Recently, I had the wonderful privilege to interview Marissa Burt, author of the fascinating STORYBOUND books!
Here's what she had to say:
Gabe Fox (GF): How long have you been writing?
Marissa Burt (MB): I have been journaling as long as I can remember. When I was very young, my mom required my brother and me to journal, and while those early entries detailing what I ate for lunch and dinner aren't very interesting, they did instill a lifelong habit. Except for a short story I wrote during Chemistry class in high school (I'm sorry Ms. Greene!), STORYBOUND is my first novel.
GF: What made you want to be a professional author?
MB: I suppose I stumbled into being a professional author. I think anyone who loves to read has toyed with the idea of writing, but I didn't pursue this until my late-twenties. In fact, I studied Sociology, Ancient Languages, and Theology in university - not at all related to creative writing! :)
GF: Do you remember a story you wrote when you were little? If so, what was it about?
MB: Hmmm...well, I think most of the stories I wrote were probably fan-fiction of whatever I was reading at the time. The story I wrote during Chemistry class was about a girl who finds out she is a princess and has to defeat the evil ruler who has taken over her kingdom. I wrote it on notebook paper with a special fountain pen - I still have it all rolled up in my closet.
GF: Tell us a little bit about your writing career.
MB: I took the traditional road to publishing. Once STORYBOUND was complete (it was then titled THE TALE OF UNA FAIRCHILD), I drafted a query letter and sent it out to agents whom I knew represented middle-grade fantasy. My agent read the book, offered to represent me, and sent the book out to publishers. Some time later my editor took me through several rounds of revision before ultimately buying STORYBOUND and the sequel, STORY'S END.
GF: How did you get into the publishing business?
MB: After I had my first son, I realized that I would have to make the time to do things I wanted to do. So I decided to try writing. I set aside one afternoon a week and began working on a story idea that became STORYBOUND. Once it was finished, I decided to see if I could get it published, and now I'm very grateful to be doing such creative work.
GF: A lot of authors gain inspiration from other works of literature. Have you seen that in your own writing?
MB: I imagine that my writing is a mishmash of all the well-loved books I've read over the years. Every author wants to be original, but I think we never really can be, because what we read becomes such a part of us.
GF: How do you personally prepare to write a book?
MB: Every book has been a bit different. I rarely have a detailed outline in mind. Usually I start with a tiny idea for a story and a few strongly-imagined scenes. Then I piece together a first draft that is pretty awful. After input from my wonderful agent and editor I typically make big changes. A lot of my writing process happens during the revision stages where I maneuver the puzzle pieces around and around until they fit into the whole. It typically takes several rounds of revisions before I'm satisfied with the direction of the story.
GF: So, I hear you're a Christian. How has that affected what you write and how you write?
MB: The Gospel is Reality for me, and the Christian narrative profoundly shapes my imagination. I don't write categorically Christian books, but you will no doubt recognize redemptive themes in my books, because I am a Christian who writes.
GF: What is your favorite literary character? Why?
MB: What an impossible question! :) I have so many favorites! I suppose I have to go with Anne Shirley from LM Montgomery's classic stories. I've always admired her optimism, creativity, and love of beauty, not to mention the enviable Prince Edward Island setting.
GF: What is your favorite character that you have created? Why?
MB: I love all of my characters dearly, but I am especially fond of Sam the cat, because he is a compilation of three very winsome cats from my past.
GF: Tell us a bit about the books you had as a child.
MB: My favorite books as a child were fantasies that took you to an otherworld, preferably ones with tasty food, fairy-tale settings, and talking animals, which is why writing fantasy books has been so much fun!
GF: What can we look forward to seeing soon on the bookshelf from you?
MB: I am currently working on my next project, A SLIVER OF STARDUST, which tells the story of eleven-year-old Wren Matthews who has always known she's weird. Super-smart, happily solitary, and obsessed with astronomy, the only place Wren fits in is at the regional homeschool conference. When a mysterious visitor appears and invites Wren and her long-time science-rival Simon Barker to join the ancient guild of magicians known as the Fiddlers, things get a whole lot weirder. As apprentice Fiddlers, Wren and Simon have a lot to learn, but their ordinary stardust lessons are soon overshadowed by tainted legends of Mother Goose, battling alchemists, and dreams of the dangerous otherworld, the Land of Nod.
GF: Where have the ideas for your books come from?
MB: The idea for STORYBOUND and STORY'S END came from my own love of imaginary book-worlds. My favorite books are the ones that leave me a little sad when I finish the final page. I've often imagined the characters carrying on with their lives, an idea that became the Land of Story. Then came a series of questions: Well, what would happen if a girl from our world fell into that world? Why would she be there? Who is she really?
The STARDUST books were born out of too many hours spent reading Mother Goose rhymes to my young children and wondering what it would mean if nursery rhymes really were tied to an ancient mystery.
GF: How do you like to write? (For example, "late at night, with a pen and a notebook" or "over a cup of coffee at Starbucks with my laptop")
MB: I like to write at home most of all. I have a small writing space in my bedroom, and when I'm working on a project I set up shop there. Sometimes I will take a whole afternoon and write several thousand words. Other times I set a small daily word goal that I can fit in the odd half-hour. It really depends on what else is going on in our family life at the time.
GF: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
MB: READ as much as you can and as widely as you can. WRITE whenever you can and whatever you can.
GF: What finishing thought can you give us?
MB: I want to thank your readers for their interest in my books. I've spent so many hours reading books that take me to imaginary worlds that I love the idea of readers joining me in the Land of Story. So: THANK YOU and happy reading! :)
Read Marissa Burt's Books!
Story Bound and it's sequel, Story's End
