AUTHOR OF THE MONTH: Patrick Burton

Interview by Teresa B. Howell

Teresa B. Howell: How did you get started writing?

Patrick Burton: My writing journey began at the end of my first marriage. I was simply writing down the process of a divorce in regards of all of the emotions that I was encountering and how I planned on healing. The end result was my first book, titled “Mrs. Limbsy?”

TBH: Were there any challenges when you wrote your first book?

PB: My main challenge was that I didn’t know anything about writing a book. I just knew that I wanted to tell my story and that I enjoyed the creativity part of writing. The business of books presented an entirely different challenge. It’s one thing to say that I am a published author but then there is the now what part… How do I sell them? How do I find my audience? Gaining the epiphany that everyone isn’t interested in my genre or some folks don’t like to read at all. It was very intimidating and it required attitude and grind to find that “I will not give up on my gift,” mindset.

TBH: Where does your creativity come from?

PB: My creativity comes from my life experiences. Life is such a story in its self and I feel like I have been gifted to tell some of those stories with my twist.

TBH: What are your writing techniques like?

PB: My techniques go from narrative and descriptive writing. I like to take the reader on a journey by painting a picture with anger, sadness, and happiness. They get to walk in the characters shoes or think of someone who they know, just like one of my characters.

TBH: Tell me a little bit more about your publishing company?

PB: My publishing company is still a work in progress. My goal is to have all of my work under its umbrella at some point. At current it offers ghost writing and editorial services in addition to some knowledge of self-publishing in order to help a new author make an informed decision in regards to publishing traditional or independent. My main focus is to let anyone who dares to embark upon their gift of writing to show them how to develop their raw talent and give them a red tape free home in my publishing company. One relationship at a time…

TBH: How many books have you written so far and when can we expect your next book to be published.

PB: So far, I have three books published and two unpublished. My goal is to have my fourth book,” The Black Bird with the Golden Beak,” available by the middle of November or early December of 2021. My fifth book, titled “Generational Curses,” is still in its developmental stages.

TBH: As an indie writer do you face any challenges with publishing?

PB: I don’t see any challenges with being an indie writer. I think it’s all positive from the view of learning opportunity and having a project that really reflects my individual creativity. There are certainly some benefits to having a large team or traditional publishing company behind you but I enjoy my freedom to be me and there is a financial security coupled with indie that is also beneficial. The availability of doing deals with large publishing companies are always optional if they become interested. I would never disregard a good partnership.

TBH: What’s your take on authors supporting other authors?

PB: I am always eager to support other authors. I think that it’s extremely important that we form alliances that forge business opportunities and lifelong friendships within the world that we are all a part of. Anything other than that would be super counterproductive. I think that when one of use goes through a door it becomes open for the rest of us. This is not to disregard the mannerisms in which it takes to walk through the door. Know how to act in the room…

TBH: Who is your favorite author and why.

PB: My favorite author is Terry McMillon because she takes each character by the hand and will make the reader get absorbed into their emotions or what makes them tick. More times than not, it’s not the main character that she mesmerizes you with, which is very convincing writing. E Lynn Harris was such a great story teller.

TBH: Have you won any awards during your journey of being an author?

PB: No, not at this time.

TBH: What advice would you give to aspiring authors wanting to write a book?

PB: I would employ them to adhere to their inner self and write. Simply write. That’s the only way to really see if the actual writing is for you. This is a way to discover if you have a great story but need a ghost writer. This is how you find out if you like writing but don’t like selling books at book fairs. The first thing is to write…

TBH: What do you enjoy doing on your spare time when you aren’t writing?

PB: In my spare time I enjoy working out in the gym and spending time with my family.

TBH: Tell us how readers can connect with you.

Instagram: @burtonauthor Facebook: Patrick Burton-Author Twitter: @pburtonauthor Website: patrickburtonauthor.com