Interview with author Nicole Young

Q: What made you decide to become an author?

A: I’ve 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 wasn’t 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: I’ve 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 couldn’t 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. I’d graduated from crayons to colored pencils, but still nothing that would get the attention of an agent or editor.

One of the books I’d 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.

Q: How did you take what you learned and make it work for you?

A: I finished an historical novel I’d 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: You’ve 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. I’m staying focused on improving my relationship with God and others, my writing, and my music. I’m doing what I love, and success is the natural outcome.

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