At the start of the month I was introduced to Reverb, a month-long writing challenge. Like other online challenges I’ve done it’s introduced me to a new community, and as in any group, individuals stand out.
Jason Benoit stood out like a sore thumb.
His blog, Love Letters & Suicide Notes, is a foreign land, a land in which you might lose yourself in words or perhaps fall into a darkness which could scare you off, never to return. It’s this tension that makes his writing powerful.
I read a lot, and skim even more, so to catch my attention and leave me on the edge of my seat not wanting a story to end is quite a feat. There are probably hundreds of Reverb posts being published each day; his is one of the few I look for.
It’s that compelling. And, it’s not for the faint of heart. It challenged me to stay with it, to keep reading, and I’ve gotta tell you it is not easy reading.
It is however, extraordinary reading because he masterfully shines the light on our darker emotions, the ones we most try to hide.
Jason writes about the humanity of living; the good, the bad and the often ugly, and I appreciate that. It’s easy to put on a happy face, smile big, and make it look like you’ve got life handled. What’s not easy is baring your soul, and yet he does.
So beautifully.
His writing reaches out and invites you in, even when he’s writing about a traumatic event from his past.
And when he writes about beauty, connection, intimacy – the emotions we all want more of – it is heart-breakingly beautiful.
Today he did something that many dream of. He launched his e-book, Reminiscence: Ramblings of an Overactive Mind.
I’ve only followed and read Jason’s work for two weeks and yet I’ve read enough to know I’ll keep reading. That’s why he’s here in the spotlight.
Enjoy.
I am trying to figure this out.
I don’t necessarily believe I have some higher calling or anything, but something I noticed early on with my blog having the title Love Letters & Suicide Notes is that I get quite a few views from people who found it by doing an internet search for actual suicide notes. I hope that some of them at least take a few minutes to read some of the things I share and maybe find something there that can help them see that no matter how bad things get, there are people out there that have been down some dark roads too.
I hope that they will see that maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
2. What is your future self calling for?
I want the same things everyone else does – love, security, happiness, the things that most everyone wants for themselves – and, with any luck, to be able to write for as long as my fingers are able to mash the keys.
The list is almost endless. My dream is to one day write fiction.
3. How do you honour that calling?
I follow life wherever it leads me. I welcome adventure, and good conversation. I write as often as I can and put myself on the page. The words I share come from a place I haven’t fully explored as of yet, and can only hope it is as bottomless as the despair that I used to feel before I found my voice.
4. What is both effortless and life-giving to you?
This is a two-parter. I envy people who can do anything effortlessly. I have to work to be good at anything, but I think it makes me appreciate anything I can be good at all that much more. I even think if anything was too easy, I would get bored with it and move on to something that provides a challenge.
My words are life-giving.
I started writing as a sort of do-it-yourself therapy. Every story I tell, every hardship I put to paper, eases the darkness that once crippled me. Not that long ago I was borderline agoraphobic; I couldn’t even order a pizza. The effort it took to talk to a stranger on the telephone was more than I could bear. I still struggle in some social situations, but I am finding that the more I write and share myself the less anxious I am when I am put in a situation that used to seize my mind and force me to almost breakdown.
5. What do you do best?
Laugh. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. My sense of humor isn’t for everyone but the people who do get it, can laugh all night long. When I am on a roll.
6. What is extraordinary about your work?
I am not sure I can answer this one. I am not a very good judge of my work. Self esteem has never been a strong suit of mine.
The comment I get the most is: Honesty. People like that I don’t pull punches or try to make excuses for the things I have done. I am who I am and I can’t change that. All I can do is share the things I believe to be the truth and let people decide for themselves if I am worthy of their friendship or praise.
7. What is guaranteed to inspire you?
Words, ever since the fourth grade when I was introduced to Roald Dahl and read everything he had in print, I have found that words could move me. Later, in sixth grade, I found Stephen King and it always amazed me how he could elicit fear, or laughter; with nothing more than words. Oh, and the right woman.
8. What will your epitaph say if you’ve lived life on your terms?
“He fought for every smile, but did it as much as anyone I knew.”
Jason Benoit has a collection of macabre tattoos that may never be complete, but is always looking for one more to add to the set. He was born in Lewiston, Maine, but now resides in Wilmington, North Carolina where he likes to read and write in his spare time. He likes his whiskey on the rocks and his jokes tasteless. His blog Love Letters & Suicide Notes contains personal memoirs, original fiction, and an occasional rant.
Connect with Jason
At Love Letters & Suicide Notes
On Twitter
Buy his new ebook
Jason. Love.
I am going to be getting my e-reader this week and then I’ll be buying your book and inhaling it. Word by word.
xo
Thank you Rita. I can’t wait for you to read it. I’d love to know what you think.
I’ve been a fan/friend of Jason’s for a year now. It’s gratifying to see him get the recognition he so richly deserves. His writing is raw, in your face, take-it-or-leave-it, and honest. Above all, it’s honest. It sings with truth, his writing does.
And his jokes do tend to tasteless. Which is cool.
“It sings with truth” …yes, it really does.
If I remember right Mark, you may have been the first person I met through reverb that kept commented religiously. I thank you for the continued support and friendship.
This is terrific! I am so glad to “get to know” a different piece of Jason. I connected to him last year, through friends made with the reverb project. I remember that Jason’s writing made me really uncomfortable much of the time. Subject matter was often bleak or scary. I would comment on his blog, telling him so.
And yet, I kept reading. I kept coming back, as the sheer talent drew me in. I can only hope that more people discover this great writer. He’s become a good & supportive friend, and I am thrilled to see him featured here. Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
I have also enjoyed getting to read more from you. The reverb community has become more than just a collection of bloggers. It is a way to connect with so many interesting people. I am glad to know you!
Thanks Brandee. How you described your reaction to Jason’s writing is what I meant. It’s compelling and draws you in regardless of the subject matter. That’s skillful!
As for reverb, I got into it because of Rita (@LolaSpeaking). If it was good enough to inspire her I figured it must be pretty damn good 😉
You forgot to mention that you always have the nicest comments. They have always made me feel like what I was doing was appreciated. Thanks. P.S.- can’t wait to see you on some skates.
Excellent pick to feature Jason. Just stumbled on this writing through #reverb11 but have made it a regular read and will continue to do so.
It was easy to feature Jason. Discovered his work through #reverb11 too and became a fan 🙂 Glad to have you here!
I am so glad that you did find me and I found you as well. Reverb is a wonderful thing bringing people together like this, people that wouldn’t necessarily find each other under normal circumstances. Thank you for reading and remember, your secret is safe with me. 😉
Ha, I knew it! Anyone who writes as honestly as you do, Jason, in a take me or leave me kind of way, has to be from the state of Maine. Maybe it’s the weather here or the spirits that take over the woods in winter, but Maine breeds “what you see is what you get” people. It also breeds great writers, and you’re one of them. Keep writing or I’m going to come down to NC and drag you back here!
Sandi, thanks for featuring Jason here. You are so right — his writing is tough, tough, tough to read but absolutely exquisite. A writer’s job in society is to tell the truth and sometimes that rattles a few cages. You do it. Jason does it. No wonder you found each other.
You nailed it Carol. Jason is definitely a cage rattler.