Brooke Bentley
Brooke Bentley is a former television anchor and award-winning sports reporter. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Davidson College, she received a master’s in journalism from the University of Southern California. Brooke then spent two years working for the Houston Texans as a media personality and over a decade working in sports journalism. Brooke now devotes her time to championing local nonprofits, including Homemade Hope, where she served as the development director. She and her husband live in Houston and are raising two young boys.
Instagram: @brookiebentley
X (Formerly Twitter): @BrookieBentley
Facebook: @Bentley.brooke
Is there a genre of music that influences your writing/thinking? Do you listen to music while you write?
I write my best in complete silence. I know it sounds austere. But when I’m writing a novel, I can hear the characters conversing in my head. I need to give them the space to be seen and heard. Editing is a whole different process. Music swings me into an editing rhythm. For Sideline Confidential, I listened to Taylor Swift on repeat. The uplifting themes of female empowerment in her songs course through the storyline of the novel. Of course, the music differs depending on what I’m writing. I’m a huge indie rock fan. I listen to Manchester Orchestra to awaken my creative spirit. And, a fun aside, my uncle is country musician Dierks Bentley. A passion for music definitely runs in my family!
Favorite non-reading activity?
Hiking and golfing nourish my soul. They allow me to unplug, stay present, and reconnect with nature in a meditative way. Plus, I’m usually doing them with my husband, which gives us extra special quality time together.
Is your go to comfort food sweet or savory? Is it something you make yourself? Does food inspire your writing?
Every morning before I sit down to write, I make myself a large mug of coffee with vanilla almond milk creamer. I look forward to this coffee so much that I think about it before I go to bed at night. The only thing better is adding a gluten-free pastry to sweeten the deal. My youngest son and I have Celiac disease and dairy allergies, so I bake most of our pastries at home. Nothing gets me more excited to write than sitting down with my heavily creamed coffee and a homemade muffin.
Is there a work of art that you love. Why? Have you ever visited it in person?
The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. I actually first saw this painting in person. I was backpacking through Europe with a friend after spending a semester studying in Spain. At the last minute, we added a day trip to Vienna where we visited the Belvedere Palace. The Kiss is the most famous work in the palace. The painting’s luminous gold leaf and dazzling bursts of color are enough to enchant any eyes. What really touched me was the couple’s embrace. It’s intimate and sensual yet also sublimely peaceful. The Kiss was the first piece of art to imprint my heart and my mind. I just hope to make it back to Vienna to see it again!
What brings you great joy?
My husband and two sons. Nothing fills my heart with joy like seeing them smile. We have so much fun together! They share my passion for playing sports, being in nature AND reading. My boys started reading at early ages and have been voracious readers ever since. I’m constantly learning from them and the books they’re devouring. No one was prouder of me for publishing my first novel than my sons and husband. They jumped for joy when I opened the first box of ARCs- it’s a memory that will live within me always.
