Ask the Author: Heather Burnside
Answered Questions (12)
Heather Burnside
Sorry but I don't do horror stories. :)
Heather Burnside
Probably the places featured in the Retallick saga by E V Thompson. The books are set in Africa and Cornwall and the author paints such a beautiful picture of the setting. I would probably want to see those places during the time in which the books were set though rather than present day.
Heather Burnside
I don't have a reading list - just a Kindle that's very full and a cupboard full of paperbacks. Once I've finished reading one book I usually wade through my Kindle or peek inside my cupboard and see what takes my fancy. I read different genres at different times depending what mood I'm in but mostly thrillers and sagas.
Heather Burnside
That's an interesting one. Actually, my forthcoming book, Born Bad, draws a lot on my childhood experiences. However, the book is fictitious and none of the characters represent any real life person.
Heather Burnside
I can't really think of any fictional couples from books to be honest. However, there was a couple from a soap opera that I used to enjoy watching. They were Alec and Bet Gilroy from Coronation Street. They were both interesting characters with sharp humour and classic one liners, which were well delivered. I loved the way they bounced off each other and, despite their sarcasm to one another, there was a deep underlying fondness.
Heather Burnside
Hello Anna and thanks for your question. I enjoy both. Non-fiction gives me the chance to expand my knowledge but I think that fiction is my true passion. I love losing myself in my work. As a fellow author you're probably familiar with that feeling when you become so engrossed in your work that you almost become a part of it. I'll definitely be writing more fiction in the future and already have a lot planned. :)
Heather Burnside
The two books that I previously published under my own name were non-fiction so it isn't a problem that I have encountered as non-fiction books tend to be more formulaic. With fiction, if I'm struggling with a particular part of the book I sometimes write out of sequence and return to the tricky bit later. It helps to draw up an outline for novels too and then add detail to the outline as the novel progresses. The beauty of today's word processors is that you can easily swap and change the order of events. Another good tip is to take a break - go for a walk, swim, shop, or anything that allows your brain to have a rest. Then you'll often find that the ideas come to you spontaneously once your mind has had a chance to switch off for a while.
Heather Burnside
Being an independent author means just that - independence. I set my own working hours. Having said that, it doesn't always give me that much freedom as I often end up working longer hours than a typical nine to five job. Having your work published is extremely rewarding though especially when you get positive feedback.
Heather Burnside
Perseverance. There is a lot of hard work involved for independent authors who undertake most of the work themselves including marketing and promotion so you have to be determined to keep going. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start but there is a wealth of information available on the Internet if you have a good look around.
Heather Burnside
I'm currently finalising my debut novel "Slur" and should be announcing the launch date soon, which will hopefully be some time in September. I am also planning a book of short stories and have penned the first 10 k words of a second crime thriller.
Heather Burnside
I constantly have ideas running around in my head. Sometimes I wake up with an idea so I have a pen and notepad beside my bed so that I can quickly jot down ideas before I forget them.
Heather Burnside
"Slur" started off as a feel good book. I used to write once the kids were in bed and I would reminisce about great nights out I used to have when I was in my 20s. I then decided that I wanted it to be more gritty so I turned it into a crime thriller by asking the question "What if?" i.e. "What if the lead character's life was to take a dramatic turn for the worst because of the fateful events of a night out that went wrong?"
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