Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Brandi Benson. I am an American Writer, Speaker, Business Owner, and Cancer Survivor. I am the founder and CEO of Resume-Advantage, an employment service for both civilians and transitioning military veterans. I have recently published a book called The Enemy Inside me. My debut memoir tells the touching story of my Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis during my deployment in Iraq in 2008. I have a BA in Mass Communications and Journalism at Ashford University and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design. With this second chance at life, I am dedicated to helping fellow cancer survivors in any way I can. My dreams are to be an ambassador for Ewing Sarcoma and to spread the word about this rare and aggressive cancer. I am a newly published author.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my current book is The Enemy Inside Me. My inspiration came from a personal experience that I had in 2009 while I was deployed in Iraq. I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. It’s about my very true accounts of being a soldier during the Iraqi war, the experiences I had before becoming an inpatient on Ward 71 at Walter Reed Medical Center in DC, the great lengths I traveled for treatment, and my battle with God and my religion. Out of this experience, the old Brandi Benson did die, and a new and more gracious Brandi Benson was born. I remember writing in my journal and making a promise to myself. I told myself, that if I lived, I would turn this experience into a book, publish it and become an ambassador for Ewing Sarcoma to help those who have walked this same line.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I actually do. Before I write, I have to get in the mood, and I have to clear and clean my space. For example, I am working on a children’s book right now, and part of my unusual writing habit is cleaning my entire house. While I am cleaning, I will put a cartoon on and listen to it. I don’t watch it, but I hear it. After I am done cleaning, I’ll make an outline out and then put another cartoon on and watch it this time. I will then eat something, then go to the gym and bring my outline and ponder on what my characters look like, where did they come from, how or where should my story take place, what do they look like. After a long process of thinking, I begin my drafts. I am incredibly detailed, and I bring my characters to life.
With all of my writing, I do a deep clean in my home before I start on any project. It is my way of clearing the space in my mind. I feel like I can concentrate better when my house is clean. There are no distractions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
All the authors and books that influence me are written in great detail or have a lesson that I will learn from reading the material. I really enjoy reading Lisa Jackson, who is known for her romantic suspense novels. Her attention to detail and her ability to draw the reader in is impressive. I also love David Foster Wallace; my favorite piece by him is Ticket to the Fair. The story was written back in 1994 and is about him being at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The account is vivid, hysterical and written well.
What are you working on now?
Right now I have a few sticks in the fire. I am working on two different books, one is about the art of selling yourself to employers, and the other is a children’s book. Besides writing books, I am working on opening up a nonprofit foundation for military service members who were deployed and return back with cancer. This foundation will help them with the transitions from both being deployed and returning as well as learning to accept the new you. There will be an area where these individuals will also get help with employment services as well – learning how to write a winning resume, how to sell themselves to employers, social media etiquettes, learn how to write a cover letter, professional bio … I think it is essential that military service members are taken care of when they get out into the civilian sector.
I remember being medically retired and going through a program that was supposed to help me transition back, they did a terrible job at writing my resume and I honestly felt lost. I want to prevent others from experiencing this.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best method for promoting a book is community involvement, radios, podcasts, and features in magazines, social media. Every outlet is a great platform to speak about new material that you’re trying to get to the masses.
As for my businesses, I am using social media, community engagement, and my PR team.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for a new author is to keep a journal where you can be honest and judgment-free. This is a great place to think about ideas, write what you think about life, your emotions, what you honestly feel. The second piece of advice I would give is to read. Start reading material that moves you. You cannot be a writer if you’re not a reader. The last thing is to write a little every day, even if it is just a paragraph. Just get it out on paper.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I have heard so many great things in my life, but two have truly stuck with me and no matter where I am in my life, they always apply to me. The first one is from my mother, she would always tell me not to make permanent choices off of temporary feelings. The second one is following your passion in life. Doing this gives us a sense of purpose, and with purpose, we feel love and proud of what we’re doing.
What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading about how to run a successful small business. I’ve also been watching many YouTube videos on this, as well as researching successful companies. Doing a small SWOT analysis to see where I can improve.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I really enjoy travelling and seeing new places. I want to go to Africa to visit my roots. I want to see where my ancestors are from and the culture there. I have also decided to train for the Paralympics Games, Olympic events for athletes with disabilities. I have been an athlete my entire life, and I would like to continue to compete. I would love to experience these events and write about them.
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?
First, that sounds like a very unfortunate situation ☺ .
1. SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the WIlD, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea. This is a great book to get into survival mode with.
2. Some sort of plant identification encyclopedia. I would not have the courage to kill an animal; so eating (safe) figs are my best bet.
3. Something that includes several centuries’ worth of history, mythology, poetry, philosophy.
Author Websites and Profiles
Brandi Benson Website
Brandi Benson Author Profile on Smashwords
Brandi Benson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile