MAKE BELIEVE Blog Tour: Interview with Lynda R. Young

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Make Believe, the fantasy anthology compiled by J. Taylor Publishing, released December 3rd. I hope you’ve all been enjoying the series of interviews I’ve been conducting with the contributing authors all week. Today features our final author:

Lynda R. Young

Lynda R. Young

Lynda lives in Sydney, Australia, with her sweetheart of a husband who is her rock, and a cat who believes world domination starts in the home. Lynda has an adventurous spirit and has traveled the world.

As a chaser of dreams, she found success as a digital artist and an animator, and now as a writer of speculative short stories. She currently writes novels for young adults.

In her spare time she also dabbles in photography and all things creative.

Contact: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

The Interview

W hat is the inspiration behind your Make Believe story (apart from the picture prompt, of course!)?

I wish I could tell you the inspiration for Birthright came as a blinding flash the moment I saw the picture prompt. Alas, I had to work for the inspiration, and that meant writing up copious notes for the main character and giving her a back story. Also, being the rebel that I am, I wanted the set the story in a place that had the opposite environment to the picture prompt. I chose Florida, so that meant research. Once I knew my main character and the setting, the story slowly evolved — after more notes.

What other works have you got published? (Feel free to include links)

I’ve had a few speculative short stories published in small magazines in Australia, along with some published online with AntipodeanSF. One was even narrated on their radio show. I also had a piece published in an Aussie anthology called Short and Twisted 2012 released by Celapene Press. I’m currently throwing most of my energy into polishing a novel for the young adult market.

Who is your literary idol?

I don’t have an idol as such, but I do love the works of Tolkien and Anne McCaffrey’s wonderfully creative universe of Pern. On a more modern note, I also love the writing style of Laini Taylor who wrote Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

What is your personal catchphrase?

Thar’s jam in them thar hills!

What’s your party trick?

If I concentrate, I can move one eye on its own. Freaky, huh?

What song always makes you teary-eyed?

This is going to sound cheesy, but Celine Dion’s song, ‘My Heart Will Go On’, featured in the movie, Titanic, brings a little tear to my eye. That song was popular at the time when my hubby and I first got together. Memory of those early romance days makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

What is one piece of advice you would give a fellow writer?

Remember why you write and try not to get too caught up in the stresses that come with publication.

—

Thank you, Lynda!

Here’s more information about Lynda’s story in the anthology:

Birthright

Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible.

She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she’s never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her.

Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer