The Lake Lights
By: William D. Burt
Let me start by telling you that the cover of this
book, is honestly quite beautiful. It looks mystical, and quite secretive all
at the same time. It is quite artistic, and I honestly like the way it is
calling you in, making you want to open the book, and check it out.
So, that’s what I did. And I must admit, I am glad
that I did. This book, was truly a bit of a mystery, and even suspense, and to
top it off-a pinch of education all wrapped up into one. Thing is, I kept on
reading, because I wanted to know what all the hype was about, and what was
going to happen next. Once you start into this book, there is no putting it
down, simply put, because there is something you will need to know after every
page turn.
The Lake on the cover is meant to be Oswego Lake, and
it is on one of the moonlit nights. Our main character, Jonathan Oliver is
homeschooled. And he has a project to do. For this project, he is going to look
into the source of the lake lights.
Yes, look at the cover of the book again. Jonathan and
his curiosity has him wondering if maybe the marsh is causing the lights, or
maybe some kind of gases.
Eventually, as Jonathan manages to search all around
the lake, he finds an old Prosser mine, and many of its secrets. There are many
old devices within this cave, things Jonathan didn’t even understand.
On top of all of this, Jonathan’s father, Matthew ends
up missing. Luckily, Jon’s grandfather is willing to help decode the things Jon
has found, and figure out even, if they are dangerous, or what. In the meantime,
of all this, the father’s past business partner wants to get his hands on one
of the devices, and has plans of his own, to sell it to an organization up to
no good.
Jon’s discovery cause him to reveal more than he had
bargained for. With all of these discoveries the scientific world can surely
benefit from these findings. The main thing he has to keep warding off, is the
partner who is up to no good, and keep himself a step ahead of him. To do so,
will keep the town from ending up doomed.
This book is action, suspense, and truly entertaining,
because you never know which way to turn, and what will happen next. This is
truly an entertaining five-star must read for any age group! I in fact would
recommend it as a bed time story to read, not because it will put you to sleep,
but because it is seems like that kind of story I personally would like to have
read to me before bed. But, that is just my opinion.
Here are my questions for Mr. Burt:
1. What made you write this
book and how long did it take you?
My
motivations for writing this book were twofold. First, I grew up only about a
mile from the old Prosser Mine on Iron Mountain in Lake Oswego where most of
this title's action takes place. As a boy, I was warned against entering the
mine, which at that time was accessible. The City has since sealed it up. In
writing this book, I frequently visited the Iron Mountain trail and
photographed key vistas and landmarks to ensure my descriptions in the book
were accurate. Second, the subjects of cryptology (creating and breaking
codes), cryptozoology (the search for unknown animals) and Creation Science
have always fascinated me, and I’ve woven all three disciplines into this
title.
To
write and publish this book took me about seven years. To finish the next title
in this series will probably take about a year.
2.
Who designed the cover?
I
designed the cover myself, as I do all my book covers. However, I rely upon the
artistic talents of others—in this case, the inimitable Becky Miller—to execute
those designs (as well as the pen-and-ink illustrations inside). The cover
of The Lake Lights differs from my seven previous book covers (The
King of the Trees, Torsils in Time, The Golden Wood, The Greenstones, The
Downs, Kyleah’s Mirrors and The Birthing Tree) in that it’s not a
painting. Instead, Becky cleverly photoshopped several different pictures into
a cohesive single image. I should add that the fuzzy, floating specks of light
hovering over the lake in the cover image were intentionally left out of focus
to conform to descriptions in the book.
3. Do you have any photos
or descriptions of the characters that you can share with us?
Attached
is a photo roughly depicting Jonathan Oliver from the trailer I created
specifically for this title. In the book, he is described as a freckled,
brown-haired boy of fourteen. His blond sister, a nine-year-old, is forever
getting into his business. Their grandfather, Dr. Roberts, is a grey-haired
paleontologist with bushy eyebrows and a fine sense of humor who ends up
homeschooling his grandchildren.
4. What are you working on
now?
I
am currently working on a sequel to The Lake Lights. It’s too
early to share the title with you, but the plot begins in Lake Oswego and ends
in Scotland. I’ve finished the prologue and first four chapters, and it already
promises to be even more of a blockbuster than The Lake Lights. The Vikings—and
a new, nameless antagonist—are among the characters woven into this work of
mystery and adventure in progress.
5. What motivates you to
write?
I
love words and languages in general. I enjoy manipulating words to create a
particular image, scene, effect or idea. I also enjoy watching my characters
develop and seeing how plot threads intersect and interact with each other to
bring about the denoument. The satisfaction and thrill of creating a unique
work that has the potential to inspire readers and even to change their lives
for the better is simply incomparable.
6.
If you were to get writer’s block, or have ever had it, what do you do for it?
Writer’s
block, more often than not, is merely the result of fatigue and/or lack of
oxygen to the brain. I find that just standing up and walking around (or
engaging in more vigorous exercise) is usually sufficient to recharge my brain
cells.
7.
What suggestions can you offer for the aspiring writers out there?
Don’t
just dabble at writing. Throw yourself into it; give it your all. That’s the
only way you’ll ever come out with something worthy of publication. And don’t
put off writing that novel or poem, because if you do, it might never be
written. Above all, learn the ins and outs of the English language—and find a
good proofreader. Good luck!
8.
How long have you been writing and what inspires you to do so?
I’ve
been writing seriously—and for fun—since about the eighth grade. In high
school, for example, I helped my father edit his published works,
which are still in print. One of my greatest inspirations for writing is the
feedback I receive from my readers, but as I alluded to earlier, just the act
of writing—putting one’s thoughts on digital paper—is its own reward.
9.
What are your hobbies?
I
enjoy edible landscaping, foreign languages, reading, and best of all, writing.
10.
Do you put yourself into your characters?
I
did put myself into the main character in my earlier “King of the
Trees” series. In my new “Creation Seekers” series (of which The
Lake Lights is the first title), fewer of my interests and experiences are
reflected in the characters.
11.
Where is your favorite place to write and why?
Any
comfortable rocking chair, my Apple laptop and a quiet place will do. Rocking
helps dissipate my nervous energy and improves my circulation; I have
difficulty sitting still. I have been a “rocker” since about age five and
have worn out the mechanisms on several chairs. I do my best work in rocking
chairs. (According to my calculations, I travel approximately six miles per day
in my rocking chair, though I don’t actually go anywhere, as my wife is quick
to point out.)
12.
Please share with us your social media and book links:
Book
links:
My
website—http://www.greencloaks.com/
Amazon:
The Lake Lights (paperback version)
The Lake Lights (Kindle version)
Social
media:
13. Anything to add:
Not
that I can think of right now, thanks!
The Lake Lights by William D. BurtMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Let me start by telling you that the cover of this book, is honestly quite beautiful. It looks mystical, and quite secretive all at the same time. It is quite artistic, and I honestly like the way it is calling you in, making you want to open the book, and check it out.
So, that’s what I did. And I must admit, I am glad that I did. This book, was truly a bit of a mystery, and even suspense, and to top it off-a pinch of education all wrapped up into one. Thing is, I kept on reading, because I wanted to know what all the hype was about, and what was going to happen next. Once you start into this book, there is no putting it down, simply put, because there is something you will need to know after every page turn.
The Lake on the cover is meant to be Oswego Lake, and it is on one of the moonlit nights. Our main character, Jonathan Oliver is homeschooled. And he has a project to do. For this project, he is going to look into the source of the lake lights.
Yes, look at the cover of the book again. Jonathan and his curiosity has him wondering if maybe the marsh is causing the lights, or maybe some kind of gases.
Eventually, as Jonathan manages to search all around the lake, he finds an old Prosser mine, and many of its secrets. There are many old devices within this cave, things Jonathan didn’t even understand.
On top of all of this, Jonathan’s father, Matthew ends up missing. Luckily, Jon’s grandfather is willing to help decode the things Jon has found, and figure out even, if they are dangerous, or what. In the meantime, of all this, the father’s past business partner wants to get his hands on one of the devices, and has plans of his own, to sell it to an organization up to no good.
Jon’s discovery cause him to reveal more than he had bargained for. With all of these discoveries the scientific world can surely benefit from these findings. The main thing he has to keep warding off, is the partner who is up to no good, and keep himself a step ahead of him. To do so, will keep the town from ending up doomed.
This book is action, suspense, and truly entertaining, because you never know which way to turn, and what will happen next. This is truly an entertaining five-star must read for any age group! I in fact would recommend it as a bed time story to read, not because it will put you to sleep, but because it is seems like that kind of story I personally would like to have read to me before bed. But, that is just my opinion.
View all my reviews
