Ask the Author: John Burns
Answered Questions (8)
John Burns
Thank you for asking, Carol.
Then simple answer is, I was a single dad for many years. During that time I: immersed myself in the joy of reading to my daughters (2 and 4), rediscovered the storybooks I grew up with and found the children's classics you see on my page. I love the wholesomeness of these stories, the moral compass they provide and the universal engrossing tall tales that speaks to virtually all of those in their "wonder years".
Many years after my daughters had fledged the nest I was compelled to write my the first of my six children's novels.
Then simple answer is, I was a single dad for many years. During that time I: immersed myself in the joy of reading to my daughters (2 and 4), rediscovered the storybooks I grew up with and found the children's classics you see on my page. I love the wholesomeness of these stories, the moral compass they provide and the universal engrossing tall tales that speaks to virtually all of those in their "wonder years".
Many years after my daughters had fledged the nest I was compelled to write my the first of my six children's novels.
John Burns
She was gorgeous beyond compare; her blond mane framed her perfectly made up face; her sculpted crimson lips beckoned and caressed mine for a kiss I found impossible to resist; it was heaven on earth.
I never heard the shot as she pressed the gun to my temple; and for the life of me I don't remember a single thing after that.
I never heard the shot as she pressed the gun to my temple; and for the life of me I don't remember a single thing after that.
John Burns
The best thing about being a writer is bumping into people who have read my work. I might meet them in line at the grocery store, while sitting in a park, or wherever but it delights me, no end, to see the expressions of happiness in their eyes when they come face to face with me and can't wait to tell me what was their favorite part of my books.
John Burns
I put the piece I'm working on away and write something else. I feel that if you force an answer to a problem in your story, or use a formula to escape the reason for the natural flow of you mind's eye to the story, you might get to the finish but the detour will obvious to you and also your readers. Give it time and the actual story will come to you.
John Burns
To remember, writing a book is an art and that you are the master of your story. Only you can see it in your head and your job as an author is to show the world the picture you see, the characters you've invented and all that make it up. You should look at your work as the process of an oil painting, wherein the painter (you) first creates outlines and shapes. Then, when the shapes congeal you start to fill in the details, then you polish it
all with highlight and shadows. When done, it is a first draft. Now come the hard part. Put it away in a drawer for a year but keep a note book on that title because little ideas will pop up for you to add in when you take it out of its cocoon. Surprises await you because you will have matured as a writer over that year and what you will have then is a rewrite and your additions and thoughts. Then you can begin in earnest to define you story into something that might merit a six figure income.
all with highlight and shadows. When done, it is a first draft. Now come the hard part. Put it away in a drawer for a year but keep a note book on that title because little ideas will pop up for you to add in when you take it out of its cocoon. Surprises await you because you will have matured as a writer over that year and what you will have then is a rewrite and your additions and thoughts. Then you can begin in earnest to define you story into something that might merit a six figure income.
John Burns
The Glass Alibi, a pulp fiction - murder mystery. I also devote a considerable amount of time every day finding the right Literary Agent to rep my enormous body of work.
John Burns
I've always been a storyteller. Even when I was a little kid I could spook the other kids with my made-up tales. Over the decades, I was told that I had a talent for storytelling, so often, by so many friends and acquaintances, I decided to give writing a whirl.
John Burns
My most recent book is Pengey Penguin and the Boogie-Man. Obvious by the title it's Halloween themed. The novella is about 8000 words and can easily be read by the 7 -12, kids as young as four get Adults seem to also delight in it. According to my test audiences the book is hilariously funny but still has that element that tugs a bit at the heart strings. It is not published at this time.
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