Meet author Joan Benson

Joan Benson is a wife, a mom to four adult married children, and a grandmom to eight wonderful people. She was an educator/reading specialist and pursuant to that, she wrote for educational publishing companies for many years. Joan’s energies today are spent writing and sharing God’s truth in a women’s speaking group. Her debut historical fiction novel was released in 2020 with another fiction novel in development now.

She co-authored a series of four children’s picture books with Marjorie Wingert in 2022. They call the four books The Cornerstone Concepts for Kids because they teach important truths about culture and life from a biblical perspective. The first book was released in March of 2023 by Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. God’s ABCs, addresses gender identity by affirming God’s meaningful intent, plans, and purposes for each child. It recently was awarded an Honorable Mention for Children’s Fiction in the 2023 Golden Scrolls Award.

Tell us about your newest book:

God’s Human Race addresses diversity in America from God’s point of view as seen in scripture. God’s Human Race presents an understanding of God’s love for all of mankind, no matter what color their skin may be. God’s plan is for all races to uplift and complement the other, not to compete, accuse, or attack. The goal of this story is for young children to embrace and celebrate the higher plan of Creator God before cultural racial division indoctrinates them.

What inspired you to write The Cornerstone Series for Children?

My co-author (Marjorie Wingert) and I spoke at our local school board meeting in the summer of 2021 concerning the teaching of gender fluidity and Critical Race Theory in schools. As a result, we started writing age-appropriate God-concepts to help pre-schoolers learn biblical truth prior to cultural indoctrination.

How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?

In this rhyming story, readers discover the beauty of our collective differences. The biblical analogy of the Body of Christ and its integrated parts expresses how humans of various races should view each other, not as one better than the other, but as needing each other. God’s Human Race builds an understanding of God’s love for all of mankind, no matter what color their skin may be. God’s plan is for all races to uplift and complement the other, not to compete, accuse, or attack.

What genre do you focus on?

I have not stayed in one genre to create a brand like I have been advised for marketing purposes. I’ve written with a passion in my heart to tell the stories God has given me. His Gift is historical fiction based on a true conflict in my mom’s life growing up at the onset of The Great Depression. A young musician’s hopes and dreams are dashed by circumstances much larger than she can control. The eternal question remains when our dreams are snatched, how do we find hope and peace? My current fiction novel is about a young woman who faces her fate after a moral lapse. Should she decide a path forward that hides her guilt to protect her loved ones from shame, or should she confront her failure and acknowledge her consequences?

Why do you write?

I write because I believe all of us struggle with our walks of faith from time to time, and I want to inspire and equip Christians with biblical truth. As for the children’s books, I believe Christian parents need all the resources they can gather to protect their little ones. The negative influences of the current culture are targeting our youngest children – in library books, movies supposedly for children’s entertainment, public education, etc. I believe parents need to arm their babies and preschoolers, even before they are old enough to fully comprehend scripture. They are not old enough to “put on the armor of God” for themselves, so their loving adults must put it on for them. In the least, the children will recognize a dissonance between God’s Truth and false ideologies.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?

I try to designate a workable time each day in which I can devote my attention to working on the project at hand. I also do some contract writing which helps fund my inspirational writing! I always start the day in God’s Word and prayer with my husband. Without that, I am nothing.

What is the hardest part of being an author?

Self-discipline. Others around me don’t grasp my world, and they wonder why I am not freer, given my age and stage in life as a grandparent. My life is a “mystery” to most.

What’s the best part of your author’s life?

I love working from home with a purpose to further God’s Kingdom on Earth. I can think of nothing better than hearing God’s calling and being able to walk in it.

What’s one thing your readers should know about you?

According to the Myers-Briggs personality/temperament test, I fall into a rare “type.” Supposedly my personality occurs in just 2 percent of the population. However, I am told I have a strong intuition, ability to listen, and much compassion. I will add to that list my emotional memory is acute. I believe I can vividly recall emotions from my previous experiences thereby equipping me to write realistically.

How have you changed or grown as a writer?

I am growing in confidence that I am doing God’s will. I’m able to identify as an author without fear. I believe I have stories to write that will help others.

What is your favorite pastime?

Music, reading, creating anything beautiful including handwork.

What are you working on now? Eva’s Truth, the novel I mentioned above.

Website: https://www.joancbenson.com

Link to God’s ABCs:

https://www.amazon.com/Gods-ABCs-Joan-C-Benson/dp/1649498519/ref

https://www.christianbook.com/gods-abcs/9781649498502/pd/498507?event=AAI

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gods-abcs-joan-c-benson/1143212462?ean=9781649498502

A Parent/Child Devotional for God’s ABCs:

https://www.amazon.com/Parent-Child-Devotional-Accompany-Gods/dp/B0BZ6MMP3S/ref

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-gift-joan-c-benson/1137413827?ean=9781649490308

Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/YIHAVEHOPE