Author Interview With Martha Bourke

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So, what exactly do you write?

I write YA paranormal romance.

How would you describe yourself in a short bio?

Well, I grew up in Burlington, Vermont, often considered a hub of “free thinking.” I was encouraged to write, act and be creative at a very young age. I’ve spent the last fifteen years creating Spanish programs for elementary schools. I’ve always seemed to have a fascination with languages, culture and mythology. YA paranormal allows me to use those in my stories, which is great. I live with my husband of thirteen years on our own little piece of Vermont in the Massachusetts countryside. When not writing, I love spending time with our animals, listening to good music, and taking photographs.

What made you initially want to write? Has your motivation changed since then?

I began writing with poetry in the third or fourth grade. With the encouragement of my family, I then moved on to short stories and even novellas for friends in high school. I don’t think my motivation has changed. I needed to find something to do with my imagination and still do.

What do you think is the most important part of writing?

I think good writing is the culmination of many parts that all come together to create the work. I’m not sure there is one part that is more important than any of the others.

What is your favourite part of writing?

Hanging out with my characters! My mom calls them “my people.” She’s 81 and what a riot! I suppose she does make me sound a little bit like Sally Field in Sybil. But, she’s right. I can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen to my characters next.

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

I speak Spanish fluently and many other languages to varying degrees.

Do you have a day-job, (other than writing)?

Not currently. I’m on sabbatical from teaching, but whether or not I will go back still remains to be seen.

Do you prefer a physical book or an ebook? Why?

I like and value both for different reasons. I love the smell of old books. I collect them, actually. But I have really embraced the e-book movement, especially for the environment.

Tell us about your novel, Jaguar Sun.

JAGUAR SUN is the story of Maya Delaney, a typical sixteen-year-old high school junior of Mayan descent. She’s busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in. But Maya’s got bigger problems. She’s hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can’t control. In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth. Maya finds herself at the very center of a plot over the transition to take place when the Mayan Calendar ends on December 21, 2012. And on top of that, she and her friends are beginning to develop strange powers. Faced with learning to harness her new abilities in time to bring the world to a positive transition, Maya must reevaluate her relationships, her identity, and her place in the world. But will the spirit magic she wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping Maya from her destiny? Or will that destiny destroy her?
So, how long does it take you, on average, to complete a first draft?

About fourth months, give or take. Then it goes to my editor.

Which projects are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I’m writing Book 2 in the Jaguar Sun Series, Jaguar Moon. It’s due out in the fall.

How do you come up with the titles for your books? And do you have the final title before completing your book, or after? 

Right now working on a long series, I have the first five titles planned out. A series takes some planning. Titles, cover art, etc. is often done a ways in advance. Jaguar Sun comes from two things: Jaguar, which is the animal Maya is able to phase into and Sun, which comes directly from the book’s climax (that’s all I’m saying about that!)

How has writing changed your life?

It has enriched my life in so many ways. It allows me to let my creative juices flow, which for me is very important. It provides an outlet for my wild imagination. It gives me great satisfaction to see a project through from beginning to end. And love to do it, so it brings me great joy. As do all of the wonderful other Indie author friends I have met through writing.

Where do you get inspiration for writing from? Do you listen to music whilst writing or have a ‘writing cave’? I do have a writing studio that I love. It’s decorated with all kinds of things that inspire me. I also love to write on our sleeping porch when it’s warm enough. I find nature very inspiring.

Is there a particular form, style or genre that you’d like to have a go at writing? Why?

Not yet. Right now I’m just loving YA paranormal and I’m relatively new to it, so I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be right now.

Favourite book and/or author(s)?

Let’s see. My favorite book from 2011 was Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

Do you think it’s necessary to have a degree (of any sort) in order to be a successful author?

No, not necessarily. Possibly high school. You do need a decent command of the English language, plot and characterization. The best writers, I feel, are voracious readers. But some things, like inspiration, can’t really be taught.

What would you say to those who want to become a writer? Any advice?

Experiment. Practice. Enjoy it. Be patient. Like anything else worthwhile, it’s not going to happen magically overnight. Then again, I write fantasy. So, maybe it can!