Home
Author Interviews
Page ONE News
Page ONE Contests
Writer's Wisdoms
Writer's Pages
Writer's Resources
Reflections
Subscribe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Page One
"Every book begins with Page ONE"
home page

 

 

Brenda Youngerman

 

Brenda Youngerman is a single mother who raised her 3 children in southern California when they were not living with their father. She has first hand knowledge of what emotional trauma can do to a family as she was the product of a broken home.

She was the youngest member in a very large family and always felt like she was on the outside looking in. She believes that is how she learned to observe life swirling around her and that has given her the edge to write "Fiction With a Purpose," novels about real people in real life situations. She tries to paint a picture of life as it is to give her readers that ability to see situations from a different point of view. Her goal as an author is to have ONE reader pick up a novel and see a similarity in his or her life and see an opportunity to do something to make their life better.

When she goes out and speaks to large groups the subject of domestic abuse is normally brought up. "Unfortunately, domestic abuse is a subject that literally affects every family in this country, and throughout the world. There is not one person that I have spoken to that does not know a member of their family tree that has been touched by domestic abuse. 

Be it physical, emotional, mental, sexual, alcohol or drug related. All of these forms of abuse can be boiled down to domestic abuse as they alter the way a family lives and behaves.

"Domestic abuse is a quiet demon that affects all walks of life: rich or poor. It is often kept hidden and the victims are ashamed of their fate.I write to shine the light so maybe someone will see that victims are not to blame. I weave a tale incorporating a story of average people getting involved in average issues that they cannot control. My hope is that someone will pick up one of my books and realize that they are not alone, that there are thousands of people available to them, to help them. I do believe that one person can make a difference.  http://www.brendayoungerman.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Brenda Youngerman: I grew up in Southern California and reading was an escape for me. I was an avid reader as a child - mostly mysteries - Agatha Christie, the Nancy Drew stories, Hardy Boys, things like that. I distinctly remember my mother reader The Secret Garden. I also remember going to the library often and checking out books. I think all of those books influenced me to write stories that capture the imagination and have twists in the stories 

 

PageOneLit.com: Why do you write?

Brenda Youngerman: When I started writing it was because I wanted to give the victims a voice. I wanted stories to be told from a point of view that is often not heard. I want a reader to be a part of the story. I want someone to pick up a book and read it and think, "This person could be me, and this isn't quite right, my life doesn't have to be this way. I CAN get help." That is how it all started. But NOW - I can't NOT write. There are so many stories that need to be told that are running in my head every day!


 

 

PageoneLit.com: Your new novel is 'Sorrowed Souls' - Tell us what inspired this story.

Brenda Youngerman: I think I have always had a part of me that took in strays - and I don't mean dogs and cats. I wanted to write a book exposing the way the homeless really live - not the way people think they live - I cannot stand it when I hear "Homeless people are lazy." That is so far from the truth it is ridiculous. If they were lazy, they'd be dead. So, when I went to start Sorrowed Souls the timing was just really poor - the crash of 2008 was all over the news and stories of homeless people made the front page of every paper. So the premise of Sorrowed Souls went from an expose of homeless people to life on the streets.


 

PageOneLit.com: Who is Bryan Tines? 

Brenda Youngerman: Bryan Tines is every person who forgets what is truly important in life in their quest to find true happiness.


 

 

PageOneLit.com: Explain your title 'Sorrowed Souls'  as it relates to the story.

Brenda Youngerman: Every person has a soul and as we evolve and grow we become who we are. The souls of the characters in this book are slowly chipped away as they evolve - bringing them great 'sorrow' - it is not until they actually realize what is truly important that their souls are happy. 

 

PageOneLit.com:  'Hidden Truths' follows four children as they face very different childhoods. Billy Foster is blamed for his mother's death. Wat inspired this original plot 


Brenda Youngerman:  Hidden Truths is a novel about children who hide the abuses of their parents. This book, like all of my books, have characters that take over when I am writing. The plot where Billy is blamed for his mother's death just popped right out of his father's mouth. And from there the story just took on it's own life. 


 

PageOneLit.com: You are busy novelist --  'Sorrowed Souls', "Hidden Truths' , 'Private Scars', and 'Public Lies'. What is your writing process? You must write everyday?

Brenda Youngerman:  I try to write at least one hour a day and for a few hours every weekend. My goal is to publish a new book every year.


 

 

PageOneLit.com: What do you hope to achieve with with your books?

Brenda Youngerman: My goal as an author is to bring to light issues that seem to get swept under the rug and to have people see themselves in situations that might otherwise be overlooked. I hope to also be able to take some readers along for a ride and when they are done have them think, "Is this real?"


 

 

PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?

Brenda Youngerman: I just finished Tailspin by Catherine Coulter

 

 

PageOneLit.com: What's next?

Brenda Youngerman: Restored Hope will be out this summer

 

PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?


Brenda Youngerman: I love to walk on the beach with my dog.

I actively participate with a charity feeding the homeless once a week.
 


 

Home | Author Interviews | Page ONE News | Page ONE Contests
Writer's Wisdoms | Writer's Pages | Writer's Resources | Reflections
Contact Us | Subscribe