Shunning Security For Writing Success

“’Shun security,’ I advise aspiring novelists when they complain to me that they are stuck. 'Get disoriented.’ Maybe your agonizing writing block isn't agonizing enough. Your enemy is comfort.” – John Burdett

 

Born in England in 1951, Burdett is a one-time lawyer.  He started writing full time while living and working as a barrister in Hong Kong.  There, he came out with several bestsellers, including one of the best titles ever:  The Last Six Million Seconds, a murder mystery set during the time when Hong Kong is moving from Great Britain to China. 

Burdett never really wanted to be a lawyer.  He actually studied English and American Literature at Warwick University where he specialized in the unique combination of Shakespeare and metaphysical poetry.  But, out of despair during the British economic and political crises of the 1970s, he switched to Law until the draw of writing became too great.  Ultimately, he abandoned law to pursue a career as a novelist. 

 

Burdett now splits his time between France and Bangkok and continues to research his novels in various locations in Thailand, where he has created an amazing half-American, half-Thai Buddhist detective named Sonchai Jitpleecheep.  Trust me, this character and these books are fabulous reading and definitely show off Burdett’s ability to write “out of a comfort zone.”

“The world other than as advertised can be an amazing place," he says.  Especially when you write about it.

 

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