NELLY VEE · PERSONAL REFLECTION
The World I Created, but Wouldn’t Want to Live In
A reflection on Benjiman Blue: The Streets Between Worlds
Writing Prompt
Which book’s world would be the absolute worst to live in?
My Response
I’d choose a world I created myself: the one in Benjiman Blue: The Streets Between Worlds.
That might sound strange. After all, I know the story. I know the characters. But knowing what is out there is exactly why I wouldn’t want to live there.
When the Familiar Isn’t Safe
In Benjiman’s world, danger doesn’t always announce itself. Curtis, a former Marine, has enough to deal with in the life he can see. Yet another world exists alongside his own, one filled with spiritual forces he doesn’t fully understand.
Benjiman sees both. One eye watches the ordinary world; the other sees what remains hidden. That is the part that unsettles me most. Imagine coming home, closing your door, and still not knowing whether you’re alone.
And imagine needing someone else to recognize a danger you cannot even see.
Why I Would Still Return to That World as a Writer
The story isn’t only about fear. It’s also about loyalty. Benjiman is a guardian, and his bond with Curtis gives the story its heart. My real dog, Benjiman, inspired the character. Writing about that kind of devotion means something different to me than simply inventing a frightening place.
That’s the contradiction I find interesting. I wouldn’t want to face the shadows in that world, but I understand why the story needs someone willing to stand watch.
Personal Reflection
We don’t always know what another person is carrying. Sometimes what we can see is only a small part of their struggle. I think that idea belongs in this story as much as the supernatural elements do.
For me, the question isn’t just whether I could survive in Benjiman’s world. It’s whether I would recognize the value of having someone beside me who sees what I miss.
Further Reflections
Explore the world of Benjiman Blue, read the extended story preview, or visit my artist page for more of my writing.
Read Benjiman Blue
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Your turn: Which fictional world would you never want to live in, even if you loved reading about it?
