Ask the Author: Joy Burke Dustin
Answered Questions (9)
Joy Burke Dustin
Since I teach English, I can't even think about summer reading quite yet! I definitely am looking forward to reading Anxious People, though. I've heard some really awesome things about it!
Joy Burke Dustin
Like lots of people, I wouldn't mind living in Harry Potter's world. I am intrigued by the idea of magic and a sucker for fantasy fiction, so I'm sure I'd be more than happy being a student at Hogwarts.
But I also wouldn't mind living in the world Anita Diamant created in The Red Tent. Biblical settings fascinate me almost as much as magical ones do. While life was harder then, it was also simpler, which lately, is a lifestyle I find myself craving!
But I also wouldn't mind living in the world Anita Diamant created in The Red Tent. Biblical settings fascinate me almost as much as magical ones do. While life was harder then, it was also simpler, which lately, is a lifestyle I find myself craving!
Joy Burke Dustin
I stayed up late. I was out of coffee.
Joy Burke Dustin
When something breaks in my house, I will tinker with it until it's fixed. It might take seven tries, but I'm always determined to figure it out.
I approach writer's block the same way. If I'm stuck, I just write. Anything and everything. And if I don't like it, I start again. And again. I just keep trying until I get my groove back.
If an athlete can make a shot, they don't walk away and come back later. They keep trying. They try a new approach. They get advice. I look at writing and writer's block the same way. I don't believe in walking away. I believe in working through it.
I approach writer's block the same way. If I'm stuck, I just write. Anything and everything. And if I don't like it, I start again. And again. I just keep trying until I get my groove back.
If an athlete can make a shot, they don't walk away and come back later. They keep trying. They try a new approach. They get advice. I look at writing and writer's block the same way. I don't believe in walking away. I believe in working through it.
Joy Burke Dustin
Without a doubt, hearing from readers that your writing touched them in some way is the BEST.
Joy Burke Dustin
I used to read writers like Maya Angelou and John Steinbeck and think, I will never be successful at writing because I will never be able to write like this.
Nonetheless, I tried. And in trying to write like others, I lost my voice, and found writing incredibly frustrating.
Only until I wrote to my own abilities and standards did writing become fun and successful for me. So I guess what I am saying is, don't let others' voice or style intimidate you. There's a reader for every type of writer, so free yourself from the idea you have to be "as good as everyone else," and just write.
Oh, and read! Read A LOT!
Nonetheless, I tried. And in trying to write like others, I lost my voice, and found writing incredibly frustrating.
Only until I wrote to my own abilities and standards did writing become fun and successful for me. So I guess what I am saying is, don't let others' voice or style intimidate you. There's a reader for every type of writer, so free yourself from the idea you have to be "as good as everyone else," and just write.
Oh, and read! Read A LOT!
Joy Burke Dustin
I'd like to make Fred and Ginger a series, but I'm waiting a bit, just to see how well-received it is.
In the meantime, I have started working with my 11-yea-old son on a middle-grade fantasy series. We're super excited about it!
In the meantime, I have started working with my 11-yea-old son on a middle-grade fantasy series. We're super excited about it!
Joy Burke Dustin
Usually, my students inspire me! They are so talented and are so willing to take risks - that I tell myself, If they're willing to, I need to, as well.
I also am constantly inspired by my own children, who do a marvelous job being true to themselves in a world that does not make it easy to do so.
I also am constantly inspired by my own children, who do a marvelous job being true to themselves in a world that does not make it easy to do so.
Joy Burke Dustin
I really got to thinking about writing Fred and Ginger are Learning to Dance after I had my son. As a toddler, he was a bit different from other kids in his class. He loved pink, played with dolls and My Little Pony, and hated anything physical, like sports and tough-housing. He was incredibly sensitive, too. I loved everything about him, but his differences seemed to give others permission to judge him. Many people "warned" me he might be gay. Mind you, if he was, I didn't care, but I found it out that because he liked a certain color and enjoyed quiet play, people felt they could draw this conclusion.
As a high school teacher of over 25 years, I found these same social constructs - like "Girls should dress feminine" and "Boys shouldn't cry" -both prominent and frustrating. After a particularly disturbing conversation with a student, during which she told me her friend couldn't possibly be in an abusive relationship because he was a boy, I decided to write this book.
As a high school teacher of over 25 years, I found these same social constructs - like "Girls should dress feminine" and "Boys shouldn't cry" -both prominent and frustrating. After a particularly disturbing conversation with a student, during which she told me her friend couldn't possibly be in an abusive relationship because he was a boy, I decided to write this book.
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