Lisa De Young lives in a small town in Northwest Indiana with her husband and three daughters where she manages a dental office. She enjoys writing fiction in her spare time and her work has recently appeared in The Bleeding Lion.
1. How long have you been writing and what got you started?
My love for the stories my mother read to me as a child and my desire to make up my own got me started writing as soon as I was able to put pen to paper.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Write what you like to read, submit, keep writing what you like, keep submitting…
3. Are there any writing resources, such as books or websites, you’d like to recommend?
I have found Newpages.com to be a tremendous help in submitting my work. The Werdsmith app is great when I think of an idea and I’m not near my computer.
4. What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
Honestly I love YA fiction the best. I enjoy mysteries and thrillers and great fiction that is peppered with unexpected turns and pure imagination. There are so many authors I enjoy but Edgar Allen Poe, Lewis Carroll, J.K. Rowling, Roald Dahl, Scott O’Dell and Dr. Seuss are a few of my favorites.
5. What tips do you have for finding time to write?
I have three kids so finding time to write can be difficult. I carry a notepad in my purse and use the Werdsmith app when I get an idea and I’m not at home. I try to set aside time for myself to write when my children are at school and also find time where I might normally be tempted to do something mindless like sit and watch TV.
6. Do you prefer to outline a story in advance or write on the fly? Why?
I tend to write on the fly when ideas come to me. I always start with the end of the story. As long as I know where I’m going to end up I know I will find a way to get there.
7. How do you deal with rejections?
I never take them personally rather I view them as progress and a reflection of my determination.
8. What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
I would love to compile my short stories into a book.
9. For the next five years?
I would love to have several books on the shelves, internet, etc.
10. Is there anything you’d like to plug?
Feel free to share a link. I do not have a blog or website…perhaps I should work on that. I do however, have another short story “Eleanor” published in The Bleeding Lion.
