TEN WORDS OR FEWER INTERVIEW: Chris Bennett, author of Windslash – The Last Elemental

Chris Bennett, author of Windslash – The Last Elemental, has been invited to take part in TriumphOfTheNow.com‘s “Ten Words or Fewer” interview format!

Read on below!

Q: What is the title of your book?
A: Windslash – The Last Elemental

Q: Why did you choose this title?
A: Windslash is an Elemental Hero I designed for a TCG.

Q: What’s the book about?
A: A Battle Mage who becomes part of the modern world.

Q: Why did you write this book?
A: The idea came to me when I was twenty-one.

Q: And why now?
A: I lost my work which also destroyed my confidence for years.

Q: Who is your favourite character in the book?
A: Timaeus. Because of what he fights for.

Q: Describe the ideal reader of your book.
A: Anyone. Everyone who reads it becomes immediately gripped by it.

Q: What are your politics/values?
A: I’ve never had much interest when it comes to politics.

Q: Why might someone with oppositional politics/values enjoy your book? If they wouldn’t, do you regret that?
A: Everyone’s gripped by it. If not, so be it.

Q: Why do you write, generally?
A: In general. To take my mind off of reality.

Q: Where/how do you write?
A: At home. On my laptop.

Q: As a writer, what is the biggest challenge you face?
A: Everything that comes after publishing a book, not before.

Q: Are you working on any new projects?
A: Yes. I intend to start the second book soon.

Q: What/who do you read?
A: Akira Toriyama, Cassandra Clare, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Oliver Bowden.

Q: Why do you read?
A: Either to escape reality, or to learn.

Q:Where/when you do read?
A: Wherever and whenever. Mostly at night in bed.

Q: What book disappointed you most? Why?
A: Any book that contradicts a story.

Q: How do you relax?
A: Model Kits, Music, Naps, Puzzles, Video Games, Walks.

Q: Are we alone in the universe?
A: No.

Q: Do you listen to music?
A: Yes. Too many artists to go through.

Q: What differentiates us from the animals?
A: The thing that differentiates humans and animals is our natures.

Q: Do you have a mantra? If willing, please share.
A: People told me I couldn’t, so I did.

Q: What is your preferred breakfast – something you could have every day?
A: Cereal.

Q: What’s the highest altitude you’ve been to on land? (i.e. not in a plane)
A: Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Q: What’s the largest animal you’ve seen running free?
A: I don’t know.

Q: Which film/movie[s] from the past five years do you think will be future classics?
A: Hard to say. Too many to choose from.

Q: Do you have any pets? Why/why not?
A: Two cats. Adopted when they needed a home.

Q: Where is somewhere you’ve been to that you will never return to? Why?
A: I honestly cannot think of anywhere.

Q: When was the last time you climbed a tree?
A: Last May.

Q: How often do you swim?
A: Never. Not since I was diagnosed with Epilepsy.

Q: What happened the last time you went on a first date?
A: Never been on one.

Q: What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
A: Finishing my book.

Q: Would you relive your life as a spectator if you could?
A: No.

Q: What is “cool”?
A: Something that you’re impressed by.

Q: Do you like routine or spontaneity?
A: Both. Depends on the circumstances.

Q: What do you need to thrive?
A: Things I enjoy. As a writer, inspiration.

Q: What do you need to survive?
A: Same as above. Medically, insulin.

Q: How do you nourish yourself on a psychological level?
A: Writing.

Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Humour.

Q: What makes you cry?
A: Emotion.

Q: Do you have a favourite place? Where is it?
A: To be honest. I don’t have one.

Q: What don’t you eat?
A: Mostly foods high in sugar. I’m diabetic.

Q: How did your oldest friendship begin?
A: Childhood. As young as three years old.

Q: What is a soul?
A: The spiritual part of us that determines who we are.

Q: Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? If yes, where to?
A: No.

Q: Are you trained in first aid?
A: No.

Q: Have you ever written any songs? If yes, describe your sound.
A: Not written. More rewritten. Same rhyming tone, different lyrics.

Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve personally destroyed?
A: My manuscript when I was originally writing it.

Q: What are your weekend plans? Are these typical?
A: Depends on the circumstances.

Q: Have you ever seen a monkey in the wild? If yes, where were you?
A: No.

Q: Describe your hairstyle.
A: Dark Brown.

Q: What’s your favourite item of clothing?
A: Jacket.

Q: If you could meet a historical figure for a chat over a beverage, who would it be and why? And what would the beverage be?
A: Too many to think of. Not enough beverages.

Q: What is the scariest thing?
A: Too many to mention.

Q: What’s the most painful meal you’ve had?
A: Anything that has made me ill.

Q: How many close friends do you have?
A: A few.

Q: What makes a “close friend” close?
A: Trust.

Q: Where is somewhere you could go every day?
A: Can’t think of anywhere.

Q: How often do you buy groceries?
A: Once every week.

Q: What’s the most popular thing that you don’t enjoy?
A: Football. Except during World Cups.

Q: What’s the most unpopular thing that you do enjoy?
A: I can’t think of anything.

Q: What’s one skill you wish was taught in schools that isn’t?
A: Common Sense.

Q: What’s the best museum, gallery or historical monument you’ve ever visited?
A: Natural History and Science Museums in London. Like to learn.

Q: What was the most important invention of the last 100 years?
A: Anything that has improved medical science and improved global health.

Q: Would you like to suggest a new question for future interviewees?
A: Can’t think of one.

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Windslash – The Last Elemental is available now via this link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Windslash-Last-Elemental-Chris-Bennett/dp/1836152817/

Bio from Chris Bennett:
I was born and raised in the small town of Fakenham, Norfolk, UK where I have lived all my life.

Growing up wasn’t easy. I started having Epileptic Seizures when I was 14, and I wasn’t properly diagnosed until I was 18. I spent 4 years not knowing what the hell was happening to me, and because I wasn’t on the floor and my body wasn’t shaking nobody knew what was happening to me if one were to come on. I’d just finished my Intermediate Contruction Award, but being diagnosed with Epilepsy meant I couldn’t learn to drive without going a certain amount of time without having a seizure which still hasn’t happened to this day. Plus, I couldn’t work on construction sites. I went to college for another year doing an IT Course which didn’t go so well because it was stressful which brought on more seizures, and I wasn’t interested in an IT Career. I spent the next year looking for work whilst living on benefits, but to no avail. I joined my local gym, and joined its MMA Class where my instructor who is a long-time friend offered me a voluntary job at the gym, but I got free gym membership and MMA Classes.

Yet no matter what life threw at me, I wouldn’t let it keep me down. One thing that has always helped me do that is my imagination and creating stories. Whether it was something that came to mind from my surroundings, a side-story of something that had already been written, or a way to improve a story. When I was 21 I started writing my own story, unfortunately the laptop I was writing it on got damaged and I was only able to salvage so much of it which destroyed my confidence, and it got put aside. However, I still kept imagining and creating ideas for it.

Last year my instructor and I were talking, he was giving me one of those pep talks. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? So, he convinced me to finish it. I managed to rebuild what I’d lost, then continued the story, and I finished it in November last year.

I sent it to Literary Agents and Publishers, but none of them were interested, I only got offers from Hybrid Publishers which didn’t interest me, so I decided to Self-Publish.

My book has been 13 years in the making. Soon, I will be getting to work on my next one, and the ones after that.

“Ten Words or Fewer” gives writers (novelists, poets, essayists, playwrights, screenwriters, anyone writing anything else) the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work. If interested in taking part, email triumphofthenow@gmail.com for more details.

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