November 2009: Greetings on this my first blog entry, as well as the launch of a brand new website: i.e., Gerry Burnie's Books. Com. It occurred to me that it would be advantageous to have all my books in one 'basket,' so-to-speak, so I have consolidated them under the bi-line: Canadian history from a gay perspective.

As stated on the front page, this is my mission. It first came to me while I was researching Two Irish Lads, and grew as I continued on with Coming of Age on the Trail. There is all sorts of first-hand information on my American cousins, but precious little regarding Canadian pioneers; consequently, I decided to combine fiction with history to make the latter a little more palatable; also a bit more human in character.

It has been a learning process

My writing experience started when, in 2003, I casually announced to my cronies around the bar that I was going to write a novel. Five years later--and twenty-or-so rewrites (at last count)--the Two Lads was launched. As I joked to one of my colleagues, that is the equivalent of a PHD thesis.

How well I remember the thrill of seeing my first novel in print, but by then I was already working on Big Sky. It was somewhat easier on account of having 'cut my teeth' on the first effort, so it came out a year later (Spr. 2009), and Coming of Age on the Trail is scheduled for Spr. 2010. Number four, Boy-Who-Makes-Wooden-Box-Sing, is also in the works and should be completed by Spr. 2011--God willing at my age.

If this seems a bit rushed, I should explain that my writing-day is generally 8 - 10 hours long; seven days a week (holidays included). When you're retired you can do this sort of thing; provided you live alone as well.

Adversity keeps me on schedule, too

I should add, as well, that I am presently wheelchair-bound on account of a broken hip that doesn't seem inclined to heal itself any time soon. It happened in June; one of those freak accidents that can change one's life in an instant--I caught my toe on the office chair. To date I am unable to stand or walk without a walker, but otherwise I am learning to cope quite well. I can get in an out of the house on my own, and drive to my favourite restaurant for breakfast. I have also learned to make my bed from a wheelchair--try it sometime.

While I'm on the topic of drawbacks, I should mention that it kept me from working in my favourite, summer retreat--my "cottage-in-the-back-yard"--which was probably the unkindest break of all. Throughout the long winter months the one thing that kept my spirits from sagging was the thought of working in the gazebo. Alas it was not to be, so now I will have to dream of next summer, instead.

A few of my favourite things

Besides writing and the gazebo, I readily admit that my next, hedonistic pleasure is food. You wouldn't think so from the fellow in the above photograph, but eating (good food) is one of my distinct pleasures in life. I am particularly drawn to spicy--e.g. Thai, East Indian and Jamaican--and could wax poetic about a variety of  curry dishes. I find, as well, that the most authentic dishes are often found in the most unlikely places. For example, I have found the best Curry Lamb yet in a 'mom-and-pop' restaurant in Orillia, Ontario. Sam Grover. of Grover's Family Restaurant, serves the best curries imaginable. Man does not live by words alone!

Discovering new and interesting facts about a variety of topics, history in particular, occupies a very fond niche in my heart as well. Needless to say, therefore, Trivial Pursuit ("Classic" edition) is one of my favourite games.

Reading is another real pleasure. After the writing day has ended I generally read for 2 - 3 hours to relax. This keeps me from 'writing'--in my mind--all night as well. I have also combined this with writing reviews for fellow-scribes (see, "Favourite Authors").. It is a two-way street because I learn a great deal this way. Like most academic pursuits it is an ongoing experience.

In closing...

I hope you have found this visit an interesting one, and that you will drop by again. Let me hear from you as well.

Warmest regards, Gerry.