Ask the Author: Alisa Burris
Answered Questions (6)
Alisa Burris
I got my idea from living through the worst depression I'd ever experienced in my life. To deal with my own helplessness, I started to write this story, which transformed into a therapeutic avenue for my gradual recovery. At the time, I determined that after what I'd suffered, it was important to turn this era of my life into art. Otherwise, I struggled for nothing. If I could create art out of this anguish, then a real, profound purpose could blossom from that angst, after all.
Alisa Burris
I became inspired to write at the age of thirteen. My parents grounded me for deciding to revolt against completing my schoolwork. Essentially, I rebelled for an entire quarter in eighth grade and refused to complete any assignments. I knew this decision would eventually catch up with me, which it did. So when my parents took away television until I could raise my grades, I started to create my own stories. Using my dad's old typewriter, I began to weave short pieces together and learned how much I loved to shape worlds of my own. It opened up the door of creativity for me and I've never looked back.
Alisa Burris
I'm working on a sequel of sorts to DETACHED that adds a new layer to the mystery, deepening and enriching it in the process.
Alisa Burris
My advice is quite simple and it's been said many times. But it is the truest, most authentic aspect of being a writer. Never, ever, ever give up. The writing landscape is filled with immense, often aggressive competition and it's so easy to feel lost in this complicated mix. But as long as you believe your work is important, that your voice literally matters, which it does, then don't let the challenges stop you from persevering. As long as you continue to try, you'll find the right home for your writing.
Alisa Burris
The best thing about being a writer is that I can create a new world to deal with my anxiety, to address an injustice, to create meaning out of chaos. The possibility of helping someone understand and better navigate an often cruel and hostile world keeps me motivated to continue forging ahead in my own work.
Alisa Burris
I read. By reading about the latest news, I can let my obstructed ideas percolate and develop more in the far corners of my mind. Then I'm able to return, flesh out that thought, and make it really come to life. Brief reading sessions give me the distance I need to break through that dreaded wall and be creatively productive in the end.
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