VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

Lori Benton, author of the acclaimed Burning Sky , was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. When she isn’t writing, Lori enjoys exploring beautiful Oregon with her husband. VS: What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Lori: Finding balance isn’t as much of an issue for me as it can be for writers who have an additional day job apart from writing, or who have children. My hat is off to writers who manage to produce books as well as additional income, and raise children too. I know what writing a book a year demands, and don’t believe I could do it if I had to work it in around a career or raising a family, both of which are full time jobs in my opinion. VS: How long have you been writing? Lori: S

About five years ago, I labeled a personal file as “Act Three,” and filled it with creative ideas for a new work-interest. I first enjoyed an exciting career in New York’s fashion industry, then later, via a circuitous route on the way to opening my own boutique Shop for Pappagallo, I established a successful real estate business in Chicago. But I always enjoyed business-related writing and thought a non-fiction self-help book, with life-lessons I learned along the way, was something to explore during this next phase. But, as often happens when you put yourself out there, I discovered another path and took it: I developed a TV pilot about New York in the seventies because, as they say “Write what you know” and I know New York. I’m a native of Long Island, and between attending school and working, I spent twenty-two years in Manhattan. I was so overwhelmed with ideas, I   created a TV series designed to run for five seasons. Appropriately placed in the New York City of 1975, whic