Blogfest 2009 » Bendinger Jessica

Jessica Bendinger on “How do you feel about stuff like sex scenes in books? Inappropriate or okay?”

Bendinger Jessica — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:00:31 +0000

When I was younger, I certainly learned a lot about sex by reading books with sex scenes in them. Every reader is different, and everyone has a different level of maturity in terms of what appeals or doesn’t appeal to them as they grow older. What was disgusting to me at nine years old was fascinating to me at eleven! My friends and I enjoyed sneaking peeks at more adult material when we were kids. We were way too self-conscious and embarrassed to ask our parents about sex, so books made it easier to learn about things we were mortified to discuss with adults. I enjoy a great romantic scene or well-written love scene. It doesn’t have to be graphic, but it has to have the excitement and energy that we are all longing for when it comes to intimate connection. So I say sex scenes are okay if they are age-appropriate! It’s a natural part of life and an exciting part of the transition into adulthood.

Jessica Bendinger on “What hobbies do you have?”

Bendinger Jessica — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:00:14 +0000

I adore music and metaphysics. I’ve been an avid music lover since I was a kid. I have enjoyed learning about astrology and psychic phenomena since I was a teenager. And I love to dance. I can definitely dance it out when necessary.

Jessica Bendinger on “Have you ever just wanted to give up?”

Bendinger Jessica — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:00:28 +0000

Of course! Writing can be very isolating and it’s important to find places to get discerning feedback. Discouraging criticism has made me want to give up a few times, but then I just use it to fuel my efforts. Not everyone is going to like your stuff. That was a hard truth to metabolize for me.

Jessica Bendinger on “How has writing affected your daily life?”

Bendinger Jessica — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:16 +0000

Writing is hard on the body. I find myself constantly countering the Hunchback of Notre Dame syndrome in various ways. I have dogs, which gets me off my butt and out in the world and that’s an amazing gift when you are stuck at a computer. Writing has turned me into an avid snacker and coffee drinker. There is a reward system I build into my writing routine that has definitely impacted my waistline, at times. It’s hard to be sedentary for long periods of time and eat whatever you want! Boo! I wish I could get that law changed, for sure.

Jessica Bendinger on “If you could have any super power, what would it be?”

Bendinger Jessica — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:00:42 +0000

If I could have any superpower, I would want to ability to get inside any living thing and inhabit their body and their life at will, at any moment…with all the skill sets they possess. I would want to be able to feel someone’s life to the core and really inhabit their being for a moment or a while, and take that insight back into my own life.

Jessica Bendinger on “What made you start writing?”

Bendinger Jessica — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:30:19 +0000

I started writing because I loved books and making up stories. I used to love to tell tall tales as a kid and felt like I was doing a performance for an audience. I’d push the limits and see how far I could go before an adult would bust me for lying. My mother used to warn me about this with the cautionary tale, “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” all the time. It was her attempt to properly socialize my wild imagination. In writing, I found a healthy outlet for my creativity. But not before my nose grew to extreme lengths. As a result, I will be using my Pinocchio shnoz at book signings. Please don’t make fun of it.