Ask the Author: Sara Burr
Answered Questions (5)
Sara Burr
Wish fulfillment.
Sara Burr
My favorite joke (which I can't take credit for, but I also can't remember where I picked it up from) is that if you're blocked or your story is lagging, it's time to kill someone off or blow something up. Sometimes, that's figurative -- you don't actually have to blow something up, but it's time for some action.
Sara Burr
Well, the idea for Underground Rose was something that had grown in my head since I was a little girl. I knew who Rose, Megan, and Amber were, and I knew what the incident would be that would set the story in motion. But I had no idea what would happen next.
So, I wrote what I did know. Rose and Amber went swimming at the water hole and Amber got hurt badly enough that her life was in danger. They were too far away for anyone to help. This forced Rose to stumble onto her power to heal. She healed Amber's wound just before the ambulance arrived.
After I wrote that much, I was laying in bed one night, thinking about it, and two words popped into my head: "Underground Railroad." From that moment, I knew the plot of the rest of the book. Those two words did it for me
As far as the book I'm writing now, it's the sequel, and I don't want to give too much away. But those who know me will never believe where the idea came from.
I read an advice column that reminded me that in fiction, those with powers need limits. Rose has always been limited, so that's not a problem, but this article pointed out a lot of faux paus, and it really got my mind working. How could I take Rose, who has suddenly become more powerful than anyone could have imagined, and hobble her?
The answer to that is that I'm writing what I know, and this book is going to be so good.
So, I wrote what I did know. Rose and Amber went swimming at the water hole and Amber got hurt badly enough that her life was in danger. They were too far away for anyone to help. This forced Rose to stumble onto her power to heal. She healed Amber's wound just before the ambulance arrived.
After I wrote that much, I was laying in bed one night, thinking about it, and two words popped into my head: "Underground Railroad." From that moment, I knew the plot of the rest of the book. Those two words did it for me
As far as the book I'm writing now, it's the sequel, and I don't want to give too much away. But those who know me will never believe where the idea came from.
I read an advice column that reminded me that in fiction, those with powers need limits. Rose has always been limited, so that's not a problem, but this article pointed out a lot of faux paus, and it really got my mind working. How could I take Rose, who has suddenly become more powerful than anyone could have imagined, and hobble her?
The answer to that is that I'm writing what I know, and this book is going to be so good.
Sara Burr
I have a whole folder full of ideas on my computer. They come from everywhere. The setting in my climax scene came from an exercise I read about in an advice column one day. The idea was to pay attention to what your environment is like all the time. For example, right now, my house is quiet except for the humming of the fridge and the clicking of my parrot opening seeds with his beak. I can hear birds chirping outside. It's bright and sunny, and the light is streaming in through the open blinds. My vaulted ceilings make the house feel open and airy. Sitting at my kitchen table with my feet up on a chair is a comfortable place to write.
My climax scene (pictured on my cover) was inspired by a storm one day when I was walking out of work at my old job. The clouds were so oppressive, I was completely taken with them. I described the setting to myself as I walked out to my car and then while I was driving home. That eventually made it into my book because it left such an impression. Moments like that inspire me to write. Things in life that stick out a little bit more than others. Like how my mom always drove me to all my practices when I was a little girl, and then she just waited in her car with a Coke and a crossword puzzle. She gave up so much of herself to make sure we were well rounded. That also made it into my book.
So, I guess the answer is to be inspired by the world around us. Taking small pieces of our lives that mean something to us, for one reason or another, and incorporating them into our stories make them more real to our readers. I've heard it said again and again that you write what you know, and I completely agree. Since the drafting of Underground Rose, my life has changed immeasurably, and the sequel will show it.
My climax scene (pictured on my cover) was inspired by a storm one day when I was walking out of work at my old job. The clouds were so oppressive, I was completely taken with them. I described the setting to myself as I walked out to my car and then while I was driving home. That eventually made it into my book because it left such an impression. Moments like that inspire me to write. Things in life that stick out a little bit more than others. Like how my mom always drove me to all my practices when I was a little girl, and then she just waited in her car with a Coke and a crossword puzzle. She gave up so much of herself to make sure we were well rounded. That also made it into my book.
So, I guess the answer is to be inspired by the world around us. Taking small pieces of our lives that mean something to us, for one reason or another, and incorporating them into our stories make them more real to our readers. I've heard it said again and again that you write what you know, and I completely agree. Since the drafting of Underground Rose, my life has changed immeasurably, and the sequel will show it.
Sara Burr
Read constantly. I read a lot of advice online, and I read tons and tons of books. I also listen to audio books when I drive. Reading is studying and it is absolutely vital to your craft.
Don't let fear of getting it wrong stop you from writing. Nobody gets it right on the first draft of their first book. Just sit down and type, or pull out a notebook and start scribbling the words down. You're going to revise anyway, I promise.
Find a writing community. I started out with an online community and then found a local community. I enjoy a mix of both. My writer friends are priceless. I never could have done this without them.
Don't let fear of getting it wrong stop you from writing. Nobody gets it right on the first draft of their first book. Just sit down and type, or pull out a notebook and start scribbling the words down. You're going to revise anyway, I promise.
Find a writing community. I started out with an online community and then found a local community. I enjoy a mix of both. My writer friends are priceless. I never could have done this without them.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more