Interview with R. L. Young
Published 2014-04-15.
Describe your desk
My desk is most often at the corner of my couch on the laptop. I enjoy the casual writing environment most days, others I need a coffee shop and distractions to focus the energy writing brings.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in rural Appalachia, 100 acre farm away from any semblance of urban areas. I created stories of everything I saw and the rural life I saw around me everyday. I had a couple of amazing teachers early on who encouraged my writing and I couldn't get enough of writing stories and creating differing perspectives on traditional themes.
When did you first start writing?
I don't ever remember not writing, from the time I could write. My first writing contest was when I was in 3rd grade, I won and fell in love when writing all over again.
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book lends a perspective of the early child abuse, adoption, alcoholism, recovery and a career in mental health with the high acuity clients. It is deeply personal and very anxiety provoking to have it out in the literary world.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I love having the control over my own creations, getting feedback and input from those I trust and admire. However, it is also a huge learning curve for me and the trial and error has been slow.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I love that Smashwords allows me to do promotions, free downloads and just an overall versatility to reach multiple audiances.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The creative process. I love to create in a variety of genres. I write poetry under jo Lang, fantasy and some other projects under CJ James.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything! They are the muse of motivation, the breathe to keep the creative process.
What are you working on next?
I am currently working on book 2 of the fantasy series - Temperance of Regan Niobe; as well as a third poetry collection.
Who are your favorite authors?
There are many: C S Lewis, Robert Frost, all time is William Shakespeare, Anne Rice, Becket, Greg Wilky, Anne McCaffrey, Fulkner, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickenson and just about any English poet and novelist long since lost.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I have always maintained working with high acuity clients with severe mental illness, mostly forensic mental health the past few years. I also raise two amazing children and enjoy my downtime with family.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Recommendations of others, searching categories, and mostly word of mouth or social media.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I remember the first one that won a writing contest when I was in 3rd grade. It was about a duck who got lost and went on a journey before returning home.
What is your writing process?
It is more of an obsession than a process. Sometimes it comes on in a fever and I can not not write; it torments my being until I get it on paper.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Anything by Shakespeare - he is the master storyteller
The Prince of Tides - so relatable and real
The Bible - songs, poems, parables, history, culture, romance, wars, etc all in one place
Dragon Riders of Pern - Any of Anne McCaffrey's books are amazing, so far ahead of their time.
Babylon Confidential - Claudia Christian's raw honest approach gave me an option for living
What do you read for pleasure?
Pleasure reading is really what ever strikes my liking at the time: YA fantasy, romance, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, and anything recommended will generally cross my path at some point.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle Fire - I love it.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
My parents, especially my father, read The Bible to me when I was very young and the language engulfed me with a fascination for literature.
How do you approach cover design?
I prefer to use my pictures and a cover template. However, I would love to learn more about creating my own with more options.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Social media so far. I am fairly new to indy publishing and have a lot to learn about this aspect of publishing.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My service to others as I continue to work in the mental health field.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
Undaunted
by R. L. Young
R.L. Young shares her journey, a personal perception of the events that lead to this point, and the hope that recovery is possible. TSM's spokesperson, Claudia Christian, states, "...Undaunted is an unflinching look at a life at full blown battle….a war within her soul and a confederacy of abusers at every turn. [She] won that war and I am grateful that The Sinclair method had a hand in helping.."
