Writing the world as I see it and telling stories since 2000.
I’ve always believed that words can change the way we see the world. They remind us to slow down, pay attention, and notice the details that usually slip by. My name is James Burge, and I’m a writer, storyteller, and creative who finds meaning in the everyday.
My journey with writing started long before The Shape of Ordinary. It began in Mrs. Pilant’s fifth-grade classroom in 2000, when I wrote a short story called Back in Time. It was about a time traveling man who brought his family along for journey to the past and future (and, admittedly, made very little scientific sense), but it won a Young Writers Competition, and something in me lit up.
That story was the first time I realized how writing could make the imagined feel real. It showed me that writing could connect, comfort, and inspire me and other around me. Decades later, that spark has evolved into a lifelong creative pursuit.
My Writing Philosophy
Writing, for me, isn’t just a craft, it’s a way of seeing.
I write to explore the beauty of life: small rituals, fleeting moments, and overlooked emotions that make up our days. My debut book, The Shape of Ordinary, is rooted in the idea that meaning isn’t something we have to chase; it’s something we can notice, nurture, and shape.
I see writing as both creative expression and cathartic process. It’s how I make sense of the world, how I connect with others, and how I remind myself to stay grounded. My work blends reflection, storytelling, and an undercurrent of optimism, an invitation for readers to slow down, look closer, and find something beautiful in the familiar.
A Bit About Me
I live in Denver, Colorado, where I balance my time between my career in marketing and my passion for writing. When I’m not crafting stories or scribbling notes on my phone, I’m usually reading something thought-provoking, exploring the city’s creative corners, or dreaming about my next travel adventure.
I’ve always been fascinated by how people live, how they build lives, create spaces, and find comfort in routine. That fascination shows up in my writing, whether I’m reflecting on memory, emotion, or creativity itself.
I’m drawn to the intersection of art, humanity, and self-expression, the place where words become more than language; they become a mirror for how we live and who we hope to be.
What You’ll Find Here
byjamesburge.com is my creative hub: a space for reflection, connection, and conversation.
Here, you’ll find:
- Essays about the writing process and the emotional side of creativity.
- Notes and thoughts behind my book, The Shape of Ordinary.
- Personal reflections on life, growth, and meaning.
- Inspiration for writers, readers, and creatives navigating their own paths.
This isn’t a space for perfection, it’s a space for honesty. For showing up as we are, in progress and in motion.
What Inspires Me
Inspiration rarely comes to me in lightning bolts. It arrives quietly, in the sound of rain, the rhythm of conversation, or a sentence that lingers after reading. I’m inspired by conversations, handwritten notes, cozy homes, slow mornings, and the creative spark that shows up when we least expect it.
I believe everyone has a story to tell, even if they don’t think of themselves as writers. Storytelling is our shared language, it’s how we make sense of being human.
That’s what I hope my work encourages: to look closer, to listen deeper, and to remember that every life, no matter how simple, holds extraordinary meaning.
Let’s Stay Connected
Writing is how I connect and I’d love to connect with you.
Follow me on Instagram at @jameslately or subscribe to my newsletter for reflections, updates on new writing projects, and behind-the-scenes notes on creative life.
If you’ve read The Shape of Ordinary or found meaning in something I’ve written here, I’d love to hear your thoughts. My favorite part of being a writer is hearing how words land because once a story is shared, it no longer belongs just to me. It becomes ours.