Order your
signed copy!
Love Me If You Must Kill Me If You Can
Kiss Me If You
Dare
Sign up for my author newsletter to get the latest updates on my books!

Q: What
made you decide to become an author?
A: IÕve
always been a writer. But to me, trying to become published fell in the same
category as wishing to be a rock star. It just wasnÕt something you went after
in real life. I realized my thinking was fear-based, not faith-based. In 2000,
I decided to go for it, not knowing if my efforts would ever pay off.
Q: What
steps did you take to reach your goal?
A: IÕve
always been a big reader and love the classics. They gave me a great foundation
for writing.
I read a lot of books in the genre I hoped to write. I thought
that would be sufficient. But when I tried to write a chapter, I couldnÕt make
the words do what I wanted. I felt like a child using crayons to create the
Mona Lisa. I knew I needed help.
I ordered books on the craft of writing. I read them, then tried
another chapter of my novel. IÕd graduated from crayons to colored pencils, but
still nothing that would get the attention of an agent or editor.
One of the books IÕd purchased had a list of associations for
writers. I got on-line and joined American Christian Romance Writers, now American Christian
Fiction Writers.
As part of ACFW, I joined an on-line critique group of five women.
Their honest feedback, though at times painful, did the most to improve my
writing skills. Three other members of Crit15 are now published authors: Christy Barritt, Mary
Conneally, and Suzan Robertson.
I also attended writers conferences and submitted my work in
writing contests.
A: I
finished an historical novel IÕd worked on for two years and sent it out. I got
my share of rejections from both publishers and agents. In order to justify
staying in the game, I needed a sale. I decided to start from scratch and write
contemporaries, which seemed to be getting better reception from publishing
companies.
My big break came when I took first place for romantic suspense in
the 2004 ACFW Noble Theme Contest. I went on to take best of show, sponsored by
an agent. With only ten completed chapters of Love Me If You Must and the winning
first chapter of Kill
Me If You Can, the agent managed to negotiate a contract for the three-book Patricia
Amble Mystery Series with Revell.
Q: YouÕve
achieved your dream of being a published author. Now what?
A: I hope to settle into a productive full-time
writing career with stories that not only entertain readers, but also challenge
them to examine their own lives. IÕm staying focused on improving my
relationship with God and others, my writing, and my music. IÕm doing what I
love, and success is the natural outcome.
Contact Author Home Press Page
Copyright 2007 Nicole Young. All rights reserved.