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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET BRIGITTE BENCHIMOL
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| Brigitte Benchimol |
I liked being outdoor on my tricycle or in the woods. I loved being creative, being a girl scout and being helpful to others.
What books influenced you most when you were growing up?
I was a fan of the Tintin Series which I realized only recently how it has influenced my own book series.
Did you write stories when you were growing up? at school? Or at home as a hobby? As a young child, or as a teenager, or both?
As a teenager, influenced by a book called Aviva, I wanted to become an international reporter and photographer – non fiction, multiculturalism, diversity and peace were already my favorite topics.
When you were a child did you ever have a moment when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?
I never thought of becoming a childrenʼs book author but more a reporter, investigating and sharing what I experienced.
What audience did you have in mind for your career as a writer - adult or children?
Originally it was adults but I didnʼt know much about writing for children.
When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing career?
Yes, I studied Journalism and sociology.
What was your first job when you graduated from college? How soon after that did you get published?
I had several internships in several magazines and newspapers even before going to college. My first article was published when I was around 19 years old and my first job was a photo-journalist for a City magazine.
Was your first book accepted immediately? or did you experience a number of rejections?
My first book was published in India with the very first publisher I met. Then I also had an offer by an American Publisher but I chose to not sign the contract for various reasons – I believed I was supposed to self publish my series since my background is in education.
What are the topics of your books?
The main recurrent topic of the whole series is: How to live a conscious life with JADYN AND THE MAGIC BUBBLE. Itʼs all about multiculturalism, diversity with DISCOVERING INDIA , peace and conscious reactions with I MET GANDHI, wildlife conservation and our responsabilities towards animals with KENYA! KENYA! and the
next one is about environmental connection with TRINIDAD, MANGO PARADISE. Each book takes place in a different country.
Do you focus on fiction or nonfiction? Which do you prefer? Do you find one easier than the other?
The JADYN AND THE MAGIC BUBBLE series is a mixed of fiction and nonfiction – itʼs called creative nonfiction. Itʼs very much how I feel about my life! About Jadynʼs adventures, I love the fictional imaginative aspect and I
love all the research and facts I learned and my readers learn as well.
Do you do other types of writing - for example, educational, nonfiction, magazine work?
I used to be a childrenʼs book reviewer for a magazine. I started a movie script, I do write essays about childrenʼs education, I write poems, songs… anything that inspires me.
What kinds of things inspire you to write?
From a hummingbird gathering nectar to a singer – I think it comes from an altered state of mind – Inside out. The outside is just there all the time but the question is when am I ready to let it in!
Where do you get your ideas?
My imagination is a blessing and a curse – but certainly more a blessing – constantly on - like a movie running 24/7!
What gave you the idea for the JADYN AND THE MAGIC BUBBLE SERIES?
My passion for traveling and cultural differences.
Have any of your books earned special recognition?
Yes. DISCOVERING INDIA received two awards from Dr. Toy. I MET GHANDIi received the finalist award from Indie Excellence. KENYA! KENYA! had just came out.
If some of your fiction stories are factual, do you write about people that you have been interested in for a long time, perhaps since childhood?
Yes, absolutely. I had a fascination for Gandhi since I was a teenager.
Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?
I love researching and love working from my imagination – thatʼs why I feel like I have the best of both worlds!
Do you work on more than one book at a time?
Usually, I donʼt but if a story comes, a poem or anything then I welcome it.
Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?
I believe itʼs a different pleasure each time. I am still amazed about the very short time it took me to write I MET GANDHI. Then, after I found a new illustrator my book was in my hand five months later. Amazing!
What are you working on now?
When do you expect to start submitting it to publishers? The next Jadyn adventure is in Trinidad: JADYN AND THE MAGIC BUBBLE – TRINIDAD, MANGO PARADISE. Really fun! Jadyn is going to show us the different ways to connect to Mother Earth.
What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?
I want the students to question the world they live in. To understand that they have to create a better one and that nothing is impossible with determination. My goal is to inspire them and trigger their critical thinking skills.
Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that youʼd like to share?
Yes, I have received many fan letters. I am so delighted when I receive them. Children tell me all the time how much they love the Jadyn series and canʼt wait to read the next book. Children often thank me for “taking the time to visit them out of my busy schedule”. I feel that itʼs a privilege and a priority for me to discuss with them the
ideas of my book series. To quote amazing Eleonor: "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." (Eleanor Roosevelt) Children have amazing minds. I just want to feed them with fantastic stories to inspire them.