Bits and Bobs, Thinks and Thoughts from Melissa
This waterfall at Silver Dollar City has become my favorite spot to sit and write. It’s lovely and peaceful, with the excitement of the theme park just around the corner.
What–you never heard of an author who writes at theme parks before? You have now!
My Top 5 Books of All Time
- IT, Stephen King
- The Shining, Stephen King
- The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
- Black Sheep, Rachel Harrison
- The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
- Bonus: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis, because it’s the book that taught me to love reading
The first story I ever wrote was called, “Annie Goes to Arkansas.” I was six at the time, and when I proudly showed my first grade teacher, she told me it wasn’t a real story because I hadn’t drawn pictures. Note to any teachers out there: Don’t be like that!
This is how crazy the wind was on the day I went to the Old Chain of Rocks bridge in St. Louis to shoot the cover photo for River Crossing. Despite the wind, I took nearly 300 pictures to come up with the one I needed. At one point, I said, “I wish I’d thought to bring chalk.” Steve, who is diabetic, pulled his glucose tabs from his pocket and said, “These taste like chalk.” They worked!
When I was a kid, I read a book with a chapter titled, “If You Don’t Like Conversation, Skip This Chapter.” I still remember it, because I remember thinking, Who on earth doesn’t like conversation? That’s the best part! So now I say to you: If you don’t like conversation, maybe you should skip my books!
If I were both rich and alone in the world, I would live in a camper van and spend my life traveling from theme park to theme park. I could LIVE at theme parks. Yummy food, fun shows, beautiful and inspiring sights, plus all the people watching a writer could wish for. Alas, I am not rich, and yay, I’m not alone in the world. So, I invented a character to live that life for me instead!
And on that note, here’s some favorite photos I’ve taken at theme parks!
Melissa Burnett 