Top Retellings of Classic Tales
Pam
Pam asked Melanie Benjamin:

How can you use actual names in a work of fiction? Do you have to wait until they all have passed away? Judy curious about how this works. Thanks--

Melanie Benjamin Generally, you wait until they've passed away. A public figure has some loss of expectation of privacy, but you wouldn't want to put too many words in their mouth if they're still alive.
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Doug
Doug asked Melanie Benjamin:

Was curious how you feel about there now being another book on the same subject (i.e., 'Swansong' by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott). Have you - or WILL you - read it? I LOVED your version, but bought a copy of the new book to compare...

A Goodreads user
A Goodreads user asked Melanie Benjamin:

I read somewhere that greatest pleasure for you is when your books inspire readers to learn more about people you wrote about. That is exactly my definition of a good book!? - when it makes me want to learn more about people, culture and time period I read about. "The Aviator's Wife" did that to me. I enjoyed every page.

Goodreads
Goodreads asked Melanie Benjamin:

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

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Melanie Benjamin
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