Local author Bob Burdick’s writing
portfolio is long and accomplished.
Burdick, easily one of Gilmer County’s
most prolific published writers, confirms
that there is no easy route to success.
“There is no magic here. Success does not
come by wishing; it comes by hard work and
long practice.”
Photo by Mechele R. Dillard
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Local author and Ellijay resident Bob Burdick
wasn’t always a writer, but he certainly is
today.
Burdick’s first published piece appeared in
Caribbean Boating Magazine, in 1983. Today,
with well over 100 published credits to his
name, Burdick can certainly claim success in
the article and short story worlds. One of his
short stories, Beyond the Call, has been so
well accepted, in fact, that it has been
published seven times.
Burdick even has the title of “editor” in his
long list of credits, having edited novelist
Tricia Goyer’s wrenching look at little-known
WWII Austrian concentration camp
Mauthausen-Gusen, From Dust and Ashes.
Success, it seems, is no stranger to Burdick.
Now, he is reaching for success in the world
of mystery novel writing.
The Margaret Ellen, the first in Burdick’s
“Karen Cobia series,” was recently released by
Publish America. It is Burdick’s first foray
into the world of Karen Cobia, ship captain
and amateur sleuth; the relationship between
author and character promises to be a long
one.
“Most of the things I’ve accomplished in my
life have been by setting goals,” says
Burdick. And, when this former Floridian, and
general contractor, decided to become a
writer, he aimed high. Fully committing to
writing in 1990, he began submitting to
publications on a regular basis.
Intent on improving his work, and beginning a
first novel, Burdick decided to work with a
professional. As Burdick’s mentor, William G.
Tapply, author of the Brady Coyne mystery
series, was harsh: “Drop the pretentious crap
and write like you talk.”
Criticism is hard to accept; however, the
purpose of Burdick’s working with Tapply was
to bring out Burdick’s writing voice, as well
as, to improve his actual writing technique.
So, Burdick pushed aside his bruised ego, and
gave Tapply’s advice a try. Two-and-a-half
years later, the novel was complete and,
according to Burdick, Tapply’s final critique
of the work was, “This is hot-[danged] good.”
Burdick’s success is even more impressive when
one looks at the starting point of his writing
career: adult education classes.
As an adult, Burdick discovered that, “I
wasn’t qualified to write a grocery list. I
excelled in most subjects during my school
years, but, at the time, I could not accept
the thought that English grammar, literature,
and the like, would ever play a part in my
life. I was wrong. These items play a part in
everyone’s life, not just writers.
“So, I swallowed my pride, and attended adult
education classes. This was also where I
learned the truth in the adage about old dogs
and new tricks. Not fun, but my goal was to
learn; I stuck with it.”
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A
glimpse of
local author Bob Burdick’s
‘The Margaret Ellen’
The body was nude and floating face
down, but the long silver hair flowing
with the movement of the surf, the slender
waist, and the wide, well-rounded hips all
spoke to the body being female. The legs
were lashed together at the ankles; the
wrists were secured in a similar manner
behind the back.
While beachcombing Hangman’s
Key—pondering how to end one relationship
and mend another—Karen Cobia discovers the
body of Eva Marie Park, the Bay Area’s
most beloved philanthropist. Who killed
her? And why?
Responding detectives find no clues and
dismiss Karen’s input as irrelevant. That
evening, after Channel Five airs the story
on their late news broadcast, Eva’s niece
calls Karen, asking for help and hinting
of other sinister elements.
Giving this help, delving into matters
best left to the police, spells trouble
for Karen, as she unwittingly sets herself
up for a deadly encounter with Eva’s
killer.
— From the back cover of “The Margaret
Ellen” |
Stuck with it, indeed.
Burdick is now an award-winning author. His
short story collection, Stories Along the Way,
won the Royal Palm Book Award in 2002, and
recently sold out of its second printing. His
novel, Tread Not On Me, has been accepted for
publication by Publish America; it will be
released next year. And, he is hard at work on
the sequel to The Margaret Ellen (the next
Karen Cobia tale), Bottom Feeders.
Burdick certainly appreciates compliments and
favorable comments from readers, but finds
that “under the hood” advice — criticism and
critique that “goes ... to the core of the
writing” — helps him grow as a writer. He has
found on-line writer’s groups to be quite
limited, but says he has gotten “tremendous
benefit” through association with his local
writer’s group, First Draft Writers.
“We are a four-member group with only one
rule: A writer must write and submit for
publication. Critiques are intense, and go to
the heart of the writing. This formula works,
and is reflected in the group’s published
credits, an aggregate that now stands at seven
novels and over 500 articles and short
stories.”
Burdick’s advice to other writers? “Read and
write a lot. Then, read and write some more.”
As for grammar and technique, Burdick advises:
“A writer must understand that a grammatically
perfect piece of writing is not necessarily a
publishable piece of writing. There’s more to
the craft.”
Burdick explores many media avenues, including
on-line “print.” Burdick’s bimonthly column,
“Writer’s Network,” appears in the hard-print,
Inky Trail News, an interesting and unique
magazine, dedicated to friendships of all ages
and varieties. However, Burdick also serves as
editor/publisher for the publication’s on-line
companion, Inky Trails Senior Friendship —
News & Views. The electronic newsletter,
dedicated to readers ages 50 and beyond, can
be found on the Internet at
www.inkytrailnews.com.
Burdick’s own comprehensive “wondrous web
world,” otherwise known as “Bob’s Novel’s,
Newsletters, Stories ‘n’ Such,” can be found
at www.bobburdick.net.
Burdick, one of Gilmer County’s most prolific
published writers, is still setting goals and
striving for them. Hard work, and lots of it,
seems to be the recurring theme in his
success.
“There’s no magic here,” he smiles. “Success
does not come by wishing; it comes by hard
work and long practice.”
