"Campus Life: First Term" - Interview with Author Kelvin Young

Kelvin Young is an avid reader and resides in the Midwest (US) with his husband and three dogs. Kelvin was inspired by his husband to write this story. He enjoys those passionate moments that could be and those that are. A simple look from across the room, a not-quite-graze of the leg under the table, and the simple passions that quicken the breath.

In today's interview, Kelvin discusses the inspiration behind his writing and how real life inspired fiction.

What inspired you to write this novel?

KY: I have played around with writing for years. I’ve written a few unpublished works in the fantasy genre. I was on vacation and finished my book when I came across an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story. It was the first time that I’d ever read MM romance. Then I read two MM erotic novellas. I enjoyed those and thought, I can do that! So, really it was to prove to myself that I could do it. I could write it, put it out there for the world, and not give up when told no.

What is your writing process like?

KY: This is fun. I play around for a few days, trying to figure out a story. I see things around me: people, places, and interactions until something piques my interest. I usually just zone out and let my mind wander through all the possibilities of what is happening around me.

How do you approach writing your characters and bringing their relationships to life?

KY: I try to put myself into their shoes and try to figure out what they feel and how they would react. I’m a very sarcastic person in life, and I find sarcastic humour to be funny. With my first novella, Summer’s Secrets: Book 1 of the Curious, I started off with Alaric. When I added Jerry, I thought, who would Alaric hang out with? And that’s how Jerry and Nick were created. When I introduced Alaric’s son, I thought, if Alaric was my dad, what kind of kid would I have turned out to be? Then, when adding Milo’s friends, who would I hang out with?

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

KY: Besides uttering ‘damnit!’ really loud as a kid and all the adults stopped and looked? I loved Calvin and Hobbes. It was witty in sarcasm but had a childish imagination to it. I think that it shaped my personality from a young age.

What is the most challenging part of your artistic process?

KY: Getting past a block. This is the worst thing in the world. I sat down and wrote Campus Life: First Term in 8 days. It flowed from my fingers. I have another that I was several chapters into it and: Where are they going? Still, no clue. Best, just start it up from where I left off and continue until it comes to me. Then edit like hell.

What do you hope readers take from this story?

KY: I hope, from Summer’s Secret, they get what they need. It is an MM erotic story. Did they pick it up for the sarcastic banter? For the age difference? For the sex? For that moment, of feeling that first time again? Truly, that’s what I want: Someone to feel that first time again. That first falling in love, or the first time you were nervous because of a boy, that first kiss, those urges, and the confusion and the life of it all. People forget what those feel like, and I think that is sad.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

KY: Stop taking it so seriously. People say no, so find a way. I heard ‘no’ so many times when submitting that I finally just stopped. Then came the era of online publishing, but I ignored it. I could’ve been writing this the whole time, but I let a bunch of people who don’t know me read a few lines on a screen and ruin my dream. Don’t give them the power to control you like that. Especially in today’s world of online and technology.

What’s your favourite under-appreciated novel?

KY: Dragon’s Winter by Elizabeth A. Lynn I thought it was amazing!

What would your advice be to any aspiring writers?

KY: Go for it. It can be tough, but what isn’t the first time you have done it?

What are you writing next?

KY: As I’m typing this out I put out Campus Life: First Term two days ago. It is an MM erotic novella. I am writing an MM romance about the God of Love and I am starting another MM romance about a high school boy.

College is supposed to be the best time of your life. . . What happens when it isn’t--

Andrew was living the dream until he moved to college with his girlfriend. “Know what you are getting into because love changes when the situation changes,” his grampa told him.

Everything in life seemed to be going wrong, but one day, after an incident in the quad, something went right—Connor.

Moving in with Conner, Andrew found himself in a foreign situation. There was something about his new roommate. . . was this a boy crush? Did Connor like him back?

Thoughts become actions, and actions become emotions until life throws another curveball.

Author’s Links

Goodreads| Amazon|

Thank you again to Kelvin for a wonderful interview. Summer's Secret and Campus Life are both available on Amazon now.