Interview With Author Benita de la Rocha
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Benita de la Rocha is a persona I, Benedetta Innaro, have created to express the world within me. She's like an exact copy of me plus the courage to be herself unapologetically and put into words all the thoughts and emotions we experience. I started writing poems at a very young age, but started publishing just recently. I have written only one book so far, though I've been coming up with ideas for another one.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is "The Billion Voices In My Head", a collection of the best and most representative poems I have written from age 14 to 18. The inspiration for it came from my experience first of all, all of the negative thoughts I was battling with but also my fantasies and dreams. I am a weird person, so my mind can come up with very weird scenarios and there are a lot of them in my book. Furthermore, I was inspired by the many artists that have impacted me throughout the years, not only writers but painters, singers or musicians in general and film directors too.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn't define my writing habits unusual, but once the inspiration sparks I need to start writing as soon as possible regardless of what I'm doing. I get ideas mostly during showers, walks and sex. So if you see me typing on my phone immediately after (or during) these, you'll know why. If I can't write down my thoughts anywhere, I'll start saying them out loud not to forget until I get a tool and a surface of any kind.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My influences changed a lot throughout the years, I'd say the most important are Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath, Charles Baudelaire, Gabriele D'Annunzio, Lana del Rey, Lewis Carroll and Avan Jogia.
What are you working on now?
I'm not working on anything in particular now, I'm still trying to figure out what the "next chapter" is about. Since the latest poem in my first book, I wrote some pieces that other people and myself included find interesting and valid, but I haven't understood what links them yet.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I'm still new on this field and trying to understand the ups and downs.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Experiment first of all, give everything a chance. I'm talking about methods, topics, styles. This will make your journey more interesting. Don't fear other people's opinion and feedback: remember that art comes to life when it meets with a spectator's feelings and point of view. Plus, if you believe in what you created nothing else will really matter.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Better out than in, it applies to almost everything not just burps. It's been crucial to my survival and the real reason I write.
What are you reading now?
I'm reading a lot of children's books for work. There are some that pretty thought-provoking even for adults. I have recently discovered Shel Silverstein and man he was a genius. Oliver Jeffers is incredibly talented too.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I can't really tell right now.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I'd definitely bring a survival guide, Howl and other poems by Allen Ginsberg, Mixed Feelings by Avan Jogia (it has many wonderful pictures to look at) and a very long novel like The Lord of the Rings or The Godfather.
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