Interview With Claudia Mair Burney

Meet my fabulous, funny, warm and intelligent friend, Claudia Mair Burney. She goes by Mair (rhymes with fire), is a wonderfully talented novelist and is here at Just a Thought to answer a few questions for us! Isn't that just so much FUN? As you know, I'm a HUGE fan of Ms. Burney's and am so excited to have this opportunity to get in her head for a quick peak! I've been looking forward to this for a LONG time, so let's jump right in, shall we?


Me:You were confirmed into the Catholic Church last year, is that correct? What was that like for you? And can you give us a brief look into your spiritual journey to that point.

Mair: What I did was come into full communion with the Catholic Church. My confirmation took place in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It’s complicated, girl, and I’m not about to get into that here. But, it was amazing, Rhonda. I was so hungry for that brand of spirituality. It’s totally simpatico with how I’m wired. The process was a comedy of errors at times, and in turn, tender and brutal at times. And the change came with a surprising amount of persecution, but I wouldn’t trade one moment of that journey.

Me: Is your journey reflected in your literary characters?

Mair: Oh sure. All my journeys, even if I move from one geographical location, are reflected in my fiction.

Me: Who do you write for?

Mair: You. LOL. And me. And anybody out there who can say, “Yeah, me, too,” to my character’s struggles.

Me: I have just finished Deadly Charm, and of course I loved it! In fact, I’m rereading Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man and meeting Bell, Jazz and everyone else for a second time. I’m finding a lot of little hints and innuendos of things to come in the later novels. How far ahead do you plan when writing your novels?

Mair: I had to pitch the series knowing—roughly—what would happen in all three. A plot synopsis is required in most proposals before you make a sale. But the characters always manage to surprise me. That’s one of the more delightful aspects of writing series fiction.

Me: We know your inspiration for Bell was your great-grandmother Amanda Bell Brown. Let’s talk about Jazz. Who was your inspiration for Jazz?

Mair: Ha! Naughty Rhonda. I’ll be completely honest here. Jazz is based on my first… um…. yeah, him. He made an unexpected appearance back in my life the year I turned forty, which was the year I wrote that book. I was woefully smitten, hence, his guest appearance. I must admit, creating a fictional version of him was a really bad move. I was so glad to be done with those books! You just don’t know, girl.


Me: Deadly Charm introduces a new character, Ezekiel Thunder. Tell me about him.

Mair: I was “born again” in the early eighties, which was the height of the reign of the televangelist. He’s a composite of those poor souls caught up in excess, the mighty, whose empires fell before the world, causing more than a little disillusionment in me and many others.


Me: Rocky and Bell have an interesting friendship. What are you trying to show people through their relationship?

Mair: That wounded people, though Rocky doesn’t initially seem that wounded, are drawn to each other, and can be wonderful beacons for each other during dark nights of the soul. When Bell pieced her life back together, Rocky really was her rock. Their relationship is tender, complicated, and at times, hilarious. Her life would be impoverished without him.


Me: Several of your stories deal with interracial relationships. You’ve got Rocky and Bell’s history. You’ve got Jazz’s parents. Both of those relationships are presented in a nonchalant manner….no drama, really. (ok I know Bell and Rocky have dram but it’s not black and white drama.)Then you have Zora and Nicky…extreme opposite! Explosive drama! In your experience, which is more common in the church today?

Mair: I honestly think both are common. Some people seem to get the race stuff out of the way, early. And there was race drama (off scene) with both sets of Browns, and Rocky and Bell, but I don’t make a huge issue of it. The Amanda Bell Brown mysteries aren’t “race books” whatever that is. Zora and Nicky, on the other hand, was designed to give readers a look at how difficult race relations in America can be. When Don Pape asked me to write it he asked for a “race book.” Zora and Nicky is what came out of me.


Me: Speaking of Zora and Nicky…. you’ve been nominated for a Christy Award in the Contemporary Romance category!!!! (yay!! WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO) What does this mean to you?

Mair: It means my peers, writers and readers of Christian fiction, have read my book and deemed it extraordinary. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve given me the prize already, whether or not I actually win. And I’m so nervous. Today I dreamed the executives at David C. Cook told me they were embarrassed by the things I wear! In the dream I got so mad I withdrew my Christy nomination. I think I’m just anxious about what I’ll wear and do with my hair!


Me: You know I voted for dreads.
Ok, last question. What do you think are the 5 greatest pieces of literature you’ve ever read. Not necessarily your favorite books.

Wow. That’s really hard to say. I read so many books, and many have moved me. Some have changed me. I suppose, off the top of my head, I’d say:

Mariette in Ecstasy, by Ron Hansen
Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
Every Thing That Rises Must Converge, by Flannery O’Connor
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
The Color Purple, by Alice Walker

And that says nothing of the non-fiction and poetry, but since I brought it up, don’t miss:
The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning
The Music of Silence, by David Stendl Rast
The Long Loneliness, by Dorothy Day
Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott, and finally
Life of the Beloved, by Henri Nouwen.

For poetry, try:
Walking to Martha’s Vineyard, by Franz Wright
Sinner’s Welcome, by Mary Karr
Rilke’s Book of Hours, translated by Barrows and Macy
Love Poems from God, by Daniel Ladinsky, and
Love: Selected Poems by E.E. Cummings, illustrated by Christopher Myers.

Okay. That was so way more than five! I’m done now. Thanks so much for having me, lovie. You rawk.

No, my dear, you rawk! Thanks for sharing with us. We cannot wait for what comes next from that brilliant, sassy pen of yours!

Keep your eyes open, friends, for more from Ms. Burney, this time in the non-fiction section! Ooooooooooh!!!

For more about Claudia Mair Burney, check her out at www.ragamufindiva.blogspot.com.

Questions, Questions!

This will seem exaggerated to some of you. For others of you, it will be a walk down memory lane. These are MOST of the questions the kids asked me today, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. I didn't include any school related questions, or questions repeated because I didn't answer fast enough for their taste. Here we go!!

Can I get on the computer today?
Can I get I on after her?
Are we going to Walmart today?
If we were, could we go to Dollar Tree too?
How many days till the end of the Year party?
Can i have a waffle for breakfast?
Will you buy more waffles?
And when you do, will you buy some with the chocolate chips?
Summer isn't far away, is it?
Is Ben supposed to have that saw?
Who knocked on my door?
Can I have another waffle?
How many waffles is this?
What if snow is water??
Can I have some more juice?
What did you tell me to put away?
Will you do the comforter for me?
What is the opposite of up and down?
How do you spell "large"?
What is another word for "big" that has 4 letters?
Are those raspberries or blackberries out there?
Can you sew a patch on these?
Will you do it today?
Do they make dog breath mints?
Can we get some for Darcy?
Did you see that?
Why do you have secret eyes?
What would a doctor do for legs with scabs?
Is this green?
Is this the right color marker?
How much money would I get for reading this to Abby?
How much is 35 plus 35?
Where is the black marker?
Will you take me to the doctor tomorrow?
Momma, where's Clifford?
Can I get on the computer?
Then can I get on?
Will you reset the timer, my battery died.
Are we going to watch a movie today?
Can we watch Star Wars?
Can I explore the closet?
Momma would you put this on me?
Where is the baby oil?
Can I use the vegetable oil? Will it work?
Where is the food coloring?
What is that bag?
Can I keep this?
Is there another life jacket?
Why is Sam wearing one?
If we were going to wear them on our walk, could I wear that one and Abby wear the pink one?
Can i take a shower
Is Lizzy gonna take a sandwich?
Is you gonna , Momma?
Can I have some cakie bread?
Can I smell it?
Can I have some more, Momma?
Can I have some more cake?
Is my stomach bigger than Ben's?
Is mine?
Was yesterday the milkshake day?
Can I have some more cakie bread?
Will you tell Wyatt to let me play with my toy?
Is that a water turtle?
Can we keep it?
What if we did?
Can I get on the computer?
Can we got to the lake?
What if I were taller than the lake? Would you let me walk across it?
Are we still going to the lake?
Can I dip me feet in it?
Are we still going?
Can we go to the MacLellans?
Can we go wading?
What if it storms?
What if Abby was in the deep part of the water and she was drowning?
Can we go deeper?
Why can't I throw rocks?
Can I keep this one?
Is it going to rain?
Why are we leaving?
Why can't we stay, Momma?
What if i kept that big turtleand put it in with my box turtle?
Momma, do you like mud turtles?
Can I get on the computer now?
Can we get a different background for the kids account?
Can i go on the front porch? I won't get wet.
Can I check the mail?
Can I play in the carport, PLEASE?
Do you think I would get wet?
Can i bring the chalkboard inside?
Where are the dry erase markers?
Are "Rose Art" markers dry erase?
What should i draw?
Can i eat Sam's sandwich?
If you were me, what would you draw?
What is you had all day to yourself, what would you do?
Why does water seperate from olive oil?
What was that sound?
Who's is at the door?
Can we keep the goose in the back of the wooden truck? ( they came across a baby canadian goose today. )
Why can't we?
What if we keep Darcy on a leash and NEVER let her out without it?
Can we at least keep it the rest of today and tonight?
Can I get on the computer?
Mommy, can I get on the computer?
Can i have some ice cream?
What's for dinner?
Can i call Mammaw and tell her I found this?
Is this a private conversation?
If it's unpleasant, then why do you talk about it?
Will you do this?
Is this all buckled and zipped?
Mommmy, where's my pink flowin bowin? (life jacket, and i don't know why she calls it that.)
Where are the books with the crossword puzzles?
Did Ben brush his teeth?
Where is Ben?
Can I watch Sammy pooping?

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Monday in Mississippi

Wake up sleepy from staying up too late reading (Same Kind of Different as Me)...coffee...Wyatt makes oatmeal for the kids because he's AWESOME...tell the kids not to let the dog out because it's trash day...wonder where the cat is...shower...remind kids not to let the dog out....dress....get kids dressed...late rising kids get up and complain that all the oatmeal is gone...notice the dog is out by the trash bags....call dog and remind kids AGAIN not to let the dog out until the trash has been collected...check email...Wyatt goes to work...delegate laundry jobs...delegate morning chores...eat breakfast while fending off Abby who says in my ear, "A bite, a bite, a bite A BIIIITE!!"...reading for school...do dishes...more school, science now...plant seeds for herb garden...over react when seeds get spilled after they've been plated in pots...apologize...over react when kids are WAY to loud...apologize again...send out a search and rescue for the cat...no luck...snack time...plan dinner...a little math for Wyatt Henry...change poopy diaper...over react when I see Lizzie's room...apologize AGAIN..notice a pattern here and make some coffee.. lunch time...wonder why the heck everyone is so dang LOUD today...notice that I still haven't seen the cat...facebook briefly....check email...more laundry...lay abby down for nap...outside chores...swat bugs, decline bug spray offer from my son ...more science...swat bugs,decline bug spray offer from my again....call dog from cow pasture...find out whose turn it is to wash the dog...more yardwork...swat bugs, explain that the bugs are around my face and that I don't want to spray my face with OFF... assure Ben he isn't about to die from picking up branches...no it's not so hot that he will burn up...more yardwork......wonder when we moved to a swamp and spray everyone with bug spray, including my face and hair...wheel barrow with branches, weeds and fish guts (??!!??) spills over...assign Wyatt and Lizze to clean it up...Where is the dadgum cat??...break up fight between Lizzie and Wyatt over fish guts...call Ben back outside...dog rolls in previously mentioned fish guts... finish yardwork...tell kids they can turn on the hose...dog chases a jeep...dog catches a jeep...dog rolls to the side of the road with dislocated elbow (although my money was on a broken leg)...kids freak out...jeep driver freaks out...jeep driver picks up smelly wounded dog and carries her to middle of the yard..kids continue freaking out...assure Jeep driver it's not her fault the idiot dog chased her jeep...jeep driver leaves, still a little freaked out...call Wyatt...try to wash a little of the nastiness off the dog...Wyatt and Liz take dog to vet...tell the boys they can play in the hose...shower...start dinner...Abby wakes from marathon nap...take several calls about the dog...rock Abby...more cooking...tell boys to turn off the hose...ground Ben from water play for a week for pitching a fit...change Abby...tell Sam to pull his pants up...more dinner....tell Sam to pull up his pants...get Sam a belt...get kids out of back of Russell's truck...more dinner...wait for Wyatt and Liz..get kids out of Russell's truck...finish dinner...Send Wyatt Henry for yet another cat search and rescue...still nothing...Wyatt, Liz and Russell back..get kids OUT of Russell's TRUCK!...Ham, sweet potatoes and green beans for dinner...happy and amazed everyone eats!...send kids out to play...clean kitchen...check email...facebook briefly..change poopy diaper...decide a bath is really the route necessary...throw in Sam while I'm at it...pjs and all the little ones to bed...coffee and facebook for far too long.....hope the cat is back tomorrow...remember I told Lizzie I'd fix her blog...try to fix her blog...go to bed and wonder why i had coffee at 8:30...

An Easter Carol

Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;
Death is strong, but Life is stronger;
Stronger than the dark, the light;
Stronger than the wrong, the right.
Faith and Hope triumphant say,
Christ will rise on Easter-Day.

While the patient earth lies waking,
Till the morning shall be breaking,
Shuddering 'neath the burden dread
Of her Master, cold and dead,
Hark! she hears the angels say,
Christ will rise on Easter-Day.

And when sunrise smites the mountains,
Pouring light from heavenly fountains,
Then the earth blooms out to greet
Once again the blessed feet;
And her countless voices say,
Christ has risen on Easter-Day.

Up and down our lives obedient
Walk, dear Christ, with footsteps radiant,
Till those garden lives shall be
Fair with duties done for Thee;
And our thankful spirits say,
Christ arose on Easter-Day.

~ Bishop Phillips Brooks (1835-1893)

It's Friday...but Sunday is coming!

On Easter

In the sidebar of my blog is a little column called "Say it Again." There I usually post a quote relevant to the season. Today, when I searched for quotes regarding Easter, I found so many I loved, I could not limit myself to one. So, here they are. Enjoy, and have a truly, truly blessed Easter.

"The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice."
~Henry Knox Sherrill

"Could life so end, half told; its school so fail?
Soul, soul, there is a sequel to thy tale!"
~Robert Mowry Bell


"Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless." ~Charles M. Crowe

"The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances." ~Robert Flatt


"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there." ~Clarence W. Hall


"It is the hour to rend thy chains,
The blossom time of souls." ~Katherine Lee Bates

"Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, "Christ is risen," but "I shall rise." ~Phillips Brooks


"On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer." ~Douglas Horton

"Once more to new creation Awake,
and death gainsay,
For death is swallowed up of life,
And Christ is risen today! " ~George Newell Lovejoy

"There is not room for Death,
Nor atom that his might could render void:
Thou - Thou art Being and Breath,
And what Thou art may never be destroyed." ~Emily Bronte


"And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold,...He is here." ~St Augustine