CROSSING OVER TO SAY HELLO

Linore Rose Burkard creates Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul, taking readers back in time to experience life and love during the Regency England era (circa 1800 – 1830). Ms. Burkard’s novels include Before the Seasons Ends and her upcoming The House in Grosvenor Square. Ms. Burkard began writing when she couldn’t find a Regency romance with an inspirational twist. “There were Christian books that approached the genre,” she says, “But, they fell short of being a genuine Regency. I knew that many women like me wanted stories that are historically authentic and offer glimpses of God’s involvement in our lives. So, I finally gave up looking and decided to write one myself."

Raised in New York, Ms Burkard graduated from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. She lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio.

We welcome you, Linore.

SKC: Before you tell us about your writing, we’d like to know what you do when you are not sitting at your computer!

LB: That’s an easy one. I am a mother of five kids, so I always have something to do. If I’m not writing or reading, I’m planning meals, or cooking, or driving someone somewhere, or cleaning up. They say a woman’s work is never done, and I can certainly attest to that! As a family we all like to watch movies (no TV), and we often stop everything to watch a flick together in the evenings. I don’t do this too often, obviously, or I’d never finish my online tasks—and when I’m on a deadline I skip movies all together, except for an occasional treat.

SKC: I can see that you are a busy lady. Now, Linore, will you tell us about that favorite part of your newest book?

LB: My favorite part—hmmm. One of them is when the heroine finds herself abducted suddenly and without warning. The “henchman” who was sent by the real bad guy is a character in more than one sense of the word! I had fun writing him and the way Ariana reacts to him and her situation. I love his speech patterns—call it uneducated 19th century Yorkshire-inspired.

SKC: Speech patterns have always fascinated me as well. What inspired you to begin writing in the first place and what keeps you going?

LB: I wanted to read a book that didn’t exist. Period. I finally started writing book-length fiction to get the read I was looking for. Before the Season Ends was the result of that.

SKC: I look forward to reading it. How do you come up with some of your dialogue in your book to keep it realistic with each character?

LB: I think if you know your characters, they will pretty much speak for themselves. I hardly ever struggle with, “now what should this person say?” My problem is more likely having them say too much, and then I have to cut portions.

SKC: You and me, both. I am always interested in other writers’ favorite writing helps books. What are some you’ve used to help you in your craft and that you would recommend to both new and experienced writers?

LB: I’m not a big fan of writing craft books, and not because I don’t think they have value; it’s just that I’m very impatient and I want to get started writing, already! I did use a book, experimentally, to try and fast-forward my writing process, though, and I’d recommend it. I’m planning on using it again with my next manuscript. “First Draft in 30 Days,” by Karen Weisner. I don’t use all her suggestions, but I found some very useful. Anything that can help you bypass what slows you down in your writing or revision process is worth looking into. The other books that help me most would be those that reveal the regency to me, since I write regency inspirational romance.

SKC: I haven't yet read any of Karen Weisner's work. How do you settle in on creating your settings? Your backgrounds? Creating your color schemes? Any magic formula?

LB: No, no magic formula. But if you’ve got a story to tell, it starts somewhere. I just follow the story. I mean, yes, I chose to write regency romance, so my setting is the period in history known as the Regency. That gives me my focus, in a broad sense. Then, when I have imagined a heroine and her problems, she has to be somewhere in that world, in the city or the country. This narrows my focus. All writers do this, I mean, you have to start with a story, and that dictates the setting. Everything else is atmosphere. You asked about color schemes, so, if I wanted to show that a character is wealthy, I would choose words and colors to support that. Using historical research as a help, you find that your choices will be limited. You don’t just pull things out of a hat, I guess is what I’m trying to say. There are reasons why the Regent’s drawing room will be blue and gold, while the poor country tenant’s house will be brown and drab. Some of it is just common sense.

SKC: Do you have any point in your novel writing when you come to a stand still? If so, what do you do to get yourself going again?

LB: I do something else, preferably something that makes me physically active, such as quick, thorough cleaning, or a good walk, or a stint on the treadmill. My mind gets a second wind, so to speak, by doing things. Sometimes I’ll break and get dinner ready for later, so I can just pop it in the oven. While I’m doing these other things, I often find the idea I need will suddenly be there.

SKC: What do you think is one of the most important things you have learned so far since becoming a published writer, Linore?

LB: I’ve learned that even the best writers need another pair of eyes, and preferably a trained pair, to go over their manuscripts. Good editing of a manuscript is important. I have very good editing skills, and this helped me enormously when I self-published my first book; (Before the Season Ends, which was picked up by Harvest House), but I still should have sought a professional editor, only I didn’t know that. Also, no matter your skill level, it’s a good idea to have other authors read your work before publication to get some feedback. If you don’t have authors to read, ask other avid readers. A really good reader will know if a book works or not.

SDC: As we are learning more about you we would love to know about some of your favorite books as a child. Tell us about them. Did they have any effects on how you write today?

LB: My childhood reading was wonderful, and I think did influence me. I loved the Little House books, The Yearling, The Rats of NIMH, all the classics. The Moffats by Eleanor Estes was my treasured, all-time favorite, and still is under-valued, I think, by the world. We lived only a few blocks from a small public library, and I spent a lot of time choosing books there. I always walked home with my arms full and a feeling of having just found some buried treasure.

SDC: How do you chose your market, specifically, and will you spread your wings further in the future by doing something other than Regency?

LB: “Choose my market?” I’m not sure what you mean by that. As for doing other writing, I do hope to “spread my wings,” yes. I’ve already written lots of stuff in other genres, even children’s books, but I’m happy to focus on regencies for now. I do have a few contemporary stories that nag at me now and then, however. One is virtually finished, and others are waiting in the wings.

SDC: What is next on the horizon for you in your writing?

TC: Actually, I’m waiting to hear from my editor right now on whether I can do a third installment (and final one) for the Regency Series with Harvest House, or if I’ll finish a stand-alone regency that’s about halfway done. I’d like to do both this year, frankly, so we’ll see what contracts I get!

SDC: I understand, Linore, you have a book to offer to one of our guests that write in. We appreciate that. Do you have any specific question you would like the readers to ask about?

LB: I offer a short story, not a book. The story I wanted to offer was a historical, but due to a nasty pc virus, the file with that story on it is not accessible right now. My husband is working on that. The story I have to offer in the meantime is a contemporary short, mildly romantic, more suspenseful. I’m hoping to get at my other file soon, and I’ve started another historical short in hopes of being able to offer it if I can’t get to the first one.

SDC: And finally, where can we find you?

LB: At my brand new website. http://www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com I have some great reader resources available and you don’t even have to sign up. Of course, if you want to know when I create more of them, do get on my newsletter list. I only send mail about once a month, and I never share or sell my subscriber emails.

THANKS SO MUCH, LINORE! THIS HAS BEEN A REWARDING MEETING.