“Reading back something I’ve written years or even months ago and thinking, ‘Wow, this is good,’ is such a great feeling.”
– Rebecca Benison
Rebecca, thank you for joining us. Could you introduce yourself, share a bit about your background, and tell us what drives your work as a writer?
Yes, my name is Rebecca Benison, and I’m a content marketing professional and creative writer. I’ve always enjoyed creating. Writing is the area where I’ve been able to build a career, but I love tinkering with different media like drawing, photography, and even jewelry making, too.
It’s all about experimenting and piecing things together until you find something that resonates with you. Reading back something I’ve written years or even months ago and thinking, “Wow, this is good,” is such a great feeling. Finding validation from others in the form of positive reviews, story acceptances, and even sales is a huge driver for continuing to write, even when it’s hard finding time.
And of course, being a mom is my main driver in life. I’m extremely fortunate to work in a professional industry where remote and hybrid work options exist. Having that flexibility to be home, even if I’m not actively caregiving, is such a huge benefit.
How has becoming a parent influenced your writing process and creative perspective?
Becoming a parent has reshaped my creative perspective. In the beginning, there really wasn’t much time for writing. The newborn stage is mostly just about surviving each day. Now that my daughter is a toddler, I do have more time in the evenings, but I have less energy and focus.
That being said, I have so much inspiration. I have started writing a children’s book, and I have another lyrical one that’s been playing in my head since she was just a tiny baby. One day I’ll get around to actually writing that one down.
Your debut novel, Harvest Cruise, was released shortly after the birth of your daughter. Can you describe the journey of completing and promoting your book during such a transformative time?
I’m so glad that most of the logistical items were finished before I gave birth. I did have some final proofreading to do after she was born, but mostly I was researching book review platforms and submitting Harvest Cruise to try to build awareness and excitement. I also pitched my story to local newspapers and blogs, and I got a fair amount of publicity that way.
There were many lessons learned throughout that process. If I were launching another book, I would definitely start promoting it earlier.
Aside from that, it was just such an incredible time seeing both of these things I’d been working toward for so long finally coming to fruition.
What motivates you to balance professional marketing work with your creative writing endeavors, and how do you manage your time effectively?
I’m so fortunate to have a career that I genuinely enjoy. Obviously, our professional journeys are largely built to support our lives outside of work, but it helps when you like what you do. Creative writing does take a backseat to my job, but I think carving out those small moments of writing time also helps keep up the excitement for a project. Harvest Cruise was 90% written during lunch breaks, and there was a thrill of getting as much down in an hour as I could. Now, I prefer to write or create other art during toddler nap time, or after she goes to bed at night.
Can you share the most rewarding moments or milestones in your writing career so far, and what they have meant to you personally?
Getting a book deal was absolutely the top moment of my writing career. I’d been querying Harvest Cruise for years, and finally finding a home for it was incredible. It showed me that other people believed in my abilities as a storyteller, too, and they were willing to use their resources to bring my work to life.
Every story acceptance is a milestone to be proud of. I’ve had several short stories and poems published, too, and it’s wonderful to see others appreciate my work and voice.
What role does innovation and creativity play in your work, both in marketing content and fiction writing?
Creativity is everything. I think innovation comes into play more on the marketing side, where you want to stand out. Whereas in fiction, there are certain tropes that people just love to follow. You do have to be creative in figuring out what unique angle sets this apart from others, but ultimately what we create often reflects real experiences—whether they’re our own experiences or not. So I think the real creativity comes from finding a unique perspective.
In your journey as a writer, have you encountered opportunities to promote inclusivity or support diverse voices, either through your storytelling or professional work?
Absolutely. Harvest Cruise features a main character with anxiety, and I loved being able to show the different manifestations of that and how they impact her life. I also have two works in progress that feature strong religious representation, and another that features physical disability. It’s important to me to show how different people relate to the world, and how we’re all pretty similar despite those differences.
Your book, Harvest Cruise, was recognized as a BREW Readers’ Choice Award Book of the Month. What does that recognition mean to you, and how has it influenced your perspective as an author?
That award was such a lovely surprise. It was so rewarding to see that people enjoyed my book so much that they would nominate and award it recognition. As an author, you hope that your work will be well received. Receiving the BREW Readers’ Choice Award Book of the Month was great validation that my work is worth reading and sharing.
Could you describe a particularly challenging project or writing experience and what you learned from it?
One of my current works in progress is very challenging, in that I don’t know what to do in the middle. I have a beginning, and I think I know how it ends; I just don’t know how to get there. For that reason, I haven’t touched that story in months. I wish I could say there’s a lesson there, but maybe the takeaway is that it’s okay to step away from things if you’re not in a position to give it your best energy in that moment. I do intend to get back to it; I’m just not ready yet.
For aspiring writers or professionals juggling multiple roles, what strategies or habits have you found most effective in staying motivated and productive?
Having a set schedule definitely helps when juggling multiple roles. If you create a designated time for each task, you’re more likely to do it. But sometimes you also have to let some balls fall to keep others in the air. My most important job is being a mom. Family comes first, and my job supports my family. Everything else, including creative writing, comes after that. Knowing your priorities and what you’re working for will keep you motivated.
That being said, having a supportive partner, family, or other people in your corner is such an understated advantage. I’m extremely fortunate to have a husband who gives me that time to focus on projects while he takes care of everything else.
If you were to write your bio in your own words, what would you say? What legacy would you like to leave?
Rebecca Benison is a New York–based writer. Her debut novel, Harvest Cruise, was released to critical acclaim, and other work has been featured in a range of publications.
A devoted mother and loving wife, Rebecca credits her family as her main motivation and greatest support.
Outside of writing, Rebecca loves nature and is a proponent of protecting wild spaces. She maintains an organic garden and prioritizes native plants to support local wildlife.
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“Knowing your priorities and what you’re working for will keep you motivated.”
– Rebecca Benison
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