Guests: Katherine Benfante, Author
On Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-benfante-1baa5a62/
On Twitter | https://twitter.com/KDBenfante
On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/KatherineBenfanteAuthor/
Website | https://katherinebenfante.com/
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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast
On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli
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Episode Introduction
In this episode of the "Audio Signals" podcast, host Marco Ciappelli chats with author Katherine Benfante about her book "Scattered", a historical sci-fi work that focuses on time travel. The story explores the life of physicist Ernest Rutherford's daughter who, following a laboratory accident, is abruptly transported a century into the future.
This mind-bending narrative was inspired by Katherine's personal interest in science and history, fueled by her professional background as an engineer. Couched within the sci-fi elements of the story is a profound exploration of the societal progression from the 1900s to the 2000s, through the lens of a character who has, quite literally, lived in both periods. Particularly, the book emphasizes the advancement of opportunities for women, depicted through the character's experiences.
The conversation also provides an insightful exploration into Katherine's writing process. It was revealed how she goes about creating her stories, sometimes derived from a shower thought or a moment of doing the dishes, they are added to a long list of ideas she maintains. Furthermore, Katherine confessed the struggles and challenges of narrowing down the scope of a narrative, especially when transitioning from a full-length novel to a shorter story.
Katherine's passion for writing is evidently clear throughout the discussion, affirming that her writing derives not from the desire for celebrity status or financial success, but rather out of a love for the written word and a drive to tell compelling stories. In fact, she shares that she is currently working on her next project, also within the realm of sci-fi, hinting that the journey of a writer, like time travel, truly never ends.
Listen to the episode for an engaging and inspiring prattle about writing, creativity, and the eternal enchantment of time-travel.
About the Book
In 1906, Elie Rutherford dreams of joining the physics lab her father, the great Ernest Rutherford, heads at McGill University. Elie is thwarted from pursuing her passion in an era when women are confined to female-only college classes. Fueled by her burning desire for knowledge and purpose, she rebels against societal expectations, refusing to accept a marriage proposal that would threaten to shackle her dreams.
Fast forward to 2006, where William Hertz, a brilliant graduate physics student at McGill, lives an introverted life, immersing himself in the world of astrophysics. Wounded by past experiences, he shields his heart from love, finding solace among his fellow misfit physicist friends. Little does he know that his life is about to take an extraordinary turn when a mysterious stranger appears, lost in time.
Disoriented, Elie concludes a lab mishap brought her forward a century. Trying to blend in with modern students, she hides her identity until she meets William and risks everything by revealing who she really is. Elie and William's shared passion for physics sparks a bond as they attempt to recreate the experiment that can return Elie home. Torn between her past and a 21st-century future with William, Elie faces a heart-wrenching choice. Will she find her way back to 1906 or embrace a new destiny?
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Resources
Scattered (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Scattered-Katherine-Benfante/dp/1961093162/
Katherine Benfante's books: https://katherinebenfante.com/books/
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For more podcast stories from Audio Signals:
https://www.itspmagazine.com/audio-signals
Watch the video version on-demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllQvnJ8eHUlVX8AuyhehtexA
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