Oh, my esteemed readers, dreamers, and friends! I am so delighted for you to meet this sparkly Mouseateer! I met Robin at a local anime convention and through mutual friends. She is such a talented, inspirational, and warm soul that you are drawn to like a moth to a flame. Her smile, intellect, writing skills, and craft for cosplaying and fanning like a pro put me in awe. I want to be just like her! And after you read her interview here, you will do!

So let’s give my fellow Disney, Sailor Moon, cosplaying, author, and cat mom sister a big fireworks-level round of applause for Miss Robin Burks!

Author to Author Q and A

1. Where did you grow up? Did your childhood have any impact on your writing?

I grew up in Southeast Missouri just west of Memphis, Tennessee. My first novel is actually based in Memphis, so I’d say where I grew up impacted my writing some. I haven’t really delved a great deal into my childhood in my works, but what I write is based on the kinds of books and genres I always loved reading.

2. Tell us about the first story you ever wrote, published or not?

I was telling stories before I could ever write them down. My cousin and I used to write stories and them act them out for our family, based on soap operas. I always loved storytelling. I was raised to be an imaginative kid. I can’t remember the first story I ever told, though, because I’ve told so many since then.

3. What are you currently working on, writing-wise?

I’m working on the first book in my Children of Magic series. It’s The Dream Seeker and it’s set to be released in the spring.

4. What is your favorite character you have ever created and why?

That’s like asking me to choose my favorite child! I love all my stories, but my answer is probably always going to be a character from something I just wrote, so this time, I’ll answer with Alessa, which readers haven’t met yet. She’s a teenage girl who has just learned that she and her family have magical powers.

5. Do you have to write in order or do your ideas just come to you and you put them in order later?

I’m a plotter, so I usually know exactly what path a story will take and what scenes work chronologically. However, I have moved things around in the editing phase.

6. What was your path like until you found writing?

I was always a writer. I always enjoyed writing assignments in high school and college, but no one ever told me that it was a viable thing I could do as a career. I had a lot of jobs in a variety of fields after college (I majored in advertising, believe it or not), mostly in administrative positions. I eventually became a web developer and started blogging for fun when a friend told me about National Novel Writing Month – that was the first novel I ever wrote and published. My day gig also became writing – I’ve written content in the entertainment and science/technology fields.

7. How is your relationship with your publishing company?

I worked with a small publisher for my first four books, but I’ve decided to go it on my own for the new series. I wanted a little more control over the books and wanted to work the new release into my Patreon – supporters at certain levels are getting a copy of the book for free. That’s not necessarily something you can do with a publisher.

8. Tell us about your covers.

I design all my covers (thanks to my design background) and I try to make them ABOUT the book, rather than something generic. I did commission a painting for Madame Vampire, though, but the cover artist read the book first and created something that was perfect. My new book’s cover (which has been revealed on my Patreon) was designed by me and it’s all symbolism related to things in the novel.

9. What inspires you to write?

What doesn’t? Life is inspiration. TV shows and movies are an inspiration. Dreams are inspiration. Everything can inspire.

10. How do you get book reviews?

By begging, pleading, etc. I haven’t really figured out how to get more reviews, so if anyone knows the secret, LET ME KNOW.

11. What is harder: writing, editing, or marketing?

Writing! That first draft is called “rough” for a reason. I love editing because you’re shaping the book. Marketing can be tricky, but I think it’s kind of fun, too.

12. If you could publish every book idea you’ve ever had, how many books would you have out right now?

At least a million. Ideas keep coming at me faster than I can write them down. I think a lot of authors would probably say that!

13. Have you ever considered co-writing a book or series with another author?

Not really. I can admit that I’m too much of a control freak.

14. What do you do to relax?

Play video games, watch TV, and go to Disney parks.

15. If you could tell your 14-year-old self one thing, what would it be?

I would tell my 14-year-old self to keep doing what she’s doing – yeah, I made mistakes, but those mistakes led me here.

16. What advice would you have for this upcoming generation?

Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do.

17. Have you ever read a book that changed your outlook on life?

I’ve been reading a lot of novels by authors of color recently and they’ve all changed my perspective in one way or another. However, finally discovering Octavia Butler’s works have been a game-changer for me and I find myself thinking about those stories well after I’ve read them.

18. Do you have a classic piece of literature or a classic author you are fond of? How about one that is overrated?

I love Charles Dickens and my absolute favorite novel is A Tale of Two Cities. However, I think Leo Tolstoy is overrated, although I’ve only read Anna Karenina and found it…well…boring.

19. Any type of music that gets your writing juices flowing?

I can’t listen to music while I’m writing. My attention span won’t allow it.

20. If you could pick three people who are your heroes or role models, who would they be and why?

My father who taught me to dream. My mother who always supported folks no matter what (and gave me my love of Disney). And Neil Gaiman who taught me what good storytelling is (and who has supported me and other indie authors in numerous ways).

21. Dog or cat person?
Cats. I have four! But I like dogs, too, but cats are more my vibe.

22. What do you want to eat right now?

Churros.

23. If you could be in any movie that has already been made, which one would it be?

Aristocats, although I’m pretty sure I’ve already become Madame.

24. What is your favorite holiday or time of year?

Halloween – and I’m biased because it’s my birthday. But fall is also my favorite time of year. Bring on sweater weather!

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About the Author:

Robin Burks is an entertainment and science/technology journalist, published author and cosplayer. Robin is the author of Madame Vampire, as well as The Alex Grosjean Adventures Series, which includes Zeus, Inc., The Curse of Hekate, and Return of the Titans. In 2014, Indie Reader named the protagonist of that series, Alex Grosjean, as one of its Top Five Smart, Strong, and Relatable Female Characters. The series was also inducted into the 2018 Darrell Awards Coger Hall of Fame.

Robin, who currently lives in Missouri with her four cats, loves all things nerdy and has a serious obsession with Doctor Who and Star Wars.