrior, I created two. The truth is there is more work for farmers in an apocalypse than a warrior. The two main characters both offer to protect a town. One is hired. One is thrown out to travel across the wasteland. The question becomes, did the town choose the right guy?
Tortugas Rising – The idea came years ago when I heard about the World project in Dubai. I thought the chain of man-made islands would be a great setting for a chase/action story. But, I wanted them closer to home so I put a similar chain in the Gulf of Mexico near the Dry Tortugas islands.
What I didn’t want was a character that was another ex-special forces/cop/spy/assassin-bad-ass. I wanted an everyman that was an everyman and not some highly trained killer-everyman. That character became Steve Bennett – just some guy that inherits a billion dollar fortune from a father he never knew. He also inherited an island in the chain. When he and his friend go to check it out and relax, they get caught up in a sinister plot that threatens the country. Whether his father was involved or not becomes a question. In fact, who his father really was will drive the series.
Their lack of skills and general ineptness at stopping world changing threats drives the humor.
Those weren’t short at all.
So here’s short:
Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors: A Duck and Cover Adventure – Mad Max meets Douglass Adams (A kind reviewer said that).
Tortugas Rising – Two best friends get chased across a chain of man-made islands. They don’t stand a chance. And rhinos.

Without giving too much away, what is the gist of your short story, “Dumb White Husband vs. the Grocery Store”?
The Dumb White Husband short stories will focus on the character we all know and love/hate from commercials and sit-coms. But, for the first time (Maybe. Can’t promise. I Hate research.) We see things from his point of view.
In the first story, he is given a shopping list by his wife and he is trying to get the groceries and get back home so he can watch sports. ‘Cause that’s what we dumb white husbands do. Isn’t it?
In the second story, Dumb White Husband vs. Halloween, another dumb, white husband is trying to have the best house on the block for Halloween.

Are any of your characters based on yourself?
Only the awesome ones.
Okay. Okay. I think it’s hard for an author to separate him or herself totally from their characters. If you see me shining through, it will be in the scenes where the characters are feeling/acting a little awkward.
Except with Dumb White Husband. I’m totally that guy. Except, I don’t really like sports.

What considerations went into your decision to become an indie author?
What I write is weird. Right? Post-Apocalyptic comedies. Action heroes with no heroic qualities. I doubt anyone would see a market for that. Based on the number of paranormal romance books out there, it doesn’t seem like publishers are big on taking chances. They sell what they know will sell.
With indie publishing I can find my own market. There are all the other perks: creative control, cover design, I release material when I want, price control, etc. That’s all great. But, no one can tell me that a guy driving around the wasteland in a Winnebago won’t sell. And, if they did, they’d be wrong, because it has sold. My mom bought at least two copies.
The romantic side of me also likes the DIY ethic. My success is based on my own efforts. The harder I work, the more success I have. There’s no one holding me back.
Obviously, I have trust issues.

Are there any authors whose work has influenced you or whose style you particularly admire?
I’ve always enjoyed the big action adventure authors: Ludlum, Cussler and Jack DuBrul (once he gets back to writing his own books). I also enjoy the classic adventure authors: Burroughs, Dent, Haggard.
As far as style goes, the author that showed me that books can be funny was Steve Martin. At a point I thought that all books had to be serious. But, after picking up a copy of The Cruel Shoes, I knew funny would work on a page Although, I don’t write zany or ridiculous stuff like the brilliance that was in that book. I try to pull the comedy from the characters words and actions.

Do you have any encouragement or advice for aspiring writers?
You’re not that special. Sounds mean, right? Like I’m being a big jerk? I’m actually pretty nice, so, don’t go being all judgmental, just hear me out, because, once I realized that I wasn’t that special it made all the difference. We’re writers. We’re weird. We sit in dark rooms telling ourselves stories. It’s the kind of creepy anti-social behavior that leads to manifestos and mail bombs. How could anyone get our unique perspective on the world?
It’s because we’re not that special. Other people are going to share our fascinations, our interests, and our sense of humor. Once I realized that if I find something funny surely at least few other thousand not-so-special people would as well. Then, I thought, “Hey, they’ve got money they could give to me. Let’s see if I can make them laugh.”
So, write what you want to write. Write how you want to write. If your book doesn’t feel like anything else that’s out there…good. People have been looking for something different to read for years. The publishing industry just never saw a big enough market for anything other than what they were selling.
Put it out there. You’ll get nervous before you hit submit. You’ll wonder if it’s ready. You’ll sweat and start snapping at your pets for “sitting there all stupid!” Put it out there. If you put the time in to craft a solid story, someone is going to love it.
And, Twitter. This one is really just more practical, but you’re going to be marketing yourself so it’s important. Build a network and never underestimate the support that these “strangers” will give you. Don’t wait for your book to be done, start making friends now.


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