Heart Awards Winner Interview: Dee Burks

Dee was a Heart Awards winner in 2024 in Category 10 Unpublished Clean with her novel, The Legend of Dolby Kurtz.

Ariel, Editor: My favorite way to begin, if you’ve come across any prior interviews, what’s one unique thing about yourself that would surprise us?

Dee: "I play Poker (Semi pro level WSOP)."

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

Dee: "Oh Lord that would take all day, LOL...corporate world, HR director at a hosp, city training director, blah blah. As a business owner, ghostwriter of 150+ nonfiction books on everything from plastic surgery to grief. Grew up in a rural ranch environment. There's just so much, really....I'm feeling old now...."

What made you start writing? When did you know this was your path?

Dee: "I remember writing for fun from the time I could hold a pencil. Freaked my mom out when in elementary school with my 'dead body' stories. Got hooked on romance sneaking harlequins out of the library at the age of ten...the librarian called my mom and ratted us out...true story..."

Do you have an author role model or any literary influences from growing up?

Dee: "Well I read widely and still do. However in 1992 I met Jodi Thomas and I have been in a critique group with her since 1999. Along with Linda Broday, Jennifer Archer and Taylor Moore. They have all influenced me but I read a lot of authors."

When was that moment when you knew you were not just another writer but an author?

Dee: "Well, the first thing I published was in 1989 and it was a greeting card. It was my first check ($50) and I framed a copy of it. That was the moment. As far as books, I've had books or partial books writing since I was in Jr high...."

I was crushed and almost didn't go back. But I realized she was right.

That's impressive! How important has that support system been for your development?

Dee: "I realized I had to be willing to constantly learn and do better if I was to grow as an author. I took my first scene to my first critique session with Jodi and just remember her crossing out page after page and telling me how I wasn't fooling anyone by trying to do dialogue only....I was crushed and almost didn't go back. But I realized she was right."

Let's talk about your writing process. What does it entail? 

Dee: "Well I've discovered I'm a planned pantser. Meaning, I do best when I do a short list of what is in each chapter -- plot points, character arcs, some profound lines of dialogue. I put that on a spreadsheet. I NEVER NEVER research first. I learned that ghostwriting. I flesh out the story first, then just go research what is really needed. It is very easy to go down a rabbit hole of research, and you end up with a lot of wasted time on things that don't go in the book, so I never do that.

Have you entered any writing contests?

Dee: "I have entered a few over the years, but this is the first time I won anything!"

Congrats! What are you currently reading? Any favorite romance sub-genres?

Dee: "Actually, I love Christmas books! All romance genres from historical to contemporary or whatever, I just love those stories."

Can you share a book written by an OKRWG author that you would recommend?

Dee: "Well, actually, there is one everyone can put on their preorder list. It's called Wildwood Healer …. It's set in the depression era and has a bit of murder mystery in it as well as love lost. I got to critique this one as she wrote it, and I have to say I think it's the best thing she's ever written. So in love with that book. It came out Oct 8th."

Writing can be full of amusing moments. What's been your funniest typo?

Dee: "OMG it seems I can never type public without it ending up pubic....every single time...."

Why do you think romance has gotten so popular recently, especially on social media platforms like TikTok?

Dee: "lol...it's ALWAYS been the most popular genre. However, I think a lot of younger people who didn't read romance may have laughed it off as their mom's books, but are now realizing that romance fills a strong need in their own lives. But this is true of every generation -- that's how it works no matter how people get information or on what platform."

Not everything you write is going to be profound; that's okay.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to follow in your footsteps?

Dee: "Don't be so hard on yourself and just put words on the page. Not everything you write is going to be profound; that's okay. Just keep going."

Where can we find you online?

Facebook and YouTube