Valerie Burns
Valerie Burns
Valerie Burns (she/her) was born and raised in northwestern Indiana. She has a B.A. from Northwestern University, a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, and a Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA where she is also an adjunct professor and mentor in the Writing Popular Fiction MFA program. She is the author of 20 traditionally published cozy mysteries, and is an Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Award finalist. Valerie’s work has been reviewed by major media sources including the New York Times, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal.
What excites you about writing? How has it affected your life?
I love the creative process. I find joy in taking characters that only exist in my mind and bringing them to life on the pages of a book. I love to create characters who think, love, laugh, and live. Once they’re written, they are real. Almost. I find writing cathartic and therapeutic. I can live vicariously through my characters and through writing, I have found the courage to do things I wouldn’t have done otherwise.
What mindset does a writer need to continue to grow and learn?
A writer needs to always be open to learning and looking for ways to improve their craft. No one is perfect. There is no perfect writer. Yet, we should always be striving toward perfection. We should always be looking for ways to take our writing to the next level. We can grow and learn by reading in the genre and also by reading craft books. However, the best way to learn is by putting pen to paper (hands to keyboard) and writing.
What makes a good writing mentor?
A good writing mentor’s job is to help a writer tell their story. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to writing. Each writer is different with a unique viewpoint that they bring to the story. A good mentor will recognize that and will help each mentee utilize their skills to tell their own unique story. A good mentor will provide guidance and suggestions to help make a story the best it can be, but will not dictate a story.
What is your style of feedback?
I like to read a story and write my thoughts and comments. I am often inspired while reading and LOVE brainstorming. Once I have completed my written feedback, I like to meet via Zoom to discuss the feedback. That provides an opportunity to ask clarifying questions and to make sure the feedback is clear. Throughout the process, the most important thing is for the writer to tell their own story. That’s my goal.