I pay my bills as a Freelance Graphic Designer. Many of my clients are authors looking to put together, publish or and/or promote their books. Mr. Burns is one such client. I worked with him to produce his crime fiction trilogy The Wee Hours, along with an as yet unpublished trilogy based on his life story. This is an interview with him about his writing process.
What inspires your writing?
I started writing poems when I was in my early twenties, then I wrote a short story and submitted it to Readers Digest. It wasn’t accepted. In 1991 I began writing my life story which was originally titled G-Money. In the mid 70’s I was accused of being responsible for 23 bank robberies on the Eastern Seaboard – from Maine to Florida. The “G” stood for government money. I later made my life story a trilogy and titled it Some Kind of Crook. The Wee Hours was a creative and fun trilogy based on my growing up on the mean streets of Baltimore, Maryland. It’s a mixture of well known after hour clubs, actual places, and characters that I created.
What is your process of developing characters?
When I create a character (male or female) it’s important the reader has a mental vision of the persons size, color hair, age, and most important “personality.” For instance, Nicole Redman was was your typical single mother raising her daughter in the suburbs of Glen Burnie, Maryland in the quiet neighborhood of Blossom Hills when her daughter was killed by a hit and run driver while playing hopscotch in the street. The raw emotions and the changes that a desperate Nicole goes through in search of her daughter’s killer is heart wrenching.
What was the earliest inspiration for you to write The Wee Hours?
I started the Wee Hours in a house in Blossom Hills, 108 Dupont Ave. That was my parents house when I was 8-9 years old. A young boy was killed while riding his bicycle when he was struck by a car that came over the hill. I made “the story” starting from that point.
Did you draw on personal experience? How much of it did you use?
Much of my books are based on my life experience. Dominic “Crowbar” Coroza was tried and acquitted for taking a prostitute out of the Wee Hours and killing her, but Stormy is a name that I created. I once owned three lots on Great Exuma in the Bahamas. John Leder’s island, Norman’s Cay, was 15 miles away.
How did you publish?
I published my books through Createspace (a division of Amazon) and Barnes and Nobles with a publishing company I started with my devoted wife Bonnie (Mega House Publications). My life story Some Kind of Crook is not available at this time.
Why did you do it that way?
I found that some Mills (book publishers) were only interested in printing books and offered to print my books at a cost to me, depending on how many copies I purchased. While other publishers only wanted to offer 6-8% royalties. By opening my own company my royalty is closer to 40%.
Who did your cover and marketing?
J. D. Williams typeset my books, created the book covers, and acted as my agent putting the books on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. His services are extremely reasonable and he also offers bar codes, ISBN numbers, and proof reading.
How many revisions did it take before your book was ready to publish?
I revised my books three times. As a first time writer I made novice mistakes.
There are four seasons and your story has to take that into consideration. The Wee Hours begins in 1968. Dancers didn’t wear g-strings, there were no cell phones, no Ponderosa Steak Houses, and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken came with mash potatoes and gravy, Cole slaw, and rolls. Interstate I-75 wasn’t built and 9-1-1 hadn’t been thought of….although I used it thinking my readers would probably never notice.
How important was it to tie important historical people like Pablo Escobar into the story?
If you want your story to be believable include names with your characters that people can relate to such asJohn Leder and Pablo Escobar. I made up names of biker clubs rather than risk offending them. But in some instances most of my readers will know which biker club I’m referencing in real life. For instance, there was only one club known for making Crank (Crystal Meth) in a cabin in Pennsylvania.
What are you writing now?
My name is William Burns #189577. I am serving a Life sentence in Michigan for an arson that I did not commit. Twenty-one years ago I turned down plea offers of 10 years, 5 years, and 2 years with credit for 6 months served. The M.D.O.C. has placed all of my books on the restricted list and I have filed a Civil Complaint in federal court listing nine (9) M.D.O.C. employees. At this time, I am no longer writing. I welcome and will promptly respond to emails sent through JPay.
What is your advice to other writers?
My advice to anyone thinking about writing a book is that if you think you can’t – you are probably right. There are more negative influences than positive ones. Think positive! You can do it – I did. Set realistic goals. Write ONE chapter, then do another. Never make a chapter more than 15-20 pages! And try to plan ahead. Always leave the reader ‘wanting’ to read the next chapter. Write it as though it’s a Soap Opera. As you create a character write down his/her description, age, birthplace and date, siblings and their ages for future reference. As the years in your book progress remember that your characters age too. Being in prison allowed me to write one chapter a day. Never go backwards! Edit and make changes after the story is written. Good luck!
Be Sure to check out W.D.’s debut novel, The Wee Hours, at the link below!
