Author Interview with the Fabulous Flossie Benton
Rogers
Let's get you
introduced to everyone, shall we? Were you named after someone special?
Hi,
Loretta and readers! Thanks for these wonderful questions. I’m Flossie Benton
Rogers. My parents named me Flossie after my paternal grandmother, with Irene
as a middle name after my mother. Serendipitously, my grandmother’s name was
Flossie Pearl Benton, and my lovely daughter-in-law’s middle name is also
Pearl.
Where are you from?
I’m
a 5th generation native Floridian from both maternal and paternal
lines. My 6th great grandfather on my mother’s side came from the
Carolinas in the early 1800s and settled in Columbia County (now Baker). He and
his son are both designated Florida pioneers.
My
father’s family did the same, settling in Columbia County before moving south
to Polk County.
Tell us a little about yourself (i.e. your education, family life, travel, pets, hobbies, etc.).
My son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons (my
Snickerdoodles) bring sunshine to my life each and every day. Seven years ago I
lost my husband, the love of my life and most enthusiastic writing supporter.
Today my writing buddy is a beautiful feline fur fae named Marigold.
I have a Master’s in Library Science, and
Bachelor’s in Literature and Education. Besides writing and family time, I
enjoy crochet, reading, and planning dream trips to Norway, Ireland, and
Scotland. Some of the trips involve time travel.
When and why did you begin writing?
The
writing bug bit me at age eight when I began dictating fairy tales to my
sitter. Throughout the years I continued to write poetry and novels, but the
real passion to actually get published took hold when I retired from my library
career.
What genre do you write?
I
am published in fantasy romance, have written historical romance, and currently
am working on cozy mysteries.
How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?
Fantasy Romance – Regarding the fantasy aspect, a passion for mythology and fairy tales traces back to preschool years when my grandmother read to me every day from a wonderful set of classics called Young Folks Library. As for the romance aspect, the third Harlequin I read was Red Diamond by Dorothy Cork, and it is still my favorite. There is a point in a good romance when your stomach flies up to your heart. In recent years I formed an appreciation for the urban fantasy genre. I consider my Wytchfae series to be urban fantasy with a happy ending.
Historicals – I love history and almost majored in it but luckily realized it’s the romantic and imaginative parts I love the best.
Cozy Mystery – My favorite go to books are cozies. I grew up on Nancy Drew and, later, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, and my favorite—Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe mysteries.
How did you come up with the titles for
your books?
I
coined the series title Wytchfae (pronounced
“witch-fay”) because of the main characters. They have fae or fairy blood and
also undergo witchy training such as guiding dead souls or managing the energy
in a ritual circle. Wytchfae is also the parallel dimension where all sorts of
supernatural beings exist in close proximity to us.
The
individual book titles came to me as descriptive of a story’s contents. For
example, when writing the story of the goddess Epona and her powerful lover
Eshigel, I remember thinking: “Eshigel, to stay out of trouble you need to
‘mind your manners’ and ‘mind your p’s and q’s’, heck—just Mind Your Goddess.” But mind also has a different, softer
meaning, as in ‘care for’ and Eshigel always cares deeply for Epona. He even
goes to the literal depths of hell for her sake.
A combination of both. I began as the latter and then began to incorporate plotting when I realized it saves time during revision and can also be fun.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
The spewing up of the actual words of the first rough draft is the hardest for me. I’m sure I need to buy butt glue by the gallons, but there is resistance with the early draft that can make my stomach hollow and queasy. After all, it is giving birth.
What’s the best thing about being an author?
As an author you’re never fully satisfied with your work. After it’s done and time passes, though, and you go back and reread what you’ve written, it seems magical somehow. Where did those pages come from? It seems as if there’s no way you could have written that. Not that it’s the best. Not that you’re patting yourself on the back. It’s more like you’re thanking the muses for the honor of allowing you to dance with them.
Do you have a blog or website readers
can visit for updates, events and special offers?
I
encourage everyone to check out my website at http://flossiebentonrogers.com. Each week I
share excerpts from works in progress and also blog on various topics. Join my
newsletter list for tons of special freebies and goodies.
~Tune
in again tomorrow to learn more about the fabulous Flossie Benton Rogers and
the opportunity to ask her a question~
How awesome to be able to trace your ancestors back six generations! No wonder your interest lies in Historical Romance. Can't wait to learn more about you.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, Linda. I probably am drawn to historical romance for that reason-- and to late night forays on genealogy programs lol. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments.
DeleteReally enjoyed the interview. I'm trying to work on my geneology right now. Can't wait to read more, Flossie. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Cindy. Genealogy is such fun, and boy does the time fly when you are into it. I hope all your antique clocks don't chime at you to tell you to call it a night just when you are finding out good family history. Thank you for the lovely compliment. You are the amazing one!
DeleteAwesome interview and thanks for the shout out. Love the family history (as another Florida native). Also love the dreams of those trips!! (Let’s Go!). Signed, devoted daughter-in-law
ReplyDeleteDear Devoted Daughter-in-Law,
DeleteI'm ready when you are. Love you bunches!!!!!
What a wonderfully expressive interview! I am right there with you on the rough draft-talk about ants in my pants! Well done, Flossie,
ReplyDeleteFantastic interview!
ReplyDelete