Don’t Listen to Yoda - a conversation with YA author Mark Benson

What do you do when your superpower is writing sadness? Lean in! I had the delightful opportunity to talk with Chicagoan Mark Benson after reading his debut YA novel Isaac and the Sky. This novel is an exploration of the stars and grief, bridging together two worlds with the  telescope of Isaac’s murdered mother. It’s a novel full of authentic and imperfect characters that will keep you wondering if Isaac and Halley can ever escape their loss or if, like a black hole, they will get sucked into it. Mark likes Disney, NASA, talking about writing, Broadway musicals, animals, and Shakespeare - we are now best friends (he just doesn’t know it yet). We discuss NASA legends (two of whom he KNOWS) and how his life experiences have impacted his writing. In this episode, Mark gives us some important advice about writing (he’s written 12 - or maybe 13 - books–you know it’s impressive when you’ve lost count), tells us about his process (which is amazing and a method I have never heard of before), and talks about how to make important connections with other writers. Who else will understand when your characters mutiny? We discuss the publishing industry and the complexities within, which is important for every aspiring author to understand. He also explains why we should NEVER take advice from Yoda. This is a conversation you are not going to want to miss. The arts are under attack, and buying theater tickets and books is a great way to show your support and fight back. Buy Isaac and the Sky and follow Mark Benson on Instagram: waysidewriter Buy Tickets for OSP’s: How to Write a Regency RomancePLEASE SUBSCRIBE! ⁠www.theshakespeareanshrew.com⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@ShakespeareanShrew Please follow us on Instagram: @theshakespeareanshrewTikTok: @theshakespeareanshrewThe new season of shows for OSP is available ⁠here!⁠ Please donate to OSP: ⁠https://www.okshakes.org/donate⁠ Thank you for listening!Host/Shakespearean Shrew: Karen FeinerCo-Creator/Brew Shrew: Michelle CoffmanCover Art Creator/Artistic Shrew: Katie Kimberling ⁠⁠⁠www.halfmaverick.com⁠⁠⁠Intro/Outro Music: “Tangled”  by Nihilore: Creative Commons MusicThank you to our guest, Mark Benson Mark Benson grew up in Chicago’s south suburbs before heading to Marquette University, with the hopes of becoming a doctor. Turns out, he’s no good at the medical sciences.He became an English major, fell in love with writing and editing, and has been doing both ever since. After a couple decades running the family business — the World’s Largest Laundromat in Berwyn — he decided to bet on himself: he’s now a travel advisor specializing in Disney vacations and a restaurant host. But despite multiple career paths (including as a USPTA tennis instructor and a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador), he’s always found his way back to writing.He’s passionate about emotional stories, and loves writing novels and stage plays. Check out all of his books.Today, he lives with his wife and kids in Forest Park, Ill.