Hi! I’m A. M. Burk, and welcome to my library!
As early as I can remember, I loved to listen to stories. I have many fond memories of my dad taking me on his knee to read The Hobbit or The Chronicles of Prydain before I was sent to bed.
When I was eight, my dad took an employment opportunity that relocated our family from upstate New York to the wild west (aka Texas). On the eve of our departure, a Sunday school teacher gave me a parting gift—a notebook and some gel pens (and yes, I realize that this admission dates me). That sweet teacher had no idea how much that gift would impact me. I immediately set to work, writing down stories and dreams that popped into my head and sharing them with my younger siblings over the next several years.
Now, more than twenty years later, I am still writing, although I have upgraded from gel pens. With experience as a narrative lead in the video game industry and as a freelance editor, I particularly love crafting intricate tales with complex characters. I write in almost every genre, although my strengths are children’s picture books, science fiction, and fantasy.
When I’m not chipping away at my newest manuscript, you can find me hanging out with my amazing husband and our two adorable kids (and yes, I know I’m biased!). We live in the great galaxy of Texas, as my husband likes to say. Over the years, we’ve amassed quite the “zoo”: four cats (Truffle, Ivy, Cora, and Elise), four dogs (Lulu, Eevee, Donald, and Corki), a beta fish (Cobra the Second), two koi (Po and Tigress), and a roomba named Bender. I’ve put up a “No Vacancy” sign, but you never know what animals are going to show up next…
I also love playing video games, listening to Broadway musicals (any EPIC fans in the house?), exploring local independent bookstores, playing the piano, knitting (yes, like your granny used to do), riding with my hubby on his motorcycle, and honing my skills as a baker in case of a future zombie apocalypse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the first story you ever wrote?
I wrote and illustrated a story for the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest when I was five years old about a pet rabbit that hatched from an Easter Egg. Sadly, the original manuscript has been long since lost, never to be found, but it did receive an Honorable Mention!
Q: Do you have any quirky writing habits?
I can not write or say idioms correctly for the life of me! I’m constantly having to double check myself against my husband to make sure that I’m writing them down correctly. Whenever he stops laughing, he lets me know that the expression is not “drinking the water.”
Q: Do you prefer writing by hand or typing?
It actually depends on the genre! When I’m working on a children’s book, I usually prefer to write it by hand initially so I can play with the rhymes and work on it with my children. When I’m working on a novel, however, I prefer to type it so I can easily look back at earlier chapters I’ve written.
Q: If you could collaborate with any author (alive or dead), who would it be?
Do I have to only pick one?
I’d love to collaborate with Lloyd Alexander as his series The Chronicles of Prydain are to this day a huge inspiration to me. I’d also love to collaborate with J. K. Rowling (as I’m sure any 90s kid who grew up reading Harry Potter would love!) and Andrew Klavan (if you haven’t read his Cameron Winters Mysteries, you need to stop reading this and go read those instead).
Q: How do you overcome writer’s block or creative slumps?
My husband ties me to my desk chair and forces me to write. (Just kidding, honey! I love you!)
But seriously, writer’s block is horrible. It crippled my writing career for about four years. What I’ve learned throughout it though is to simply keep moving forward. Just try to get something down on the page. You can come back and edit it later, but you need to write something. If you still can’t bring yourself to get through that pesky section, go write something else. Give yourself a little break and try your hand at another genre or a short story! Then, come back filled with determination to kick butt!Q: Do you listen to music while writing? What’s on your playlist?
I do! I actually have several writing playlists. My main writing playlist consists entirely of instrumental covers of anime themes and pop songs as well as classical pieces. Additionally, I keep a playlist for each major character I’m working on that is full of any songs that remind me of them or help me to get into their mindset. This is particularly helpful when I’m struggling to write a tough section or battling writer’s block.
Q: If your life were a book, what would be the title?
I think it would be called Then Sings My Soul.
Like most people, my life has been quite… exciting at times. I’ve walked through the darkest valleys of depression and scaled the most exhilarating of mountain peaks where not a cloud could be seen. Yet, through both good and bad, God has taken care of me. My faith in Jesus Christ directs me every day. I can confidently say that any success I have is not by my own strength and ability, but by the grace of God. All the glory belongs to Him!
Q: What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
“Write what you want to read.”
Also, Andrew Klavan once gave the following piece of advice that has really stuck with me: “Don’t be a writer if you don’t have to… If you have to do it, you’ll know.”
Q: What’s the most unusual piece of feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?
“It bad… Again pease!”
~ My two year old’s review of Commander Jimmy, Space Giraffe
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting out?
Read, read, read. The best writers are also prolific readers. It’s OK if you’re a slow reader or if you prefer to listen to audiobooks, but surrounding yourself with high quality writing will help hone your own “writer sense.”
Q: So, is writing your full-time profession? What’s your job?
https://youtu.be/RnHc21wd2RE?t=34
Q: You mentioned that you play video games! What are your favorites?
My absolute favorites (in no order) are Undertale, Rimworld, The To The Moon Series, Detention, What Remains of Edith Finch, Layers of Fear, Stories Untold, Spyro the Dragon (the original trilogy), and Crash Bandicoot: Warped! I really enjoy playing games with a strong narrative focus, but I’m also always up for a good game of Among Us, Risk of Rain 2, or Fall Guys with my siblings!
Q: Are you ever gonna give me up? Are you ever gonna let me down?
I won’t run around and desert you!
Q: What about [question]?
I’m so glad you asked! I’d love to answer you personally! Head on over to my Contact page or hit me up on social media, and I’ll get that answer to you.
