1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I collect all kinds of fountain pens and dip pens, which are those old-timey pens that you dip into bottles of ink.2. What is your nickname?
My dad used to call me JK.
3. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is your greatest fear?
I’m pretty nervous on airplanes.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Funny focus on how ridiculous the real world can be.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
I might like to be Batman, because I like the idea of fighting for justice.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go back to 1970 and tell my younger self to get ready for computers and the internet.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
'Wow, I get to draw all the time for a living? Cool. Hey what happened to my hair? Why am I bald?'
9. Who is your greatest influence?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Probably my Dad. I always liked making him laugh.
10. What/who made you start writing?
10. What/who made you start writing?
I wrote my first book series, Franny K Stein, for my daughter, because she liked creepy, spooky stuff.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Wow! I’ve heard that there may be a million to choose from. How can I pick just one? This morning I used the word 'chanklings' in a sentence. It’s the chewed-up or rejected scraps of food left on somebody’s plate when they’re done eating. I don’t know if that’s my favorite, but that’s my favorite one today.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Anything by PG Wodehouse, or maybe A Confederacy of Dunces (John Kennedy Toole).
Jim Benton is an award-winning author and artist. You may know some of the things he's created, like It's Happy Bunny, Dear Dumb Diary, Franny K Stein, Victor Shmud, and The Handbook. He's developed a television series, designed clothing, written books, and produced a movie. You can find him online at www.jimbenton.com.
