Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a full-time writer with 15 books currently published in my own name and have almost finished another on creative writing. I have very definite niche areas in writing – I write murder mysteries because these are the types of books that I love to read when I find some free time and I write self-help and development books because I qualified as a stress management counselor and addiction therapist some years ago. As a qualified teacher of creative writing and journalism with many years teaching part-time at college, I also write books that utilise my experiences in this area too.
I moved from the UK to France where I live a little bit of a nomadic lifestyle. Even though I am the editor of The Creative Competitor- a very busy writers resource website, I’m fortunate in that I can manage my business (with a great team behind me in the UK) while on the road. Being a full-time writer is the perfect job for me as it satisfies my need to travel. I have spent the last few years travelling through France and currently live in a house nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. Another house move is on the cards later this year though. I’ve always said…”Have laptop – will travel.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am always working on several projects at a time and they may be in very different niche areas. I find that working this ways keeps my attention and focus sharp. My most recently published book was: Emotional Abuse – Get Out of My Head and Out of My Bed and this has become my best-selling book. It’s a very personal book revealing some of my own experiences and I wanted to reach out and to help others who have experienced abusive relationships.
My next book – about to be published is Creative Writing – Create Dynamic, Believable Characters. This is another area in which I am passionate – I read many scripts and manuscripts with less than charismatic or believable characters and I think when writing any type of fiction, those characters have to be alive and kicking so that the reader connects fully.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can have several books on the go at once and am often already making notes for potential new ones at the same time. This style of organisation and writing suits the way my brain works. I am inspired constantly by people, landscapes and events and always find myself thinking, ‘I wonder if that might make a good book.’
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a huge Agatha Christie fan. I grew up reading about Poirot and Miss. Marple and I love the way Christie created characters that are compelling in their own right. She created and utilised their unique traits perfectly and as a result, these characters live on.
What are you working on now?
I am currently turning my published The Fiction Writer series of 5 books into a collection so people can buy them individually, depending on their development niche or, buy them all and brush up on their writing techniques in one go.
I also have a half-written book on codependent relationships which will sit alongside my emotional abuse book. Busy, busy….
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I always add any books on promotion to this site but do tend to promote heavily on Twitter and use Facebook too.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write as much as possible, absorb life and use every experience while continuing to perfect the many writing techniques. I believe the best writers are passionate about the written word and every sight, sound and event fuels the need to write with greater conviction. In the end, sheer determination can reap rewards.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.
What are you reading now?
At the moments I am reading some marketing books but in terms of fiction, I am dying to read the Monogram Murders – the new Agatha Christie written by Sophie Hannah.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My imagination is overflowing with ideas and I have the urge to write more fiction. I am taking the protagonist from my novel Who Killed September Falls? Arianne Tawnison is a journalist and now a reluctant solver of murders- her natural curiosity and ability to dig deep beneath the surface means she is always getting herself into danger. While writing the novel, I knew I needed to carry her character forward as she made me shed real tears as well as make me smile, as such, she is already starring in Secrets at Cranridge Manor and I have great plans for her.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Monogram Murders
Miramont’s Ghost
Blood Magick
Author Websites and Profiles
Annette Young Website
Annette Young Amazon Profile
Annette Young’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account