What are you currently working on?
I am always hard at work on “The Next Book”…or books. Like many authors, I am often uncomfortable talking about the work in progress. However, I’ve recently published the eighth installment of The Country Girl Empress series called THE IMPERIAL REBEL, the continuing story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and just completed the first draft of my upcoming novel called ALL THAT REMAINS... - the ninth and last book of the series.
When does the next book come out?
This is a difficult question to answer, as the “next book” will vary by which format you are looking for, such as hardback, paperback or e-book. Visit my website or my social media outlets such as Facebook www.facebook.com/authorapiperburgi, LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-piper-burgi-0ba30b14/ , Medium https://medium.com/@apiperburgi or Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7121827.A_Piper_Burgi often for up-to-date information.
Do you create your own cover art?
So far I have had complete control over my book covers. Since I self-publish, it is up to me to provide the cover art.
Can I submit my manuscript to you for editing or a blurb?
Unfortunately, I am currently unable to provide help with editing or blurbs.
When it comes to writing historical fiction, what is your rule for historical accuracy?
As a rule of thumb, I don’t like to go against known historical facts. However, although many times we know what happened, we don’t always know why or how. Writing historical fiction allows me to use my imagination and conjecture; something a biographer or historian cannot do.
I want to become a published writer. What should I do?
The first thing you have to do is write a book or story from beginning to end. Then you have to make it the best story you can create. There is no way around that. The second thing you have to do to be a writer is to keep on writing. Don’t listen to people who tell you that very few people get published, and you will not be one of them. Keep on writing, maintain the faith in the idea that you have unique stories to tell, and tell them.
But what about the ‘getting published’ part of being a writer?
There are whole websites devoted to this topic. You can either become a traditionally published author, submit what you have written to potential publishers and hope to get a deal. Alternatively, you can go the self-publishing route. Either way it starts out with: First, write the story.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
The best advice is also the simplest: Write what you love! Moreover, do it every day. There’s only one way to learn how to write, and that is to write.
Do you find it difficult to switch from one writing type
to another? What techniques do you use that help you switch “writing gears”?
No, I do not find it difficult to switch. There are days
when I’m in the mood for working on my fiction piece, other days I prefer to
work on non-fiction. I don’t have a unique technique. It’s all about how I feel
that day.
How long have you been writing? When did you start? Why did
you start —what triggered your writing?
I’ve been scribbling for as long as I’ve known how to write.
However, I didn’t start writing seriously until about ten years ago. I began
writing in my spare time shortly after my mother had suddenly passed away. Just
a few months prior she had asked for my help to get her memoirs published, but
neither one of us had any idea where to begin. As I worked hard to keep my promise to my late mother, I
needed to create some balance between the sad memories of my mother’s passing
and my active lifestyle. And I found that when writing my stories. Before I knew
it, I was entirely consumed by this new pastime.
What was your “writer dream”—your goal— when you began to
write? Has it changed over the years?
My original goal was to make the pain I felt, caused by my
mother’s death, somehow a little more bearable. As time went on, I’ve adjusted
my goals. These days it’s primarily about story-telling, less self-healing.
When did you first know that you were a writer?
I suppose I should have known from the beginning that I want
to be a writer. I come from a long line of storytellers. I’ve always been an
avid reader since I first learned how to read, and as a child, I spent a great
many hours alone wholly absorbed in my imaginings.
What does the act of writing bring into your life? Why do
you want to write?
Writing provides me an outlet for my creativity and
imagination.
On average, how much time do you spend writing a day? Do
you have a schedule that you keep?
I don’t have a set schedule for my writing, but one way or
another I spend about 6 to 8 hours every day writing. I’m very much a
fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of person. I find a rigid timetable kills my
creativity.
What stimulates your creativity or serves as a writing
inspiration? Conversely, what creates a major writer’s block for you?
Many define writer’s block as their imaginary friends
refusing to talking to them. Thankfully, so far mine haven’t stopped talking to
me for too long – knock on wood! I can’t rightfully claim that any one thing or
situation stimulates my creativity, but rather my mind is constantly churning
out ideas, and most of them I capture and incorporate into my writings. Some techniques that have worked for me in the past: Setting
deadlines, exercising, taking a break, going outdoors, talking to people around
me, reading, and working on my manuscript back to front.
Do you ever get “stuck” when writing—have trouble
beginning a project or getting through it? If so, how do you handle those
“work-in-progress” ruts?
Like all writers, I have good days and not so good days. On
the not so good days, when the words don’t seem to want to flow, I take a break
from writing and recharge either by reading, cooking, or traveling (if time
allows).
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
The least?
Love the writing/creating part the most, closely followed by
researching my subject matter; it makes me feel like I’m on a treasure hunt.
I’m not so fond of editing.
