Ask the Author: Deborah Burns
Answered Questions (6)
Deborah Burns
Even though my mother was gone over twenty years, I never fully recovered from the loss and I had spent about a year really reflecting on our relationship. Then, while on a trip to London I stared at portraits of unconventional women from the eighteenth century, and BAM. I just knew that I had to learn more about them and write about my mother. Saturday's Child was born.
Thanks for asking!
Deborah
Thanks for asking!
Deborah
Deborah Burns
With a background in business and marketing, I know how important a "discovery" period is for any project (and a book is no different!). The idea for Saturday's Child hit while I was on a trip to London. I was staring at portraits of women from the 18th century and they made me think of my mother who I had lost twenty years before.
I had spent a year reconciling our relationship and then BAM! The notion to learn more about those women and write about my mother suddenly hit me! So stay curious and try new things.
I had spent a year reconciling our relationship and then BAM! The notion to learn more about those women and write about my mother suddenly hit me! So stay curious and try new things.
Deborah Burns
I have a historical novel and a non-fiction book on reinvention for women in the pipeline. But honestly, the marketing of a book is as time-consuming as the writing! All my attention for the next few months is focused on making sure Saturday's Child has a strong presence in the world. It is the book I was born to write.
Deborah Burns
It's a three-part answer. First, just write because the work is in your editing. When people hold a finished book in their hands, it's draft 200 or 300! So write, accept that this is a first pass, and then begin shaping the flow and finessing the lines.
Second, when you've edited and edited, find a respected reader and get feedback. Join local writing workshops. You must listen to expert voices and constructive comments. It will always, always take your work higher.
Third, the book industry is changing dramatically, so try the traditional path of literary agent/publisher, but also explore all the other possibilities, especially the hybrid publishers that sit between traditional and self-publishing. Worth a look!
Second, when you've edited and edited, find a respected reader and get feedback. Join local writing workshops. You must listen to expert voices and constructive comments. It will always, always take your work higher.
Third, the book industry is changing dramatically, so try the traditional path of literary agent/publisher, but also explore all the other possibilities, especially the hybrid publishers that sit between traditional and self-publishing. Worth a look!
Deborah Burns
It's a world of its own full of the new -- new experiences, new people, new ideas. My background was media world business, but now, as I live a more creative life, I just love how everyone puts the story and craft before everything else. We all appreciate a finely-turned phrase!
Deborah Burns
I devote mornings to writing so if I'm stuck and getting restless, I start to do something else, especially researching an aspect that I've been thinking about. I'm a huge believer in random dots and lines connecting to reveal something surprising. One thing always seems to lead to another, and when it does, the excitement breaks the block!
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