Author Teresa Benitez holds a B.S. from the University of Puerto Rico, a M.S. from Stanford, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, all in mechanical engineering. Aside from this impressive educational background, she was also a engineering instructional professor for nine years. She has one published book currently, Unburdening: An Abortion and Generational Trauma Memoir. Currently, Teresa is working on more. In this interview, we’re happy to learn a little more about Teresa Benitez and her writing career thus far!
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
Such a good question! I have published only one book, Unburdening, which is non-fiction. For that particular project, the toughest part for me was translating from my native language, which is Spanish, to English in my head constantly as I wrote. However, as I design a new literary fictional project, the hardest part has been the planning. I am a “plotter”, as we are sometimes called, and I like to have a clear roadmap of where the story is going.
What songs are most played on your Ipod?
I do not have an Ipod, and do not have a playlist on my phone! I am not a skilled techie, but I do like music. My daughter and I enjoy listening to old-school Shakira, 90’s rock, Britney Spears, Rihanna, La Oreja de Van Gogh, the Mexican band Camila, and Sia.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
I try. Four people were reading my book as I wrote it, providing honest feedback and recommendations. One was a neighbor, one was family, one was my therapist, and one was a fellow author. I incorporated most of their recommendations into my later drafts, and my story went from 100 pages to 198 after their feedback!
What book are you reading now?
I am currently reading Don Quijote de la Mancha, a classic written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in the early 1600s. The reason why I chose this book, and others in Spanish after this one, is that I want my next book to be in Spanish. When I wrote Unburdening, I read two memoirs in English (The Glass Castle and Educated) to assess my memoir-writing skills. However, I will admit that the vocabulary used in Don Quijote is complex and different to more modern Spanish, so I will pick up a book from Isabel Allende to complement.
How did you start your writing career?
I spent twelve years in school after high school, and then nine years teaching engineering at the university level. During that time, I did zero poetic or creative work, unfortunately. But in my early teens, I wrote poems in Spanish, and I won a few competitions. I enjoyed it but it stayed in the backseat for a few decades, until January of 2022 when I somehow found the courage to make writing a priority. This is my attempt to partake in art, and I hope I continue to make it a part of my life for the rest of my days. It is tough, though, for artists, because finances may be unpredictable.
Tell us about your next release.
I am planning a book on mental health and mother-daughter relationships, based in part on my life, but mostly fictional. The book will be in Spanish and is currently in the early planning stages, as I continue to market my first book. Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions!
Unburdening by Teresa Benitez
Teresa Benitez had three abortions between 2004 and 2022. Although she was against abortion until 2004, her first pregnancy awakened her deepest fears. Was she good enough to raise a family? Or would her unresolved childhood trauma, and resulting mental illness, render her incapable of love?
In Unburdening, each pregnancy termination is meticulously described. The aftermath of each abortion is explored, including the mystifying blend of relief and distress that often remains after the procedure is over. This is a moving memoir infused with poetic prose, a story of motherhood, abortion, and mental health. It delves into generational trauma, survival, love, self-forgiveness, and healing.
“An important, deeply personal book for the post-Roe era…” – Kirkus Reviews
“With raw emotion and matter-of-fact logic, Benitez made the decision to do what was right for her each time she became pregnant. She does a tremendous job of giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at what an abortion experience is really like.” – Independent Book Review
“Every year millions of women privately go through the pain and emotional anguish of an abortion(…) Benitez has given these tortured souls a voice with her book. This is a must-read for every individual.” – Reader’s Favorite
