Accomplishment seems to run in the family: O’Connor and Benedict’s son Simon plays lead guitar in rising alt-rock band Amazing Baby, and college-bound Emma has won scholarships for her writing. When they were younger, their parents made charts, dividing the days so they’d each have time to write. “It sounds awfully mechanical, but I think it was a good idea,” says Benedict. “You knew exactly when you were going to write, and the nonwriter would handle all phone calls, chores, et cetera. It’s very good for not messing about. If you only have three or four hours, they become sacrosanct.”
O’Connor agrees. “Before we had kids, I could only write when I was inspired. Then it became, ‘My god, if I’ve got five minutes, I’ll write for five minutes. If I’ve got 10 hours, I’ll write for 10 hours.’ Otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing at all.” He shakes his head. “It’s hard to do all this and be a husband and father.”
Benedict snuggles next to him on the couch. “Are you a husband and father as well?” she asks teasingly.
“Sometimes,” smiles O’Connor. “We’re maniacs.”
Helen Benedict will read from The Lonely Soldier and The Edge of Eden at the Hudson Opera House on October 17 at 8pm.
