An interview with
Douglas Young
Tell us one of your first experiences where you realised that language had power.
Perhaps the first time I learned the potential impact of language was when I was in college and my father read an essay of mine reminiscing about my paternal grandparents. To my shock, for the first time I saw him cry as he hugged me after reading it.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would you say?
The sooner you start writing, the less anxious and more confident you'll be.
Have you ever written under a pseudonym?
Why would I ever use a pseudonym? Why would I want anyone else to get credit for all my hard work? Why would I submit anything for publication if I was ashamed to put my name on it?
What kind of research do you do for whatever it is you’re writing?
I research essay topics when needing data, dates, sources, and quotes.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of a different gender to you?
I haven't found it more difficult to write about characters of the opposite sex. Hopefully all my characters are rooted in observation.
Do you believe in the dreaded Writer’s Block?
To write something for publication, I need to be inspired. There has to be a subject I'm emotionally fired up about. The trick is to find a topic that will sustain my interest long enough to write a short story, essay, poem, or novel.
Perhaps the first time I learned the potential impact of language was when I was in college and my father read an essay of mine reminiscing about my paternal grandparents. To my shock, for the first time I saw him cry as he hugged me after reading it.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would you say?
The sooner you start writing, the less anxious and more confident you'll be.
Have you ever written under a pseudonym?
Why would I ever use a pseudonym? Why would I want anyone else to get credit for all my hard work? Why would I submit anything for publication if I was ashamed to put my name on it?
What kind of research do you do for whatever it is you’re writing?
I research essay topics when needing data, dates, sources, and quotes.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of a different gender to you?
I haven't found it more difficult to write about characters of the opposite sex. Hopefully all my characters are rooted in observation.
Do you believe in the dreaded Writer’s Block?
To write something for publication, I need to be inspired. There has to be a subject I'm emotionally fired up about. The trick is to find a topic that will sustain my interest long enough to write a short story, essay, poem, or novel.
