Meet Benjamin J Burton | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benjamin J Burton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benjamin J, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For a long time, I had this idea bouncing around in my head, something I really wanted to pursue. But then, as life tends to do, it threw a curveball at me. The first few years went by in a blur of unexpected events, unwashed laundry piles, and far too many nights spent binge-watching shows instead of putting pen to paper. It was almost as if the universe had conspired against my ambition, filling my days with distractions and obligations that made it nearly impossible to sit down and write. I’d think about it often, only to have my plans derailed by the mundanity of daily life, much like planning to hit the gym only to find myself sinking deeper into the couch with a bag of chips.

Now, things have changed. I feel an unstoppable urge to write, like a dog that sees a squirrel and just can’t resist the chase. It’s as though I’ve become that person who goes to the gym with all the enthusiasm in the world, yet somehow ends up indulging in dessert way too often. Imagine going for a run, but every mile is punctuated with a stop at the donut shop. That’s the kind of compelling need I have to write these days. It’s almost as if my brain is demanding it—it’s relentless! Each day, the desire swells like a balloon that’s been overfilled, ready to burst with stories waiting to be told. The more I think about it, the more I realize that writing has become an essential part of my life, almost like that post-workout smoothie that’s supposed to balance out all those ‘cheat days.’ So here I am, gearing up and diving into the writing adventure I’ve always wanted, ready to unleash the creativity that waited patiently all those years. Who knew it would take such a roundabout journey to get here?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Writing is an intriguing mix of two elements: it’s both an art AND a science. On the one hand, it’s like painting a masterpiece – you need creativity, inspiration, and a bit of flair. On the other hand, it resembles a science experiment in a lab, where you can take a piece of writing apart, analyze it, and understand what makes it tick, much like a frog dissected in a high school biology class. You can observe the structure, the grammar, and the flow, almost as if you’re trying to figure out why that poor frog hopped in the first place!

However, despite these scientific aspects, only a few writers are truly celebrated for their remarkable talents. It’s as if there’s an elite club that a select few get to join, and the rest are left standing outside, peering in through the glass. When it comes to talent, I wouldn’t say I’m the smartest cookie in the jar, the most imaginative artist, or even the luckiest person to ever scribble on a piece of paper. Yet, here I am, navigating this writing business, which can often feel like trying to find your way through a maze blindfolded.

In any endeavor, including writing, persistence is key. It’s essential to keep going, even when the going gets tough, the words dry up, and you feel like you’re grasping at straws instead of ideas. If you throw in the towel at the first sign of trouble, you might as well pack your bags and head home. In this wild and unpredictable circus of a profession, the secret ingredient for success is simple: don’t give up. That’s right! Just keep typing away, putting one word after another, and one day, you might find yourself on the inside of that exclusive club, sharing stories and laughing at all the times you stumbled along the way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s a riot that you asked about my friends flying in for the weekend during the fair because guess what? I actually had a whole squad of friends touchdown in Miami for a little fun in the sun! Their mission? To enjoy all that Miami has to offer while I showed them the ropes.

So, let’s rewind to Saturday. I met up with them right where they were checked in, in the trendy Miami Beach area. They were staying in a pretty neat spot, and right around the corner was this fantastic restaurant called The Orilla, I hope I spelled it right, lol. Word on the street was that it was a seafood lover’s paradise, particularly the lobster! It was also a steakhouse, so they were catering to all taste buds. It turns out that the rave reviews were spot-on. We indulged in some stellar food that left our taste buds celebrating and high-fiving each other.

After demolishing our meals, we hit the party scene. We headed to a club that had been getting all the buzz: Cameo. And wow, talk about a scene! The DJ was out of this world, spinning tracks that had the whole place on its feet. It felt like we were living in a music video with the crowd swaying and grooving in perfect harmony, all while the atmosphere was laid-back enough that you could actually breathe and enjoy yourself. I totally understood why my friends had their hearts set on this spot.

Fast forward to Sunday, after the Miami Book Fair wrapped up, I was ready for Round Two of fun. I caught up with my crew at Bayside, which is just a hop, skip, and jump across from the fairgrounds. They had been wise and spent the morning indulging in some retail therapy over in South Beach. By the time I arrived, they were already buzzing with excitement and ready to refuel with some lunch and drinks.

As we wandered around, we stumbled upon an exceptional outdoor bar called Havana 59. It turned out to be a hidden gem! The views were simply breathtaking; we sat outside soaking in the Miami vibe while sipping on our drinks. After we had our fill of deliciousness, laughter, and a lot of chatter that probably echoed halfway across the bay, we decided it was time to keep the party rolling. We made our way to the Hard Rock Cafe, where the good times continued with more food and fun.

And there we were, just a bunch of friends making the most of their Miami adventure, living it up, and enjoying every minute!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big shoutout to Miami Dade College. This place is like a culinary boot camp that turns timid cooks into fearless kitchen warriors. Even though I’ve written a ton about my experiences, the real magic happened in their culinary program. Picture this: I walked in there with a spatula and a dream, and by the time I graduated, I was flipping pans like a pro and whipping up dishes that would make even the toughest food critic weep with joy. That program didn’t just teach me how to chop onions and sauté garlic; it filled me with a fiery confidence that made me feel like I could take on any recipe thrown my way. The tenacity I developed was like an armor made of chef hats and aprons, ready to battle the toughest culinary challenges.

And let’s not forget about the fabulous city of Miami! It’s like a spicy salsa that gets under your skin and makes you want to dance. Living here is an adventure filled with wild stories and vibrant neighborhoods. If you can make it in the hustle and bustle of Miami, navigating the crazy traffic, dodging spontaneous rain showers, and dealing with the endless summer heat, then you can survive in any city! Miami toughens you up like a well-cooked steak—if you can make it here, you can thrive anywhere. So, hats off to Miami Dade College for giving me the skills and the city of Miami for giving me the grit I needed to chase my culinary dreams with a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other!

Website: https://www.benjaminjburton.com

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Image Credits
Reinaldo Gotierrez