Cheryl Burman Empowers Young Writers
As a founder of Dean Scribblers, Burman encourages young people to explore creative writing
Cheryl Burman draws inspiration from Australia and the Forest of Dean, crafting diverse stories across genres, while empowering young writers and weaving history, myth, and personal struggle into her narratives.
Cheryl Burman, an acclaimed author known for her diverse literary works, draws inspiration from her rich experiences in both Australia and the Forest of Dean. These distinct settings have significantly influenced the themes and characters in her stories, providing a deep well of inspiration. Australia, where she was born and raised, serves as the backdrop for her women’s fiction novel “Keepers” and its two spinoffs. Set in post-World War II Australia, these stories are loosely based on family lore, weaving real events into dramatic tales. Burman enjoys crafting new characters by blending the personalities of friends and family, placing them into historical settings they may or may not have visited.
In contrast, the Forest of Dean offers a different kind of inspiration. Having moved there later in life, Burman finds the area’s rich history, legends, and ancient traditions to be a fertile ground for storytelling. The landscape, scattered with remnants of a fascinating past, whispers countless stories to her willing ears.
Burman’s writing spans multiple genres, from middle-grade fantasy to historical fantasy. Her motivation to explore diverse literary landscapes stems from her lifelong passion for reading a wide range of fiction. She views switching between genres not as a challenge but as an opportunity to tell new stories in ways that suit their target audiences. Over time, she has developed her own unique style, or ‘voice,’ which serves as a unifying factor across her works, providing readers with the assurance that they are about to enjoy another ‘Cheryl book.’
Her latest work, “Walking in the Rain,” delves into themes of love, regret, and second chances. The character of Alf, beloved by many readers, was inspired by his situation at the end of “Keepers.” Fans were outraged at his fate, prompting Burman to explore his journey from being a self-sacrificing sidekick to finding his own happiness. Alf’s character arc is steady and thoughtful, marked by moments of inner turmoil and eventual self-realization.
In “River Witch,” Burman explores societal expectations and personal ambitions in 19th-century England. The story was inspired by a real-life account of a Forest of Dean woman tried for witchcraft in 1906. Initially intended as a biographical novel, the lack of detailed research led Burman to embrace historical fantasy, blending elements of myth and legend from the Forest. Themes of empowerment, resilience, and reconciliation naturally emerged as she wrote the story.
As the founder of Dean Scribblers, Burman encourages young people to explore creative writing. This experience has shown her that even young writers have a keen understanding of the world, often portraying deep emotions and a touch of bloodthirstiness in their stories. Her advice to aspiring young authors is simple: keep writing.
Burman’s novels often weave elements of history, myth, and personal struggle to create engaging and relatable narratives. She believes that all readable fiction revolves around personal struggle, the ‘hero’s journey.’ History and myth not only provide the backdrop for her stories but also influence the characters’ behaviors and choices, informing their struggles. In “Keepers,” the social mores of 1951 dictate the characters’ actions, while “River Witch” explores the prejudices of the time and their impact on Hester. For Burman, relevance is key to creating relatable narratives, ensuring that characters are believable within their settings.
