VOL. ONE:
​INTERVIEW WITH WITH BENNIE S. ALAN



BIO: Bennie S. Alan is a 22-year-old writer and thinker. He co-authored Chronicles of Dark Days, a published book focusing on pain, endurance, torment, and so on. He started writing at an early age and served as a featured poet in many anthologies: Voices of Revolution, Africa Weeps No More, Candles of Hope, The Mirror, and The Discovery. Additionally, he received the highest vote among international writers from Ava’s publisher.

 
Amin: Hello Bennie. I’m happy that you have accepted to have this interview. I’m looking forward to a wonderful conversation as we go along

Bennie: Thank you so much, Amin. I’m happy to sit for this interview as well. 

Amin: So strictly speaking, I’m aware of the book you co-authored, Chronicles of Dark Days. What was the journey like from the initial idea to getting your book published?

Bennie: It was a bit tough, Amin. But I love challenges. Our first attempt was not successful but I believe that failure is a success in progress. We didn’t give up after our failed attempt, but we took a break, breathed, strategized, and bounced back. Fortunately, our second attempt brought us to publication. There is much to say about Chronicles of Dark Days but I will stop here for now.

Amin: Sure. You will have many chances to say more about the book as we go further. Can you tell me a bit about what inspired you to write?

Bennie: Amin, my life alone is an inspiration. The world is an inspiration. Nature seems to be a great inspiration. Most of the words and ideas flow smoothly with no interruption. Sometimes, I create topics and write about them. Some days there were pauses and continues in some of my works. Christian Johns is a brilliant brother. He is an inspiration to me, too. When we usually sit and discuss, his output inspires me a lot. Some of his sayings have deep meaning. Sometimes, he gives me extraordinary titles and themes.

Amin: That’s great. Now, given  how the literary setting is in Liberia, I think becoming a published author here comes with many challenges. From this background, did you encounter any obstacles during the publishing process, and if so, how did you navigate them?

Bennie: Yes, I did. Remember, we had a failed attempt first. Some causes were lack of finance or maybe we had little finance but didn’t utilize it well and later we ran out of it. Another cause could be a lack of proper planning. I learned lessons from our first attempt. My biggest worry was getting the book printed. Once it was printed, I knew everything else could be done with caution.

Amin: After encountering those challenges, what advice would you give to aspiring authors who are working on their first book?

Bennie: I will advise them to do proper planning and make sure to present quality work to the readers. Quality work can never be trashed and it will live for many generations. But I believe that no work of art is bad. They are all unique in their own way.

Amin: Somehow, we all have favorite authors and in a way, they tend to influence the way we write. So,  were there any authors or books that influenced your writing style or approach?

Bennie: Yes, Bai T. Moore is very influential in my poetry writing. I read a few African literary giants who were inspirational to me, and I was really inspired by an African anthology featuring almost all of the greatest African poets, including Bai T. Moore and Kona Khasu. A few comrades with whom I have interacted have said that I write like Walt Whitman. He is also one of my best. 

Amin: Yes, the likes of Bai T. Moore, Kona Khasu, and Patricia Jabbeh Wesley are great poets and authors that emerging writers in Liberia can look up to. The next question is, what do you hope  readers will take away from your book?

Bennie: I hope that readers will understand that, no matter what, we can all be free from the chains. We can all see the light. We can reach the dawn. Even when the night is too dark and the moon is gone, you can light your own light. No matter what, we can all be free from the chains. We can break the cage. We will see the morning and the rising of the sun. Our lives can be bright again. The dark days are there to fortify us.

Amin: Exactly. I was able to read the book. It explores themes of hope, mystery and more. So is there a specific theme or message in the book that you feel particularly passionate about?

Bennie: Yes, endurance. When the night fell, we felt so much pain. But disembarking was never an option for us because a great mind is willing to endure when he is really aiming at something mighty. Actually, the book reveals something deep for reader to peruse and learn. You just have to peruse it, look deep, and feel those emotional works.


Amin: Finally, what’s next for you as an author? Are you working on any new projects?

Bennie: I can’t tell, Amin. I am still waiting on Jah for direction. He alone leads and I follow. All praise goes to him.

Amin: Okay. I hope you find the direction you need to give us another of your works of art. Thanks for giving us this interview. 



​BIO: Aminata Talawally is an emerging writer. She is one of the Co-authors of the anthology Speaking Truth to Power, published by the International Human Rights Art Festival in New York, NY, and an author of the short story titled Breathless at the Alter published in STRIPES LITERARY MAGAZINE Issue 3: Volume 1