Ask the Author: Alexandra Burt
Answered Questions (10)
Alexandra Burt
The cast iron sign wasn’t meant to be seen by just anyone, rather it materialized unexpectedly like a deer by the side of the road. Raised gold letters came into focus and below the sign bushy hydrangeas and dahlias the size of human heads thrived.
Alexandra Burt
I hike a lot and came upon a grave on government property. I did some research on the name on the headstone and found out quite a bit of information. It looks promising.
Alexandra Burt
I'd have to say Maggie and Brick from Tennessee William's play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." The story is all about what's really going on in families. Maggie's resolve and heart she carries through the entire plot, trying to get through Brick's alcoholic haze, and in the end she makes things all right for everybody; a baby, Brick is the beloved #1 son again, and putting her obnoxious sister-in-law in place. She is the catalyst for the truth and smashes everyone's illusion. Gotta love them!
Alexandra Burt
Sure, go ahead and add me! Thanks for accepting.
Alexandra Burt
It's loosely based on a short story I wrote many years ago. The characters seem to be made for a novel and I'm just going along with them.
Alexandra Burt
Sometimes poetry, sometimes essays. A particularly well written book. Obituaries, newspaper articles, twitter; you name it, anything can trigger the urge to write.
Alexandra Burt
A story of love and obsession gone wrong. Very wrong.
Alexandra Burt
Glad you asked! Here are my ten rules:
1. Keep putting words on a page. By any means necessary. Do not wait for the right moment. Leave the room, leave the table, leave it all behind for the perfect sentence, excuse yourself, and say: "I have to go write this down." Stories long to be written. Why not by you?
2. Choose your words wisely. Choose words that contain weight and rhythm. Nudge the world, push it off its axis. You have paper and pencils; why not raise hell.
3. Write every day. Write on paper, on napkins, on your hand if you have to. Open your veins and drain your life on paper. The rewards are infinite.
4. Write even if you do not feel like writing. Write especially if you do not feel like writing. If writer's block cannot knock you off your tracks, nothing will.
5. Believe in yourself. Tell the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the haters, the critical people who have nothing positive to add to your writing - to get lost. Use stronger words. Use them with conviction. You will emerge victoriously.
6. Don't make it your goal to see your book on a shelf; try to move the stars, the moon, and the sun. Give it your all and every word will shine.
7. Forget everything you have ever learned; it is all a lie. Blaze your own trail, part the seas, climb the mountains.
8. Read, read, read. And read some more.
9. Be humble.
10. Write without pay until someone is willing to pay.
1. Keep putting words on a page. By any means necessary. Do not wait for the right moment. Leave the room, leave the table, leave it all behind for the perfect sentence, excuse yourself, and say: "I have to go write this down." Stories long to be written. Why not by you?
2. Choose your words wisely. Choose words that contain weight and rhythm. Nudge the world, push it off its axis. You have paper and pencils; why not raise hell.
3. Write every day. Write on paper, on napkins, on your hand if you have to. Open your veins and drain your life on paper. The rewards are infinite.
4. Write even if you do not feel like writing. Write especially if you do not feel like writing. If writer's block cannot knock you off your tracks, nothing will.
5. Believe in yourself. Tell the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the haters, the critical people who have nothing positive to add to your writing - to get lost. Use stronger words. Use them with conviction. You will emerge victoriously.
6. Don't make it your goal to see your book on a shelf; try to move the stars, the moon, and the sun. Give it your all and every word will shine.
7. Forget everything you have ever learned; it is all a lie. Blaze your own trail, part the seas, climb the mountains.
8. Read, read, read. And read some more.
9. Be humble.
10. Write without pay until someone is willing to pay.
Alexandra Burt
Not having to mind-numbingly drag myself to work, and back home, just to do it again the next day. It's freedom, in many ways.
Alexandra Burt
I haven't encountered it yet. I write even if I don't feel like writing - maybe that's the antidote? For now I have too many ideas and projects.
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