Ask the Author: James Burge
Answered Questions (5)
James Burge
I am not sure I really believe in inspiration in the sense of seeing a beautiful sunset, for example, and then rushing off to write a poem about it. I think that the real reason I start writing every day is the fear of the consequences of not having written. That said, it is true that, once you do start, something else takes over and you want to get the writing done. At the root of that is a combination of two related things: the desire to communicate and the desire to get attention.
James Burge
My current book is a novel about the rise and fall of a secret cult in twelfth-century Paris. It has some weird characters, lots of nastiness and some poignant moments but, to let you into a secret, I have realised in recent weeks that, because this is my first full-length work of fiction, there has been a gap in my understanding: I didn't know what the book was really about. I had amassed copious notes, plans and draft text but I have only just figured what it should all add up to. I am sure that many writers start with that knowledge and then get on with the job but for me it has taken time which is a shame because, until you have a handle on that, it is almost impossible to get going -- a bit like trying to tell a joke when you are not sure of the punch line! I hope have it sorted now, though, so watch this space.
James Burge
Write. Read. Be nice to people in publishing.
James Burge
The feeling that all aspects of one's experience may be useful
James Burge
By not really believing that it exists. Partly this is a matter of self-confidence but mostly a matter of fear. It is the fear of being found out that keeps an author writing
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