Writing has always been my way of understanding the world, a form of expression that’s equal parts creative and cathartic. My story as a writer began in 2000, in Mrs. Pilant’s fifth-grade class, when I wrote a short story called Back in Time and somehow won our Young Writers Competition.

It was a wild story about time travel, family, and the importance of connectiveness, but what I remember most was the feeling… that rush of creating something out of nothing. Mrs. Pilant told me I had “a voice,” and even though I didn’t know what that meant at age ten, it stuck with me. That moment planted the seed for everything that came next.

Finding My Voice

Writing hasn’t always been easy. Like most creative paths, it’s been full of starts and stops — long stretches of silence followed by bursts of inspiration. But writing has always been my anchor. It’s how I process emotions, connect ideas, and find meaning in everyday life.

Over the years, I’ve come to see writing as a mirror, it reflects what we think we’ve hidden. When I started working on The Shape of Ordinary, I wasn’t chasing perfection; I was trying to make sense of what it means to live fully, to find beauty in simplicity, and to recognize how the smallest moments often shape us the most.

Why I Write

People often ask writers why they do it. For me, the answer is always evolving. I write to remember. To release. To connect. Writing gives me clarity when life feels unclear and connection when the world feels distant.

At its core, writing is an act of empathy, it bridges our personal experiences with someone else’s emotions. What begins as a private reflection often becomes universal once shared. That’s the power of storytelling: it reminds us we’re not alone.

What You’ll Find Here

Welcome to byjamesburge.com, my creative home base. Think of this space as equal parts journal, studio, and coffee shop conversation. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Essays on writing and creativity – honest reflections on the craft, process, and mindset of being a writer.
• Behind-the-scenes stories from The Shape of Ordinary – including what inspired it and what I learned through self-publishing.
• Book recommendations and creative inspiration – for fellow readers and writers looking to spark new ideas.
• Personal reflections – because life, art, and meaning are all connected.

Whether you’re here as a reader, writer, or simply someone who loves words, I hope this site offers comfort and inspiration, a reminder that creativity lives in the ordinary moments of life.

A Final Thought

From that fifth-grade story to The Shape of Ordinary, writing has been my constant companion, sometimes challenging, always revealing. It’s taught me patience, empathy, and the beauty of paying attention.

If you take anything from this post, let it be this:
Writing doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be true.

So here’s to the stories that shape us, the words that heal us, and the courage it takes to keep creating, one sentence at a time.

Welcome to my world of words.

— James Burge
Author of The Shape of Ordinary