The Harvest’s KB Benson – Author Interview


Sometimes the most beautiful things grow in darkness.

Iris never expected to live her life trapped on land. Nor was she prepared for what she would find there. A siren isn’t supposed to fall in love with her prey.

When Jace moved to Santa Cruz, he never imagined he’d risk his life to protect a monster. He soon finds that ancient myth has become reality. And not every pretty face is what it seems.

After Iris sings her siren’s song to Jace — a hypnotic melody that leads men to death beneath the waves — both of their worlds are turned upside down. Will Iris give in to her bloodlust or will she turn her back on everything she’s ever known?

As the tide runs red with the blood of the Harvest, Iris must choose: save the life of the human boy she loves or sacrifice her chance at humanity forever.

Author: KB Benson
Series: Call of the Siren series
Publisher: Undaunted Publishing, Inc.
Publication Date: February 21, 2019

About the Author

KB is the author of the 2019 release Call of the Sirens trilogy. Absolutely in love with her family, KB can never say no to a chocolate brownie (or any dessert for that matter) and enjoys taking afternoon naps. She’s a huge advocate for following your dreams and making them come true.

A convicted sleepwalker, highlighter collector, and compulsive list-maker, KB writes Clean YA Fantasy. Before an author, KB is a busy stay-at-home mom who loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and Golden Retriever. When she’s not writing, she’s usually trying to keep up with her baby girl.

Interview

  1. What was your inspiration for the Harvest?

I first thought of the idea while listening to Imagine Dragons’ Radioactive. Most of my book ideas come from daydreaming during long showers, long car rides, or any other chunk of time where I can sit and just listen to music. Every time I listened to Radioactive, I envisioned the same scene over and over in my head. The scene that became the climax of The Harvest. A tumultuous ocean. Screams filling the air. A bloodbath. (I am a nice person, I swear!).

  1. What is your earliest memory of art?

Art has actually always been a part of my life. When I was really little–like elementary school age–my twin sister and I would draw anything and everything. Sometimes we’d draw pictures of the imaginary game we were playing, other times we’d pause a movie and try to draw one of the characters. As I started to get more of an interest in writing, I would also draw the illustrations to go along with my stories.

  1. What is your plotting/writing method?

I am definitely a hybrid outliner and “pantser”. When I first wrote The Harvest, all I knew that I wanted to happen was the climax (a little scary) and the first kiss scene (swoon-worthy, of course!). I plotted those two scenes and then just started writing. It took me six years to finish The Harvest.

Since then, I’ve developed a love for detailed outlining so that nothing can stop me once I’m in the writing zone especially writer’s block! Despite whatever details go into my outline, though, I absolutely plan on changing at least half of it as I rewrite and revise, rewrite and revise, and rewrite and revise. And rewrite and revise. Sometimes it feels like it never ends!

One of the hardest parts of writing is getting the entire story down on the page. It’s easy to get hung up on details or plot holes while writing that first draft and, for a lot of writers, that can cause a roadblock that distracts them from ever finishing. Even if you’ve got to rewrite your book nine times (like I did with The Harrowing, Book 3), just get it down on the page.

  1. Dream cast for Iris and Jace?

It took me a while to decide on an actress that could fit Iris. I wrote her character without ever looking for inspiration because I wanted readers to be able to relate to her in whatsoever way they think she looks. I think Phoebe Tonkin would be a great fit, though. And Jace. Ahh, I found the perfect actor (or model) for him but, for the life of me, I have no idea who he is.

  1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

As I mentioned earlier, I started writing when I was really young like elementary school age. I used to write spooky stories that I’d share with my family. It wasn’t until high school that I developed the desire to write and publish a full-length novel.

I hope we have some Twilight fans here! When I was a teenager, I was HUGE into Twilight. Like, it took over my life for my junior year. When I finished the series, I started looking for the next book to transport me to another world as well as that one did. But I couldn’t find it. After looking for a while, I decided to just write my own.

  1. Do you have a novel playlist?

Absolutely! It’s mostly filled with Imagine Dragons and Of Monsters and Men songs. A few of the others are Where is my mind by Maxence Cyrin, Irish Rain by Michele McLaughlin, and Sleepsong by Secret Garden.

  1. If you could live in a fantasy world where would it be? Why?

It may be obvious, but the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’m in love with the movies. I’m in love with the books. But mostly, I’m in love with the magic. My husband and I went to Harry Potter World in Florida a few years ago and I genuinely never wanted to come back to reality. If I could be a witch and visit the real Hogsmeade, life would be complete.

  1. What is your favorite myth about mermaids/sirens?

My favorite siren myth is Odysseus’ story from The Iliad and the Odyssey. In fact, I even include this myth as part of my main character’s history.

  1. Favorite mermaid/siren movie?

Definitely Pirates of the Caribbean. The Little Mermaid is full of too sweet mermaids. Those in Pirates fit better with the picture I have–and tried to present in the Call of the Sirens trilogy–of sirens who are these beautiful creatures who wreak of innocence but are diabolical murderers and monsters at heart.

  1. What book(s) are you reading right now?

I just finished reading Mary Weber’s new release, To Best the Boys. It was amazing! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a refreshing story. Now I’m just about to start reading Rules by Leisa Wallace.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *