Welcome back to novelist Jean Burgess! Today we’re chatting about her newest women’s fiction, Navigating Her Next Chapter: A Retro Novel.
Bio:
For over 40 years, Jean Burgess has told stories on stage as a theater director and actor. Her debut fiction, That Summer She Found Her Voice, was published in April 2024 by Apprentice House Press (here’s our interview for this book!). The sequel, Navigating Her Next Chapter: A Retro Novel, will be released by Apprentice House on April 14.2026. Burgess has also written a nonfiction, Collaborative Stage Directing, published by Routledge (2019). She presents writing workshops, speaks at conferences, and freelances as an editor. Burgess holds a Masters in Theatre from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Educational Theatre from New York University. Her professional memberships include The Authors Guild, Eastern Shore Writers’ Associaion, and Maryland Writer’s’ Association, for which she volunteers as a Teen Writing Club advisor.
It’s great to have you back, Jean. Please tell us about your newest release.
I’m excited about my latest fiction in my Retro series, set in the fast-paced world of NYC of the 1980s. Readers will follow Margie Steven’s career and personal journey from her small-town roots to the Big Apple. She befriends a cross-section of interesting characters while she explores career options and faces difficult life challenges along the way. It reads a bit like the TV series “Friends” but set in the 80s.
What inspired you to write this book?
First, I actually lived in New York City in the early 1980s – not to pursue a writing career like my protagonist, Margie, but rather as a “starving actor.” I was inspired to draw from many of my personal experiences, my love of the city, my creative highs and lows, my self-doubts, etc. and apply these to this fictional story.
Second, I adore adding historical or period research into my Retro fictions as a way to enhance social-political themes. The early 1980s in NYC offered a lot food for thought for a history geek like me.
A fun example of weaving my personal experience into my protagonist’s story can be seen in this excerpt, when Margie’s new roommate, Crystal, gives her a tour of the crummy sublet apartment that will be her new home:
“Welcome to your new maison, Margie.”
We entered the small kitchen with all the usual appliances, however outdated: refrigerator, sink, a tiny gas stove, and, to my shock, a shower stall sitting next to the sink complete with a rickety wooden step to aid the user. I’d never seen a shower still smack dab in the middle of a kitchen before.
“Okay, shower in the kitchen…so where’s the bathroom?” I asked.
“The toilet’s in there. Light’s on the outside.” Crystal pointed to a door next to the shower.
I hit the switch and opened the door. Something strange caught my eye. Several somethings – small and scurrying and wriggling. Bugs!
“Crystal. There are bugs all over the floor. Ugly, creeping bugs!”
“Oh, right. Cockroaches. It’s a New York thing. It’s all part of living in the city.” Not a wonderful benefit as far as I can figure.
What’s the next writing project?
My Retro readers are asking: Will there be more to this Retro series? Will there be a Book #3? The answer is yes. I’m in the research and outlining stage now. No spoilers at this point, though.
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
It really depends on the book. Each book I’ve written has been unique in terms of challenges. Sometimes the challenge is the plot structure, as with the many episodes I had to organize for That Summer She Found Her Voice. Sometimes it’s weaving in the social themes and connecting them in a meaningful way so that they don’t seem imposed onto the story. This wasn’t so much a challenge with Navigating Her Next Chapter but rather more of an exercise in intentionality. With my next book in the Retro series, my new challenge is to make sure I am clear on what I want the book to say. I feel I need this foundation in place in order to move forward.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
I touched on historical/period research earlier but I’ll reiterate. I do use research and several research strategies for my Retro books set in the 1970s and 1980s. These include newspaper/magazine article (archives), image-based resources, personal interviews, onsite visits, historical societies collections, among others.
I develop a very loose outline for my story and insert research questions throughout. (I will admit that this original outline rarely stays intact through my process.) Even after my first draft, first revision, second revision, I may seek out additional research to fill in, confirm, even strike out sections.
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
I’m afraid I’m rather boring when it comes to a writing space. I have a writing office. I do love my dual monitors on my desk and could never live without them. One thing I do while writing is utilize vision boards, large bulletin board leaning against my bookcases, filled with images of the world of my recent book. In the case of Navigating Her Next Chapter: A Retro Novel, I had one board filled with NYC landmarks like Radio City Music Hall, Central Park, Greenwich Village, a retro diner, CBGBs, graffiti-filled subway car – all circa 1980s. Another board was filled with 1980s women’s and men’s clothing and accessories and hair styles plus a floor plan of Margie and Crystal’s apartment. I’m a visual learner and rely on visual stimuli.
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I love the historical fiction of Fiona Davis and Pam Jenoff. I adore the work of Thrity Umrigar, who writes contemporary fiction about India and her Indian-American roots. I try to support local Maryland writers whenever I can and write mini-reviews about their works in my author newsletter.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
I simply want to thank readers for learning more about me and my writing journey today. If you feel inclined, hop over to my website, sign up for my fun newsletter, “Jean’s Writerly News,” and stay in touch.
Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!