Benjamin & Slick - 'The Anti-Anti Heroes'

I always make a comment when readers  tell me they are starting on the adventure that is The River books,

                  " Be careful, your gonna fall in love with them. But they are insane. You were warned."

This usually illicit a number of reactions, most being chuckles, but I always get that one email form a few.

                                                            "Your right. I love the boys."

I think the reason why people love Ben and Slick is the fact that both are honest with very little filter, the boys say everything that is on their minds and what comes out is not always comfortable for a lot of people.  As a writer, writing about two 'colorful' characters, I had to be honest. Both of the characters are based on people that were apart of my family.

I could not drop the ball.

There are two fans and friends I talk with online every day, Beth and Valerie, my 'sounding boards' ( I do not think they know this)  I tell them all the time that I hear Slick and Ben in my heart and head, that the boys are 'cutting up' or distracting me from writing. This is the honest truth.
I have written several books ( some people will say not very well, but my work sells - the last laugh is mine). In my career as a independent writer, The River is the only ONLY literary journey that has moved me in so many ways. There are times I cry, moments of  cheerful endless giggles, sometimes I get angry. When editing and proofing the books, I often find myself finger-wagging at the boy's antics or talking out loud, as if having a conversation with two good friends.
Though I am sure other writers do the same, I love having the boys as an active part of my life. Often, when out and about in Manhattan, I often think to myself in situations. "What would Slick or Benjamin do?" 

I love the books dearly and it seems my readers feel the same.