Month: September 2019

The Writing Life and Choices of an Otherworldly Writer — Roulf Burrell

Roulf Burrell

In this last part of Jane Choate’s interview with Roulf Burrell, we will get a glimpse into the writing life of an amazing otherworldly writer and the reasons behind certain choices.

What is your writing schedule like?

dining, Highlands, North Carolina, Recipe
Coffee Shops

Ouch! It’s getting personal. I write in spurts and have a hard time beginning. It helps to go to libraries or coffee shops where I have nothing else to do. I also write at my church, as my wife works in the children’s ministry.

Sometimes, new ideas pop into my head, and as I jot them down, I slip into expanding them rather than finishing my prior work. Or some bad news regarding the beginner’s chances in the publishing industry claws its way out of this month’s media “click-bait” graveyard, and I’m left wondering, “Why bother? I have the same chance of success as having lightning strike me.” But like a dry cleaner pulling an all-nighter, I press on.

What do you do for promotion?

I have a website—www.RoulfBurrell.com. WordPress (my website management system) has been an educational challenge technically and fun artistically, though I find it awkward placing myself out there as an interesting topic.

Websites and media platforms are all part of the marketing arm for authors today. Marketing and science fiction blend well, as both relate an aggressive form of a gravity well commonly known as a black hole.

What compels you to write?

After trying my hand at many things, I finally met my match – in a good way. I get the same kick out of painting and constructing with words I imagine Michelangelo got out of the hammer, a chisel and a rock.

Michelangelo

What can you share regarding self publishing?

One of the first decisions any author faces today is whether to try and publish with a traditional publisher, or self-publish. And the pros and cons to each could fill another article. But for me, the issue boiled down to rejection and control.

Dr. Seuss’s first book was rejected 27 times. He became so disillusioned he had decided to take his manuscript home and burn it, when he ran into an old school acquaintance – a children’s book editor. I don’t believe I would ever survive such a process, so I’ll take another alternative, if offered.

Thyme for Writers, books, journey, writer, author, novel
A BOOK IS MORE THAN A STORY

Control is my other issue. With self-publishing, I control all the factors. But that means I’m responsible for any and all failures, as well as successes. I must edit for internal consistency. Edit again for grammar. Find my own beta-readers. I have to design a cover, or pay for an artist to do it. A table of contents must be made, chapters separated, the text formatted and converted, images added. 

I’m sure you have enjoyed this journey with author, Roulf Burrell, as much as I have. If you’re a writer, what compels you to write? If your goal is publication, which avenue would you choose to take and why?

More Through the Eyes of An Otherworldly Writer — Roulf Burrell

Roulf Burrell

This week I’m please to share Part 2 of Roulf Burrell’s interview with Jane Choate — More Through the Eyes of An Otherworldly Writer. If you enjoyed Part 1 (and I’m sure you did), you will no doubt enjoy Part 2 with this amazing fantasy/scifi writer.

How do you imbue out of this world characters with human characteristics we can relate to?

By staying with the universals. Life of all types needs to consume energy, wants to reproduce, faces the end of its existence. Most creatures and aliens still take in the world around them, interpret the data, think and feel about it, then act correspondingly. Fiction changes these elements in fun and educational ways.

Do you see plot or characterization as more important? Or are they fairly equal in your writing?

Is the front wheel or the back wheel of a bike more important? Without both, I’m not going anywhere. I love good characters, but I’d rather watch a James Bond film where action abounds, than My Dinner with Andre–boring talk. Besides, the sci-fi/fantasy genre tends to be plot driven. Plot moves the action; it’s the back tire to which we chain the pedals. Think of the old Twilight Zone episodes. You had characters, but they weren’t that deep. A man with a gambling problem. We don’t know why. A boxer who doesn’t want to take a dive. Episodes didn’t feature their past histories but a surprise plot twist that cast events in a different, sometimes bizarre perspective. I lean in that direction.

Which is more important — the front wheel or the back wheel?

What role does humor play in your books? (I know there has to be a lot of humor!)

Webster defines humor, in part, as, “appealing to the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous.” Humor provides entertainment, a needed laugh. Practically, humor assists story tension by granting a needed pause. A smile breaks up dramatic events that would lose their tension if held too long.

What do you see as your biggest strength in writing?

The ability to say a common thing in an uncommon way. From Saint Augustine to Groucho Marx, I’ve spent years collecting picturesque or unique phrases. I practice crafting my own phrases by varying their components slightly. I once became so dissatisfied with my boring description of the sunrise, I forced myself to create 100 different ways of describing the sun coming up, even a couple from the Sun’s point of view.

sunrise, Colorado, creative
A New Start

You belong to a Christian writers group. What role does your faith play in your writing?

My faith is as central to my personality as the fact I am a male or was raised in the Midwest of America. It’s foundational to my thinking and feeling; my humor, my creativity, my word choice or my plots. It shaped who I have become, so it’s reflected in what I say and do, or don’t do. So I don’t try to add my faith to my writing in a conscious way. As C. S. Lewis said, “The world doesn’t need more Christian authors. It needs more authors who are Christians.” I content myself to tell stories and trust my faith will show through.

What are your favorite otherworldly characters? Next week we’ll take a closer look at the writing life of Roulf Burrell. Stay tuned… .

Through the Eyes of an Otherworldly Writer — Roulf Burrell

Roulf Burrell

Today is the start of author, Jane Choate’s three part interview of Roulf Burrell, a self-described otherworldly writer who gives zombies life and other creatures life. Roulf Burrell is one of the most creative writers I’ve had the pleasure to read. I know you will enjoy this interview as much as I did!

How did you start writing?

As a young puddle-stomper, I enjoyed reading fantasy and science fiction. In my room, I escaped an unhappy childhood through books. In college, I tried fantasy role-playing games and discovered my creativity and plotting ability created a fun experience for those who delved into my dungeon. Later, it seemed natural to produce the fiction that I had enjoyed so much. All I had to do was buy a pen, some paper and dash out a story. I did. And the result was… so embarrassing; I spent the next 25 years learning to write fiction.


writing, publishing, story, fiction, novel, mistakes, writing mistakes, Thyme for Writers, journey, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, agents, editors, craft, skills, writers conference
Fantasy and Fiction

Why write zombie or “otherworldly” stories?

They’re fun. For example, do vampires need their teeth cleaned? How do they find a dentist? If witches are melted by water, why do they fly on broomsticks in the sky?

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Advanced Science

Be it magic or advanced science, it’s fun to imagine being able to do the incredible: fly, lift cars, see through walls, etc. And people enjoy seeing themselves as an empowered hero. It’s also a chance to remind us that our abilities, great or small, do not change our basic nature. Greater ability leads to greater responsibility. Conversely, unrestrained power will make its own monster out of us.

Otherworldly stories allow people to see preconceptions and biases in a different light. Why can we mistreat machines but not people? Could mistreating robots (or aliens) lead to a hardened conscience? Could our own scientific knowledge overwhelm us? If we presuppose certain creatures are evil, do we ever really give them a fair chance, or are we condemning them for “who they are” rather than “what they do”? These questions all have “today relevance.”

How would you answer these questions? Next week, we’ll discover how Roulf imbues out of this work characters with human characteristics we can relate to.