Author’s Home Page

Your chance to become a fictional character!

As part of the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center’s annual Jingle Mingle Online Auction, author D.P. Benjamin will offer bidders the opportunity to appear as a character in one of his upcoming novels. He has two new books in the works: Rare Earth, a mystery set in the Four Corners region, and Iron Angel, an epic fantasy adventure. Winning bidders can submit their name, or the name of someone they wish to honor, for inclusion in one of these new novels. Bidders can choose to be a character in either the mystery or the fantasy. Two characters will be named, one in each book. The highest bidder in each category will earn the naming rights. All proceeds go to support the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center (GMAEC.) The online auction begins with a preview on November 18. Online bidding begins on November 21 and ends on December 4. Several other auction items will also be available. As of November 1, organizers are still collecting auction items and the online option is not yet active, but interested bidders can periodically check the GMAEC’s website for availability. Here’s the link: JINGLE MINGLE ONLINE AUCTION

The Author’s Plate

August 8, 2026 by D.P. Benjamin

When an independent author takes on the task of writing a novel then adds to this challenge the goal of marketing the thing, that combined work represents a very full plate. (I would have written “a very, very full plate” except the late Mrs. Dawson, my old high school English teacher, would spin in her … Continue reading The Author’s Plate

Head Hopping: Good? Bad? Something Else?

July 23, 2026July 24, 2026 by D.P. Benjamin

Head hopping allegedly occurs when a writer begins a scene from the point-of-view of one character, only to “hop” to the point-of-view of another character. Most English and creative writing instructors would condemn such “hopping.” I’m not so sure. When it comes to the concept of head-hopping, I have a cartoonist’s advantage. Working in multiple … Continue reading Head Hopping: Good? Bad? Something Else?

What Have You Killed Today?

June 30, 2026 by D.P. Benjamin

As a mystery novelist, I tend to be cavalier about murder—most authors are. The typical fiction writer thinks nothing of crafting a scene of mayhem. Death comes easy. Books on writing and writers’ workshops traditionally refer to eliminating fictional characters, wonky plot-lines, or even unruly sentences as “killing your darlings.” As media consumers, we’ve viewed … Continue reading What Have You Killed Today?

One Finger or the Wave?

April 26, 2026 by D.P. Benjamin

I live in a rural community where it’s common practice to acknowledge a passing motorist. If the acquaintance is a casual one or even a complete stranger, lifting a single index finger will suffice. If the relationship is closer, a purposeful wave is best. When creating a fictional character, I apply the passing motorist test. … Continue reading One Finger or the Wave?

Your chance to become a fictional character!

Share this:

Recent Posts