Brittany is a special needs mother and a law enforcement wife. She manages a poetry blogging website by writing poems for adults and children for the public at no charge and writes for Hubpages. When Brittany is not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and walks on the beach. Brittany is currently working on a picture book about children with autism spectrum disorder.

Describe yourself in five words. Introverted, creative, motherly, shy, simple

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? 

I have a gene that can cause autism and other disabilities that I passed onto my son (who is autistic).

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? 

This is a challenging one for me. I’ve always struggled with self-confidence. I tell myself to take everything one step at a time.

What scares you the most? 

Being rejected and alone. As a writer, these are silly fears. Rejection is part of the business world.

What makes you happiest? 

Being in the mountains and near the water.

Why do you write?

I enjoy creating stories, and writing helps me to express myself in a positive way with other people. I’m not a big talker, so writing comes naturally.

Have you always enjoyed writing? 

Yes. However, when I was a child, I wanted to persue a career in music.

What motivates you to write? 

My family, experience, and inner creative juices.

What writing are you most proud of? .

My poetry collection, “Poetic Poetry: A Short Collection of Poems”

What are you most proud of in your personal life? 

My immediate family. They help me through everything.

What books did you love growing up? 

I read a lot of self-help spiritual books. I think personal growth is important no matter what career you choose.

What do you hope your obituary will say about you? 

Brittany was a special needs mother and writer who was loved by her friends and family.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live? 

I grew up in the city (Dallas, TX). I now live near a beach town in South Carolina. I think the simple paced life helps me to slow down and think of possible story ideas. The view of the ocean helps, too.

How did you develop your writing?

I started writing on a poetry blog. I eventually decided to self-publish a poetry collection and start submitting work to online magazines. I’ve even written a children’s picture book, which I plan on submitting to literary agents soon.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? 

Marketing has always been the most time consuming, and having a special needs kid makes it challenging to put effort into that.

What marketing works for you? 

I typically use social media or paid gigs.

Do you find it hard to share your work? 

I used to, but now I find it easy to share my work not that I have somewhat of an audience.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? 

Absolutely! I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.

What else do you do, other than write? 

I enjoy reading, going to church, and taking walks on the beach.

What other jobs have you had in your life? 

I’ve worked for a day-care center and have been in retail.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick? 

Creative Writing

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? 

The North Carolilna Mountains

Tell us about your family? 

My husband is a patrol officer, my daughter is in middle school who takes honors classes, and my son is three who is on the spectrum.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? 

Usually my laptop, but sometimes I use our personal computer.

How much sleep do you need to be your best? 

I do best with at least seven hours of sleep. However, my son does not always sleep well. There are many days where I feel like we’re still in the baby stage because of his needs.

Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? 

My friend, Jeff, who has helped me format my poetry collection.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? 

I’m proud of the small accomplishments I’ve made, but I’m looking forward to seeing if I can get traditionally published.

It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign? 

Again, marketing isn’t my forte. I feel it’s important to have the right niche so people will be naturally drawn to what I write.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?  

I initially wrote it as a hobby, but the more writers I connected with, the more I realized I could self-publish my work. I wanted to become a part of that community.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? 

Jesus and my old friend who passed in a car wreck.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? 

On the couch with a good book and a cup of coffee.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

I’m hoping the reader will feel everything that I write and take that with them. I also love showing imagery so the reader can visualize the scene I am writing. I enjoy presenting realistic situations and giving the reader a positive outlook.

https://brittanybenko.wixsite.com/booksbybrittany (Author Website)

https://brittanybenko.wixsite.com/poeticpoetry (Poetry Blogging Website)

https://hubpages.com/@brittanybenko (Hubpages)