Interview with Award-winning Author Elizabeth Byler Younts

Can you share a little about your recent book?

The Bright Unknown is ultimately a story of what it means to belong. When a girl, Brighton, recognizes that while she was born in an asylum it doesn’t mean she belongs there it pushes her to find a true place of belonging. It’s a split time novel placed in the pre-WW2 era and 1990s and the reader will get to meet a lot of colorful characters both inside and outside of the asylum. I’ve been told readers might need some tissues, too.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write to learn more about what it means to be human. Writing gives me the chance to dig deeper into beliefs, behaviors, habits, and so much more. With each book I learn more about myself and about society. All of this affects my horizontal relationships with people around me and also vertically with God. 

How long have you been writing? 

My mom has a photo of me scribbling in a notebook when I wasn’t even old enough to read—I said I was writing. I was always “writing.” I wrote my first novel when I was 11. It was titled Randi’s Will and it was awful. I’m sure it has an inch’s worth of dust on it and that’s the way I like it. I began writing more seriously in my early 30s when I was a young mom. 

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

Things happened far faster than I had anticipated, to be honest. I was in my early-30s and had a completed manuscript for a few agents to look at in September 2012. I became agented that same month (Natasha Kern) and she had a 3-book contract for me with Howard Books by October 2012. It was a whirlwind. I’m extremely grateful for that first chance to write fiction and to my agent! 

Which of your books is your favorite?

That’s very hard to ask! I connected possibly the most deeply with the characters from The Solace of Water but The Bright Unknown was the most difficult book to write so there’s something very special I feel for it as well. The journey I went through with those characters will always stay with me. So I am going to say it’s a tie!  

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

I think my favorite character is DeeDee from The Solace of Water and Angel from The Bright Unknown. DeeDee because she’s the only character I ever wrote who literally just said whatever came to her mind. If you’re not a writer that might sound odd. You might be thinking, “don’t I control what she says?” Yes, I do, BUT… The thing is that some characters are really hard to “hear”, but not DeeDee. She let it all hang out and she didn’t pull punches. While I want to say she was “fun” to write, I can’t, because her content was intense, dark, and heavy; but it was warranted, given what had happened to her. I think, while it hurt, it was a deep dive into grief unlike I ever expected with an entirely sold-out attitude. I let myself go where she did and wrote and wrote and wrote. As for Angel. Angel was the most pure soul that I’ve ever written. I found him as comforting as a warm blanket. I just loved his purity and optimism.

Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.

The Carol Award for The Solace of Water was incredibly meaningful and unexpected. I really did not anticipate winning so much so that I decided not to attend the awards gala event. I was in complete shock watching the live feed with my family. There is something very special about being recognized with an award for a book that you wrote with your heart and soul. However, I would have to still say…awards aren’t everything. I’ve lost more awards than won and it’s okay.  

How long does it take you to write a book?

It takes me a long time. I think the pre-writing phase is what makes my process very slow…like snail-pace sort of slow. I have a hard time getting the initial ideas out of my head and onto the page, to be honest. Once I’ve dug in a bit more then it begins to move at a slow pace…which is as fast as I get. I do tend to torture the entire process with a lot of angst. If I really, really know what I’m writing and the research is either done or well on it’s way, I will still need no less than 9 months. But, in reality, with being a wife and mom and all that goes into that on top of writing, 18 months would be awesome.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I am not a structured writer, unfortunately! So at times it might be early mornings for a few hours and other times it’s late at night. I am always envious of writers who are super scheduled. There are times where that happens for sure, but writing can often look like a bit of a pickle ball match! If you’ve never heard of pickle ball…look it up…it’s my most recent obsession. This is a good thing since I’m not obsessed with much that requires real physical exertion. 

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I think it’s safe to say that I usually have a familiar TV show or instrumental music (otherwise I’ll sing) on in the background. Pure silence tends to hinder me somehow. I enjoy writing in public where there’s activity around me. My home office is very open as a 3rd floor loft so I can hear everything that’s happening in the house and there’s very little that stifles me when it comes to noise and/or activity.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

I believe that the opportunity I have to write is truly a gift from God. I don’t take it for granted and I take it very seriously. My writing is not just a hobby. Being able to have conversations with readers is an incredible joy and getting to know the publishing team I get to work with. Another true joy is sharing the process alongside my family. They are my cheerleaders and biggest fans. I could never do this without them.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

I am not sure I can go into detail how these moments came about but there is a sense of great darkness when you feel that all the hard work has been for nothing. That has crept into my world several times. It’s intense and can be paralyzing. It’s never a good place to linger within. 

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

I don’t know how many times but enough to say that it’s hard. It does make you stronger but let’s not pretend that it feels okay. Let’s also not pretend that all rejection is created equal. I’ve experienced plenty of the sort where you have to let it roll off your back and move on but I’ve also experienced the kind of rejection that makes your heart stop and you feel wounded. It hurts! But it’s not a stopping point; when you’re ready and give yourself an exhale, it can become a jumping off point.

Where do you get your ideas?

LIFE! LIFE! LIFE! and my wild brain. It’s often just random things over time that start melding together and eventually look like something I can write from. Mixtures of conversations, stories, movies, historical events, teaching students, and so many things weave together to create “what if…” questions in my head and then the book begins to form. The initial ideas of The Solace of Water began 6 years before it was published. Ideas linger and develop on their own time. I don’t force any of my stories. 

Who is your favorite author to read?

I love contemporary writers like Marilyn Robinson, Leif Enger, Wendell Berry, Susan Meissner, and Susie Finkbeiner. Then there are writers like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, and L.M. Montgomery who have shaped me in ways I can’t express. Each of these authors have filled my soul in beautiful ways.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

Read a lot! Write a lot! Don’t pity yourself when you see others succeeding. Cheer for them! Go to conferences and join a GOOD critique group. Write the WHOLE manuscript before you even consider finding an agent. And YES, get an agent if you are looking for a traditional contract.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

The thing that I hear often enough from aspiring writers who have a chapter written or just an idea is that they want to know which publishing house they should be considering. That’s flipflopped. Write the whole book! Learn the craft while writing. As I said previously, a good critique group would be a great next step. The critique group I participated with before I was contracted made a huge difference in my life. If everything the other writers say is glowing, question it. If everything is overly critical, question it. There is probably a mixture of both in your writing and a good critique partner or group can see that. A critique group that has published writers who critique with you is ideal!

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

As with nearly any career—be faithful. Nothing is by chance or pure luck. Be faithful.

***Books can be purchased at any retail sites. Brick & mortar stories will likely be able to order it if they don’t carry them.

Award-winning author Elizabeth Byler Younts writes historical fiction for Harper Collins / Thomas Nelson. She gained a worldwide audience through her first book Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl. She is also the author of the Carol award-winning novel The Solace of Water, critically-acclaimed novel The Bright Unknown, and The Promise of Sunrise series. She has consulted on Amish lifestyle and the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect for two award-winning television shows. Elizabeth lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and a small menagerie of well-loved pets.

You can find Elizabeth’s books at any retail sites. Brick & mortar stories will likely be able to order them if they don’t carry them. You can also connect with Elizabeth through her newsletter or social media. (She has taken a brief hiatus from social media but will be re-engaging in the next few months.)

• Website: www.elizabethbyleryounts.com (newsletter sign up here)
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