Story & Lesson Highlights with Camelia Bennett

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Camelia Bennett. Check out our conversation below.

Camelia, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’d like to say I’m walking a path, but occasionally wander off of it to experience something new. If people only stick to one path, they miss out on discovering experiences and people that would enhance their lives in ways they never imagined. However, if all one does is wander, then what drives them to do better, to reach a goal they set for themselves? I believe life should be a balanced mix of both for a person to be challenged, content, and happy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Camelia Bennett, and I’m a self-published author. My journey started during the COVID shutdown five years ago and hasn’t stopped since. In fact, I feel like I’m just getting started. I started out writing fanfiction for the first two years of my writing adventure. I wrote my first original story, A Soul’s Caress, two years later and published it in 2023. What makes this story unique is that it is an LGBTQ story, which I feel aren’t as well-published as traditional romance books. The genre is beginning to expand, which makes me hopeful my story will reach more people.

A Soul’s Caress is not only a romance story, but is a murder mystery with a dash of paranormal. Because really, who wants to live in the real world? I am currently working on finishing up my second original story, Soul Moon, a wolf shifter romance. I’m extremely excited to publish this one, which should be available for purchase sometime in early fall.

I want to tell everyone out there to follow their dreams. Never give up. I never imagined, at the age of 50, that I would start down a path that would lead me to find friends around the world and see my stories in print. So, let your inner child out and don’t worry about what others think. Be yourself and you’ll be the happiest you’ve ever been!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
There is a scene in A Soul’s Caress: Control (book 2 of the series) where a character named Ally stands up to two bullies in the woods to protect her younger brother, Devon, and the main character, Zayne. In the story, the three teens are being followed by two boys who threaten them and say really bad things about them. At one point, the bullies block Ally from leaving. She faces off with one boy who swings at her with a large stick. She blocks the attack, but her branch breaks, leaving her defenseless. When the boy swings again, she grabs his stick, rips it out of his hands, and hits him in the leg with it. After that, the bullies leave, and Ally, Devon, and Zayne all head back to her grandmother’s house.

I was Ally. That actually happened to me when I was 17. My cousin and I were walking in an abandoned limestone quarry behind my neighborhood, where all the local kids often played. That was the moment I felt like a real action hero protecting my family. My mom and dad still tell that story 30-plus years later. And obviously, so do I.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. A little over a year ago, I was ready to divorce my husband of over 30 years. I didn’t feel loved or appreciated. Honestly, I had felt that way for almost ten years, but I had kept it to myself. I spoke up about things, sure, but nothing ever seemed to sink in with him. Then, on Thanksgiving, he said something to me that unlocked the floodgates of my pain. I refused to let him leave the room until he apologized, which he did eventually. That was the moment I decided I would no longer keep things to myself. I would tell him when he hurt me, how he hurt me, and what he needed to do to make things right.

I’ve had to apply this newfound strength to my relationship with my parents, as well. I’ve set boundaries I previously let them through. But now I understand that in order for me to be happy, those lines I’ve drawn need to stay firm, and I can’t back down.

Ever since that November day, now almost two years ago, I have been so much happier. I’ve some to realize that what other people do or say is not always my problem to fix. And that sometimes there is no fixing them. But as long as I stay true to myself and what I believe, nothing can bring me down.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Shortly after I started writing my fanfiction stories, a reader started leaving me the most wonderful comments about them. Her words were always positive and uplifting. Eventually, we started chatting outside the website and became close friends. So close, in fact, that I flew over three thousand miles to meet her. We instantly clicked. It’s been four years, and we still chat every day as if we were talking on the phone. We laugh together, support one another, and give each other strength.

I have never met a kinder human being in my life. She helps me to understand not only other people but myself. She challenges my ideas and helps me work through problems. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
My writing! LOL. This is why I tell everyone to follow their dreams. Don’t wait. I used to write stories in high school. Granted, they were about unicorns (give me a break, I was 16 years old and loved horses), but it was something I really enjoyed doing. Then came college (no time to write, let alone read), followed by marriage and kids (I read lots of books with pictures). I stopped writing stories and reading books.

I have no idea if my books will ever gain popularity or even a small following. What I do know is that I love writing them! My characters make me laugh, cry, and sometimes punch a wall. The plots I come up with have me wondering how in the hell I came up with them when I’m a middle-aged housewife and mom who lives a pretty normal life. When I published A Soul’s Caress, I did it knowing that it could take years for the right person to read it. But I’m a very patient person, and I will never stop hoping for my dream to come true.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cambennett2113
• Other: TikTok. @cambennett2113