publication - Powerful Ink: Benedict Wells and "The Stories Within Us"
This book should not exist. And yet it has become surprisingly personal - the first non-fictional work by Benedict Wells. In his new title "The Stories in Us. On Writing and Life," the 40-year-old bestselling author reveals more personal details than ever before. Having written his first novel at the age of 19 and being hailed as a young literary talent a few years later, Wells wanted to take a break from writing after his last novel "Hard Land" (2021). But then during his book tour for "Hard Land," he received many questions about his writing process, and during the pandemic, many people couldn't attend his readings - so he decided to write a text for his website before his planned break.
He found it "spectacularly slipped away" from him: "I couldn't stop and felt a great passion for this topic, and in the end, it became a book."
Looking back on childhood, youth, chaos, and home
For his new title - it comes out on this Wednesday (24. July) - Wells returns to childhood haunts, recalls the five-year-old in his room in Munich, who will soon move to Switzerland for a few months because his parents are divorcing. He remembers the chaos at home, the little boy who "doesn't really exist" and who "later becomes literary figures as masks and hides his feelings behind their feelings."
He must now push this boy into this book against his will. Childhood and growing up are something he cannot hide when writing about his development as an author. But it's not an autobiography. At the age of six, Benedict goes to a boarding school, spends 13 years in Bavarian boarding schools. As a child, he reads a lot - even at night on the toilet. "Reading can save you." As a teenager, he is an "unsure, shy late bloomer."
His relationship with his chaotically described father and his mother, who spent time in psychiatric institutions, is loving but damaged. They inspired him and gave him early access to literature. But they were "wounded." He grew up with their "life fractures," living in total chaos. "Nothing fit together, and I couldn't articulate anything, a mute soul for years," describes Wells, who always writes with great sensitivity, finesse, and delicacy.
A path to becoming a writer seemed blocked for the growing boy. A teacher's voice from the upper grades, in German only a Note Four was possible: "Ah, Benedict, what else can you take as a Leistungskurs (performance course)?" Wells wanted to be an author after graduating from high school, moved to Berlin - with 120 Euro in his pocket and many literary ideas in his head. The time until the first publication was hard - his own doubts, rejections by publishers, meager side jobs, dwindling funds.
Wells describes all this not mournfully but in a light tone, even with winks, humor, and openness - and very readable. "Ten years ago, I wouldn't have been able to write these few lines about my childhood and adolescence." And: Pain can be "powerful ink," but the pain must first harden. The pages bear witness to a reserved, modest, self-critical person who doesn't like to be in the spotlight - despite success.
Prolific writer Benedict Wells and his works for over 20 years
On the first novel "Spinner," which he wrote when he was 19 but didn't appear until 2009, came "Beck's Last Summer" (2008), which was also later filmed. The third novel "Fast Genius" (2011) stayed in the bestseller lists for a long time. "From the End of Loneliness" (2016) was translated into 38 languages, followed by the short story collection "The Truth about Lies" (2018) and "Hard Land" (2021) - and there were many awards.
Instead of taking the planned writing break, Wells now tells dpa about the magic and fascination of writing, shares his experiences and insights as a writer: How to handle crises and concretely, how characters in a novel come to life and become lively, how dialogues work, how to create tension - how difficult writing can be and yet how rewarding.
Unusual for Wells, who currently lives in Zurich after years in Barcelona: He speaks directly to the readers and readers. He says about the work on a novel, "It's a way to change yourself." And: "With every book, you grow up again." Films, music, other novels, exhibitions inspire him. He himself is a chaotic type when writing with a high percentage of bad drafts.
What drives him and what's coming up next?
He doesn't make big plans about who exactly this text should address, Wells tells dpa. "This time I wanted to write a non-fiction book that feels like a novel, but above all I wanted to write something that amuses me – and maybe also a few others who tell stories or are interested in literature."
The 40-year-old reveals: "I'm now at a point where I can imagine a lot. Currently, I'm studying - 'one of the best decisions of my life'. I'm not going to reveal which subject it is, but I want to keep it. I was already enrolled in Philosophy and Sociology, but now I'm doing something that is clearly more artistic and challenges me. It's nice to learn something new, to fail and try again humbly."
He misses writing already - he's currently thinking more about genres like short stories, a play, or a book about dealing with grief and loss, he says. "I also have ideas for novels, but that would still take several years, as I first want to finish my studies."
- The German Press Agency announced the release of Benedict Wells' newest book, "The Stories in Us. On Writing and Life," scheduled for publication on July 24.
- Despite initially intending to take a break from writing, Wells was inspired during his book tour in Munich and decided to write a personal account, leading to the creation of his non-fiction book.
- In his new book, Wells delves into his childhood memories in Munich, recalling the chaos at home and the impact of his parents' divorce on his young self, which later inspired his literary creations.
- This book is not an autobiography, but Wells shares intimate details about his relationship with his parents, their struggles, and the role literature played in his life, making it a must-read for literature enthusiasts in Germany and beyond.
- In the spirit of genuine storytelling, Wells discusses his writing process in Zurich, highlighting the challenges, humility, and inspiration he has encountered throughout his prolific literary career, including best-selling titles like "From the End of Loneliness" and "Hard Land."
- The book release is generating positive reviews in Switzerland and Germany, with many readers appreciating the unique blend of personal revelations and insights into the craft of writing, marking a new chapter in Wells' literary journey.
