1.) Do you use pictures as inspiration at the start of a book?
Yes! In fact pictures are one of my favourite starting points. When I’m researching my books set in 1919, the black and white pictures are wonderfully evocative. I might come across a picture of a woman who’s nervous of being photographed, unsure about the camera, and the touch of hesitancy on her face is beautifully caught. I wonder what she was thinking and then I’m in her head, writing her story. It’s the same with pictures of places, buildings, shops, scenes, my imagination goes into overdrive and from pictures I create my characters and settings. I love working with old maps too for the same reason.
2.) What is your favourite period drama?
Gentleman Jack. I really love it and am looking forward to watching the next series. It reminds me a lot of my own books in that the female characters are so very determined and strong and go against the norms of the day in order to do all they can to help their families.
3.) Are the titles of your books important?
I’m not precious about titles. I leave them to the publisher and trust their judgement as they know what sells and what readers like. Almost all of my original working titles for each book have been changed and I have no problem with that at all. I think it’s because I wrote so many short stories for women’s magazines and they often changed the titles to best suit their market and readership, so you get used to having things changed. It’s all about letting the professionals take your work and you have to trust them as they know what they’re doing and I don’t. However, saying that, when I’m allowed to keep my original book titles, it feels very special indeed.
4.) If you’re struggling with a scene or difficult character, what methods help you through it?
If I’m struggling with any writing, I simply do what I call a ‘brain dump’ onto the page, I just type and type and see what comes out. I don’t stop to think, I just write it out of my head Then I go back and tidy it up and knock it into shape or delete it and try again later when I’ve given it more thought. As for characters, to help me overcome difficulties I start each character with a brief pen portrait. Then I try to get to know them in advance of writing, so they feel like friends by the time I put them into my story and usually they don’t fight back… too much!
5.) Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Oh, a definite early bird. I think best in the morning with coffee and snacks (cheese scones or buttered crumpets). Afternoons are for admin and emails and all the other rather dull but necessary things that a self-employed writer needs to do.
6.) Who’s your favourite author? Why?
Margaret Atwood has always been my favourite. She has a style of writing that can take my breath away. I’ve been known to read the same sentence of hers over again, it can stop me in my tracks with its perfection.
7.) Do you have a pet peeve?
I have long legs and can never find jeans long enough to fit. Oh, you mean about writing? No peeves, not really, I love it so much that even the peeves are part of the process.
8.) Can you tell me a little about your next project?
I’m about to start writing my 8th saga for Headline. As with the others, it’ll be set in the northeast village of Ryhope in 1919. Ryhope is where I was born and bred and I love researching the history of the village. I’ll research (my favourite part of the whole process) for about 4 to 6 weeks before planning loosely and then begin the scary, wonderful task of writing and disappearing into the past.
** For the blurbs and bio links for all of Glenda’s books, go to her Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glenda-Young/e/B0077OXHBQ?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1627374600&sr=8-1
BIO:
Glenda Young writes gritty sagas set in a northeast mining village in 1919 and cosy crimes set in modern-day Scarborough. She is published by Headline. The books are standalone and can be read in any order. She has also written TV tie-in books for ITV’s Coronation Street and is an award-winning short story writer. She was one of six finalists in the coveted Clement & Le Frenais comedy award in 2019. Glenda also has a unique claim to fame, she’s the writer of Riverside, a weekly soap opera published in The People’s Friend magazine since 2016.
Glenda’s website is http://glendayoungbooks.com
Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/flaming_nora
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GlendaYoungAuthor
BIO:
Glenda Young writes gritty sagas set in a northeast mining village in 1919 and cosy crimes set in modern-day Scarborough. She is published by Headline. The books are standalone and can be read in any order. She has also written TV tie-in books for ITV’s Coronation Street and is an award-winning short story writer. She was one of six finalists in the coveted Clement & Le Frenais comedy award in 2019. Glenda also has a unique claim to fame, she’s the writer of Riverside, a weekly soap opera published in The People’s Friend magazine since 2016.
Glenda’s website is http://glendayoungbooks.com
Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/flaming_nora
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GlendaYoungAuthor