COMMENTS ON BROKEN TOWN

 Just finished your second novel.  Loved it.  Here's my favorite passage because I could tell it had you written all over it.  I read it at 5 this morning and literally laughed out loud because I know how you always say the best sleep is always the last 15 minutes!
  "Aberman rolled towards his new alarm clock, bought for half-price at Uniontown’s only K-Mart, a blue-light special. The obnoxious blaring, resembling a trapped hyena, greeted him rudely. He slapped his hand across the clock, and quiet brought peace. What seemed like mere seconds of blissful sleep led to an outburst of the snooze alarm, the feel of an unwanted animal gnawing at his flesh. Next time he bought a clock he’d read the time limit on the snooze button…and buy one whose manufacturer cared more for its sleeping consumers."  

- Brian Hamel

  The newspaper article about your second book got my attention - didn't know you had written a first!  Books-A-Million had none, but I bought both at the Book Rack and have finished both of them.  Soooo good!!!  Truly, they are among my favorites!  I belong to several bridge groups, and every time I change tables I get around to saying what a good author you are, how much I enjoyed the books, and "you'd like them, I know".  I hope word gets around, because your books belong on the 'Best Sellers" list.  Looking forward to your next - soon, I hope. 

- Doris Riordan
                                                                        
  Charlie…I finished "Broken Town" last night. One Word…EXCELLENT!!!!  

- Richard Enniss
 
  Had a hard time putting it down after the trial started.  I thought Brantley must be one of the good guys but it made me wonder when he voted guilty. 

- Jim Boyd

  I loved your book.  I could not put it down!!!!!  Write another one soon!!!! 

- Kathy George

  I finished reading Broken Town this morning.  What a wonderful, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller from beginning to end!  I highly recommend it! 

- Martha Robinson​

COMMENTS ON SUBSEQUENT THOUGHTS

​Frankly, I was expecting a semi-autobiography of a local “country lawyer.” Boy! Was I ever surprised!
  The book is quite interesting, different, and well written. Absent other information, it is obviously the work of a lawyer, but with overtones of expertise from several professions.
  Although the book states that it is a work of fiction, there is in it much evidence of the life experiences of the author. Such indicates that he, as an attorney, has drawn deeply and thoughtfully from his successful professional life. It would be a pleasure to chat with him and hear his stories.  Cordially, 

- Rudolph Singleton 

MANIPULATION BY DEGREE  --  REVIEWS

WRITING IS THE THING FOR ROCK HILL LAWYER

BY TERRY PLUMB  Special to The Herald

   Charlie Burnette, a Rock Hill attorney who has just published his third novel, says the idea for becoming a novelist came from a conversation with the actor Tom Wilkerson.
   Until he was picked as Wilkerson’s double and stand-in for “The Patriot,” the Mel Gibson movie shot partially at Historic Brattonsville in 1999, Burnette’s principal acting credit had been as Herr Drosselmeyer in the York County Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.”
   Burnette landed the film job because he was about the same size as the British actor. He read Wilkerson’s lines as General Cornwallis while the actor temporarily was on another job in England. Based on that performance, he was invited to audition for a minor speaking part in “The Patriot.” He didn’t get that plum, but later, over lunch, Wilkerson kiddingly told him there were three reasons he didn’t get the part: “Too old, too ugly and a lousy British accent.”
   Wilkerson then told him that the best way to land a movie part was to write a novel. If Hollywood wants to purchase the film rights, he explained, you can negotiate a role for yourself. That was all the incentive he needed to start writing.
   Burnette, a Rock Hill native with more than 30 years of courtroom experience, pretty much has given up on the acting career (this year will mark his swan song in “The Nutcracker,” after 15 years), but he’s carved out a niche as an author.
   His third novel, “Subsequent Thoughts,” which he describes as a psychological thriller, recently was released. If it sells as well as his first two novels, Burnette may be able to boast combined sales for all three books of between 4,000-5,000 copies – print or electronic. That might not seem like a lot to James Patterson or John Grisham, but many novelists would be ecstatic with those numbers.
   A working lawyer with three children in college (his eldest completed grad school last year), Burnette says he burns a lot of midnight oil writing and makes use of down time, such as while a jury is deliberating.
   Surprisingly for someone who racks up most of his billable hours on commercial litigation, Burnette’s novels have featured disturbed characters inflicting a lot of pain, physical and mental, on others. Burnette explains that many of the scenes are rooted in cases he handled as a criminal defense attorney early in his career.
   Thomas Edison said that genius was 2 percent inspiration and 98 percent hard work. Barnette says that the inspiration part – when his creative juices start flowing – definitely is the best part of being a writer. Everything else, particularly rewriting, is hard work.
   He seldom shares a book in progress. One exception is when he needs an expert to verify his facts. Schizophrenia figures heavily in “Subsequent Thoughts,” so Burnette ran parts of the novel by someone knowledgeable about mental illness.
   Another exception is when he will read sections at a writer’s group, such as the Rock Hill chapter of the South Carolina Writers Workshop, which meets at Grace Lutheran Church. It’s hard when other writers find fault with his work, he said, but authors must learn to put their egos on the shelf. “If there’s 12 people in the room and 10 are saying the same thing about your writing, you need to listen.”
   Another aspect of being a writer that many novices sluff-off is marketing. Although he contracted with a Charlotte-based publisher for his first novel, Burnette published his other novels himself. Unless an author is well-established, the task of promoting a novel falls mostly on the author’s shoulders anyway. During the next 12 to 18 months, the window when “Subsequent Thoughts” can still be considered a recent release, Burnette will spent many evenings and weekends speaking to book clubs, library groups, bookstore customers – whoever will provide an audience.
   Burnette credits his wife, Marcia, and their children for supporting his writing career. “As long as I don’t miss the important stuff, they’re cool with it,” he said.
   One critical lesson he has learned during his writing career is the importance of mentors. He credits Earl Wilcox, retired Winthrop University English professor, and local playwright/photographer Terry Roueche for encouraging him to write. That’s why he’s quick to support less-experienced writers. “If I hear someone say they think they might want to write, I ask if they have a story to tell. If they say yes, then I tell them they should write it.”
   He advises timid writers not to worry about the prospects of success or failure. “Once the creative process starts to flow and you end up producing a story that other people find compelling, that gives you a great deal of personal satisfaction.”
   For Burnette, longtime lawyer and occasional actor, writing is the thing.

Terry Plumb is a retired editor of The Herald.
Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/entertainment/books/article43425396.html#storylink=cpy

BROKEN TOWN  --  REVIEWS

CHARLIE BURNETTE. COM

SUBSEQUENT THOUGHTS  --  REVIEWS

MISPLACED ATONEMENT -- REVIEWS

COMMENTS ON MANIPULATION BY DEGREE


  Charlie Burnette’s writing races with excitement.  Planted land mines at the reader’s every step, rarely gives pause to catch one’s breath.  MANIPULATION blurs the distinction between truth and fiction, right and wrong and leaves you helplessly lost to save the righteous. 

- Earl J. Wilcox, Winthrop University

  Charlie  Burnette, in his novel, MANIPULATION BY DEGREE, has the unique ability to describe horrendous violence and sex with words so artfully crafted, I could read it to my mother without embarrassment.
​ -  Thomas F. McDow

  Murder, rage and revenge take a back seat to the psychological splendor of mental evolution and manipulation found in this surprisingly unpredictable tale of greed and motivation. -  Nan Morrison, College of Charleston

  I took your book on the road with me and ended up finishing it in two sittings.  You tell a pretty intricate story and I couldn't find a spot that slowed down enough to put it down.  I was pretty amazed at the writing.  Having read all the Grisham, Woods, and Patterson books, it always amazed me how they tell a story.  You have quite a talent for it.
  Having been to many of the places in the book, it was a very visual experience to read it.  Good luck with it and I look forward to the next one.

 - Greg

COMMENTS ON MISPLACED ATONEMENT

​Just finished Misplaced Atonement……I feel as though I’ve been, followed, chased, harassed, imprisoned, beaten, drugged & dragged thru 3 counties!  Not to mention the threats to family & friends, and the emotional loss of property & friends.  I am exhausted!!  I found myself wondering & worrying about Katie as I read, and I knew full well, it’s FICTION!  Good job, Charlie!!!!  I’ll just go relax & unwind with a good, calm James Patterson!!???  You outdid him, on this one!!!
– Dotsy McElveen

Having read the author's previous novels, I was anxious to get a copy of Misplaced Atonement. My plan was to savor it over time, but after the first chapter I could not put it down. His simple and straightforward writing style is captivating in weaving a web of mystery and intrigue.
– Dwight Neese

The fictional town of Reid Corner seems very, very familiar, so familiar that it has me wondering if this is a true story, I know it is not, but wow!!! As I read, I could put myself on the roads and in front of the buildings that were described which made the reading easy. Charlie has a way of telling a story that puts you there, like a fly on the wall. Gripping from the first page to the last. Now, I think I will head over to Main St. and check on that historic house, just to make sure. Great read!
– Cindy Lowe Downing

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