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CG:
The Little Saguaro ~ El sahuarito is about the Arizona desert and you
live in Corvallis, Oregon. What prompted your interest in that part of the country?
Young:
After I graduated from high school in Wichita, Kansas, I decided to go to college at Northern Arizona University
in Flagstaff where I received my BS in 1983.
Arizona is an incredible state with such diverse climates and plant life.
Within a two-hour drive from Phoenix, you transition from the hot, arid Sonoran Desert with its Saguaro Cactus and rattlesnakes
to a much colder environment complete with pine trees and snowstorms. I have to say that m y time in Arizona both as a student
and later, as a resident, was an amazing time of my life.
This story came out of an appreciation for my time spent in
Arizona.
CG:
Your book is also translated into Spanish. Did you know this was going to happen
when the publisher accepted your manuscript?
Young:
Honestly, when I sent the manuscript
to the editor of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Book Press, all I knew was that I loved the story and wanted to find a good home
for it. My editor, Dr. Rick Brusca, asked me if I would consider a bilingual format, and I was thrilled.
The publishing
experience with the ASDM was amazing because Dr. Brusca and illustrator /museum botanist, Kim Duffek, included me on every
step of the process.
The Little Saguaro ~ El sahuarito is an outstanding example of how various personal strengths
involved in a project, whether by writing, illustration, translation, or scientific information gathering can result in such
an exquisite end product.
CG:
How long was the process between writing the book, finding
a publisher and seeing the book actually get into print?
Young:
I don't want to scare
anyone, but this process took two and a half years from inception to final product. I wrote the story in the late summer of
2005. Realizing this story was fairly limited as far as market potential, I researched publisher catalogues for those located
in the Southwest US.
I was amazed how many publishers there were in Arizona and New Mexico. Since the Arizona ~ Sonora
Desert Muyseum had a book press, I sent the manuscript off immediately. Within a few weeks, I had a personal response from
the editor, thus beginning the journey to publication.
CG:
What other projects are
you working on?
Young:
I have a tween fiction project in the works. I've been working
with my agent, Andrea Brown, and I'm hoping to get the green light soon.
I also have two adult fiction works completed,
one is a thriller and the other is a holiday novel. I am also have a few screenplays that I'm working on.
I guess
you might say I'm a bit eccentric with my subject matter...I rather think of it as writing what you love.
CG:
Care to comment on your writing work habits - how you write, where you do your writing, how long each day, etc?
Young:
My favorite place to write is my sunroom. There is something so freeing about having
nothing between you and life other than fresh air, sunshine, and especially the rain.
I always start with the
title and the last line of the book. Guess I'm a bit quirky that way.
I seek out the most cut-throat critiquers
I can to shred my manuscript. If they don't do it, and editor will...and by that time it's too late. Welcome a good,
solid critique even if your heart breaks, thank the critiquer, take a deep breath, and trust your instincts.
Let the
critique sink in overnight before you start slicing and dicing. I've known writers who have freaked out and dumped
great stuff because they didn't stay true to their gut instincts.
Never erase anything permanently!
Never
shy away from rejection. It's the only way writers learn to accept success.
And finally, write what you love,
love what you write. Don't submit a manuscript until you edit it to death. If you get sick of it, that's okay...you'll
know you've done your best.
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