Bennett Madison Interview

After I reviewed Bennett's book THE BLONDE OF THE JOKE, I asked him a few questions--sadly due to my busy schedule it was pushed deep into my inbox. I give you that interview now, my apologies to Mr. Madison. :p

Where did the idea of the book come from?

I don't really know where the idea for the book came from. I think it just came from my interests. I'm really into shoplifting and I'm really into girls with crazy hair.

How long did it take you to complete the book?

It took about a year and a half from the start of writing to finish this book. But it was originally a short story that I had sort of been tinkering with for years, so I don't really know the answer.

Did you listen to music when writing this book?

I listened to a lot of Bronski Beat/Communards/Jimmy Somerville while writing this book. Also the Go-Betweens, New Order, Prince. I don't remember what else. I tried to listen to music I thought Francie would like.

Do you have any writing advice for aspiring writers?

My advice to aspiring writers is to be both fearless and shameless.

What is your next project and when will it be in our hands?

My next project should be out sometime next year. It doesn't have an official name yet but the working title is RAPTURE OF THE DEEP.

Catch Bennett on his website here.

REVIEW: The Blonde Of The Joke - Bennett Madison

Blonde of The Joke

Bennett Madison

4/5

The Blonde of the Joke centers around a very unique character named Val. She seems fairly normal at the beginning of the book--a teenager trying to blend into the walls. But as the book progresses Val becomes a very complex person.

She has her own issues to deal with blending into the walls and all, things get out of control when Francie pops into her life.

Francie has a talent--a talent for thievery. Francie slowly sucks Val into her dark world and soon the two girls inspire to steal everything in the world.

I really enjoyed this book, some pieces dragged along but were needed to tell the story. I would not change anything about the novel and the thought that Madison had put into the book is amazing, with one simple line he can cause a characters life to crumble. I give the book a four out of five because the ending seemed rushed and didn't make sense to me--but maybe that was just part of the joke.

Bennett's Website - Buy The Blonde of the Joke @ IndieBound

Reading Wednesday: The Blonde of the Joke - Bennett Madison

I received a galley of The Blonde of the Joke before I left for Book Expo--I'm now reading it. I have not read much of it, But I am loving it this far!

I decided it was time to put down the BEA books and jump into my "To Be Read Pile" -- Poor Bennett, I'm sure I bugged him to death about this book.

I'm glad I cam across it again so I could jump into it--expect a review soon! : )

What people are saying about the book:

"A delightfully wicked book—a supersexy celebration of good girls gone bad, and a haunting ode to teenage rebellion." -- James St. James, author of Freak Show

"The Blonde of the Joke turns a dull suburban landscape into a mythical place, full of treasure, inner demons, and transformations. Bennett Madison is one of the best YA writers around and this is his sharpest book to date." -- Maureen Johnson, author of Suite Scarlett and 13 Little Blue Envelopes

"This wickedly funny novel has it all—style, depth, bite, and a punch line you won’t be able to forget." -- Sarah Mlynowski, co-author of How to be Bad