Big 4 Interview: Jonathon K. Benton

Joelene interviews new Australia author Jonathon K. Benton about his novel A Wicked Kind of Dark

1. One of the most striking aspects of your novel is the rich inter-textuality. You allude to a diverse array of writers from Wordsworth to Lewis Carroll and Tolkien. Were these the writers who have influenced you? Or is it your way of introducing young readers to some of the literary greats?

The Lord of the Rings transported me to Middle-earth and kept me there for all of its 1000 + pages. Part of me remains there still. That’s what a great book should do. The literary giants I allude to in A Wicked Kind of Dark inspired and influenced me, both as a writer, and a person. However, if a young person picks up The Lord of the Rings because they’ve read my book, and embarks on the same magical journey that I once went on … that is special too.

 2. You have travelled extensively in Fiji, New Zealand, the UK and Australia. What is it that prompted you to set A Wicked Kind of Dark in the UK? Did something about its atmosphere speak to you?

When I was growing up in New Zealand, I used to dream about travelling to the UK to explore the old castles, and hopefully spot a ghost or two. I might not have met any ghosts when I finally made it there, but I remember lying on the grass about one hundred metres back from Stonehenge and watching the clouds rush across the tops of the ancient monoliths. The past merged with the present. I could almost see the druids performing their bloody rituals.

 3. When writing your debut novel, what did you find the most challenging and why?

A Wicked Kind of Dark began with a ‘what if’, which is the name I use for the powerful idea that inspires the major theme, and drives the plot. I wrote the first draft consumed by the ‘what if’. This led to massive structural issues that needed a lot of care and attention. A bit of planning can save loads of time. I got it right in the end though!

 4.      Which of your fictional characters Burns Brightest in your mind and why?

Luthien. Like the fiery autumn colours that I use to introduce her, Luthien burns brightest in my mind. There’s the old playground saying ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. This is true of Luthien. She’s only small, but she oozes personality, and radiates strength.  I am looking forward to further developing her character in books 2 and 3.

 Read our review of Jonathon’s book here.