Interview with Claudia Mair BurneyBurney


SP: Today we are joined by Claudia Mair Burney. Welcome and thank you for being a part of Soul Pen!

Mair: Hey, Mata. It's a pleasure to be with you and your readers.

SP: Mair, I am so excited about your debut novel, Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man! Introduce yourself to those who may not know you and then tell us a little about your book.

Mair: I'm Claudia Mair Burney. I like readers to call me Mair, and that's pronounced Mier! Like fire! I'm a ragamuffin follower of Christ, Ken's wife, and mother to a small country—at least it seems like it when we do laundry. In 2004 I was blogging my heart out as ragamuffin diva, when a publisher approached me unexpectedly and asked if I would write a novel for his publishing house. That just shows you, God can do anything. Expect God's sovereignty in your career. I was totally unprepared for this opportunity, so I asked myself, "What would I love to write about?" I didn't have time to think about what the publisher would want! I had to think (and write) fast!

I thought about the things I loved, and the things I knew a little something about. I'm a voracious crime show consumer. I wondered, "What if I wrote something that was like CSI, only the forensics science I'd focus on would be more behavioral—with a little of the other thrown in for fun?" I'd studied psychology in seminary, and I did know a little something about that. Dr. Amanda Bell Brown was born, or shall I say born again, but I'll get back to that.

Then I thought, "What if the characters were very much like my friends: multicultural, hip, funny, and most of all, flawed?" A wonderful cast of characters followed. I loved hanging out with them. It's a series, so I'm glad I chose them well. I spend a lot of time with them.

This book is my first published novel. It's truly a dream come true. I wanted to share my dream with the woman who I felt formed me spiritually from the beginning, my maternal great-grandmother. She was a saint —a true, old-school church lady: Mother Amanda Bell Brown. She lived in a time when black women couldn't fulfill the dreams that I can. I hope to give her a little vicarious success through me and fictional Bell. When I said Amanda Bell Brown was born again, I meant that in the books her name lives on.

SP: What message do you want this book to convey to readers?

Mair: You don’t have to be perfect to love God, and be loved by Him. None of the characters in Murder are perfect. They wrestle with what they want, what they actually have, and what they believe God wants for them, but they still hold on to God. That’s real. I also wanted to convey God’s ability to redeem the worst situations we get ourselves into. When they close the book, I hope readers take away some understanding of God’s incredible mercy. It’s never too late for us to forgive, and be forgiven, and it doesn’t matter what it is we need forgiveness for, or what we need to forgive. God has enough grace to cover it all.

SP: How has writing Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man impacted your life?

Mair: The first thing I can think of is, “Wow! I can’t believe I have a book coming out!” It’s one thing to dream for years and years. It’s quite another to be on Amazon! I feel like a real live author now. I can’t get over it.

Best of all, I get to share Jesus. I’m incredibly blessed to be able to be bold about my faith—my very fallible faith in a very loving, merciful Savior.

SP: I think every writer has those days when they just don’t feel like writing or it’s difficult to get started. How do you confront the challenge of writing at times like this?

Mair: I just push on. When I started book two in the series, Death, Deceit, and Some Smooth Jazz I had a huge block. It stalled me for months. Finally, I had to push through and write. It didn’t matter how I felt. I had a book due. The best advice I have for any writer is write. Get the draft down. You can make it pretty later.

SP: What other writing projects are you working on?

Mair: I just finished Death, forgive me for shortening the titles, but let’s face it, they’re endless. I’m about to work on book three, Saints, Suspicions, and a Ticking Clock. After that it’s on to the much shorter titled book, The Exorsistah. At least that’s the title for now. It’s a three book series about a teenaged exorcist. She’s my Jesus freak Buffy, only she slays demons instead of Vampires. All of these are from NavPress. I’m also hoping to sell the ragamuffin diva book soon. It’s a memoir that also features the best of my blog.

SP: It’s been great chatting with you today! Tell readers how they can contact you for more information or simply to say hello.

Mair: You can always find me at my personal blog, ragamuffin diva. The url is ragamuffindiva.blogspot.com. Warning: My blog is not for the faint at heart. I can be terribly honest, with emphasis on terrible. My e-mail is there, or you can contact me at claudia.mair.burney@gmail.com. An author website is coming soon.

SP: Thanks again for sharing your time with us. Congratulations on your debut and be blessed!

Mair: Congratulations on your own wonderful novel. Do you remember the hope we had at the retreat where we met?! It’s all so exciting. May the Lord bless you, and your readers. Lord, have mercy. (I’m Orthodox. We always say, Lord have mercy.) Thanks for having me, Mata.


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