Benita Porter began her writing career as a storyteller, spinning tales for her mother, Sadie, before she could read. Afflicted by devastating shyness, Benita found solace and wonderment inside the pages of books, never experiencing a moment of loneliness during library hours.
In seventh grade, Benita discovered that her essay, anonymously submitted by a teacher, had won first-prize in the state of Ohio for a contest, sponsored by the American Lung Association. With her confidence spurred by subsequent literary success and the encouragement of teachers, family, and friends, Benita accepted the call to become a writing professional. Along the way, she had many earthly "angels" who helped facilitate her goal.
 Benita with mom, Sadie | She pursued education, receiving a degree in Creative Writing from Tennessee State University and an MFA from the University of Michigan. Like Mark Twain, Benita worked a myriad of jobs to sustain her writing quest. However, it was the diagnosis of severe autism in her eldest child, Brendan Johnson that did more to shape her development as a writer than anything else. Her son's primary round-the-clock caregiver, Benita used the four hours per day that her son attended school to perfect her writing craft. |
| In 1990, her diligence and commitment came to fruition when Dick Carter, a journalist with the New York Daily News featured her first novel, Colorstruck, in an editorial column. Within hours, Benita went from total anonymity to being thrust into the national limelight as a guest on the Donahue show. A torrent of national, regional, and local press that included a front-page article in the New York Times provided her with a readership of which before she had only dreamed. In 1992, she published her second novel, Skindeep, a sequel to the first book that was released to an equally positive response. |
 Benita and Brendan |
 Daughter Seneca |
When Brendan aged out of school in 2000, his behaviors were so severe that no group home or day treatment program would accept him. As a means of therapy to combat perpetual confinement with her son, Benita began rising each day at three a.m. and writing until seven a.m. to create her third novel, Outlaw Cravings. After placement was secured for Brendan in a group home eighteen months later, Benita began work on publishing Outlaw Cravings with her daughter, Seneca Johnson. |
| On the writing process and her readership, Porter says, "I write to communicate my vision, to share my versions of storytelling and living with language. There is no greater thrill than to know that readers exist who seek engagement with my characters. I'm honored that readers will cast discerning eyes to my words and that my book will have its day in court before a jury that weighs its judgment with mind and heart. Thank you for suspending your private lives to make room for the lives I've invented. I am in your debt." |
 Benita and the kids |
