Friday, January 31, 2014

Patricia Bradley: An Interview With An Amazing Debut Author

Please welcome back to Everyone's Story a dear friend, blog viewer, past guest, and now… ta-da… published author in book length fiction, Patricia Bradley. I have looked forward to making this announcement and am so excited for Patricia! Patricia graciously has answered several interview questions and is offering her debut novel, SHADOWS OF THE PAST, Book 1 of the Logan Point Series. I know this is only the beginning of exciting things for Patricia and it's my honor to host her this week. Both of us are looking forward to seeing your comments and sharing the excitement!

**Also, I'm presently a guest on Patricia's blog if you'd like to visit: 



Book Giveaway:
Patricia is offering one print copy of her novel SHADOWS OF THE PAST to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, February 7th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!




Questions for Patricia Bradley

You head your website with a passage from Psalm 37—Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. How does this fit into your daily life? Your writing life?

I’ve found that to delight myself in the Lord I have to have quiet time with Him early in the morning. I usually start off with the passage I’m reading in my Chronological Bible, then I spend time in my Jesus Calling Journal. I’ve been making daily entries in the journal since October 2009 and it’s really neat to have a record of what went on that day for the past four years. On the few days that something happens and I don’t get to spend time with Him, my day goes from bad to worse. I need that grounding and reminder that He is faithful. 

As for faith in my writing life, I couldn’t string ten words together without God’s input. I pray before I write and all the time I’m writing. When I’m stumped or can’t get the right words, I ask for God to help me. And He does. Not just once, but every time.

During your previous appearance on Everyone’s Story you’ve spoken about the unexpected years it took you to become a published author. Had you come close to surrendering your dream during this time? What was the turn around point that changed everything?

I don’t know that I ever seriously entertained the thought of giving up. It was as though I couldn’t not write, even when I received a rejection almost by return mail. God did take me away from writing fiction for a few years to co-write an abstinence curriculum and workbook and work in the abstinence program.

The turnaround point came after I won the 2008 Unpublished Maggie in their Inspirational Category, an RWA contest sponsored by the Georgia Romance Writers of America. It was Shadows of the Past and I just knew it would be published right away. Not. The next year at that same conference I asked a friend what I needed to do. I knew my writing lacked something, I just didn’t know what. She directed me to Susan May Warren. Susan was just starting My Book Therapy and teaching writing at the MBT Chat online. Her critique of Shadows, then the MBT classes and retreats helped me to hone my craft.

What didn’t you expect to discover on your journey to publication?

I never expected it would take so long. I mean, I’ve been writing for 33 years. Especially since the first short story I wrote was picked up by Woman’s World way back in 1981.

What kind of life lessons—if any—has writing and publishing taught you?

To enjoy the journey. And patience. Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the tagline on my emails is: I asked God to teach me patience, and He gave me a book to write.
Inspiration for Patricia: Norris Geyser Basin at Yellowstone
©Cheryl Meints

If you could look back at your pre-published self what kind of advice, as a published author, would you offer?

Learn the craft. Get into a good critique group and/or a community of writers. There are so many classes and so many good writing books out there, like Susan May Warren’s From the Inside Out and James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure. I wrote for 17 years with only a few books and Writer’s Digest magazine, and I kept making the same mistakes. I didn’t have a critique group until 1997—where I lived made it difficult to get together with other writers, and I didn’t have the Internet. Then in 2009, I joined ACFW and got connected with a 4 great crit partners, met Susan May Warren and My Book Therapy, and my writing life change.

Was any one particular person during your childhood years instrumental in building up your strength to continue despite obstacles?

My parents always told me I could do anything I set my mind to do. That I was the only person who could hold me back.

Why suspense stories? Did you intend to create a series from the start?

I’ve always liked to read suspense, but for some reason when I first started writing, I tried to write a story for Woman’s World’s Complete Romance line. That’s when I discovered I couldn’t get them together. And I kept putting my characters in danger, so I realized I could do the suspense part and turned to their mini-mysteries. Since then I’ve learned how to get them together.

As for the series, when I submitted to Revell, it was for three books set in Logan Point. Now each book I write creates more characters and more stories.

What faith issues have your characters faced in your stories? Did you set out with these issues in mind when you started the series or did it evolve on a more natural basis?

I knew Taylor, the heroine of Shadows of the Past, would have trust problems, not just with people, but with God. Her father had walked away when she was a child and she felt God never answered her prayers for him to return. Nick, the hero, had a strong faith, but he feared losing someone as he had when his wife was killed in a mugging-gone-wrong. So he held people too close sometime. His journey was learning to trust God with everything.

And for fun: if a magical fairy came along and granted you one wish to either do something or go somewhere (other than becoming an overnight NYTBSL author or resolving world peace with the snap of fingers), what would it be?

I would travel. Go to Hawaii, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, everywhere. And I would love to have that snap of the finger thingy to get there.

If by chance you do not win Patricia’s Giveaway novel on Everyone's Story, here’s another chance to win it: Revell is doing a giveaway on Goodreads from January 18-February 18: Goodreads 

You can see Patricia Bradley's first guest appearance on Everyone's Story here.

Patricia's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Visit with romantic suspense author Patricia Bradley on Everyone’s Story #BookGiveaway. (Tweet This)

Patricia Bradley: An author who took 33 years to publish debut novel but who sold a 3-book series! (Tweet This)

Win Patricia Bradley’s SHADOWS OF THE PAST #BookGiveaway on Everyone’s Story. #ChristianFiction (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi and is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum and workbook. But her heart is tuned to murder and suspense. Patricia’s mini-mysteries have been published in Woman’s World, and her debut novel, Shadows of the Past, is releasing February 1, 2014. When she’s not writing or speaking, she likes to make jewelry or throw mud on a wheel and create odd and unique pottery.

Places to connect with Patricia:



30 comments:

  1. Thank you so much, Elaine for hosting me. You have a great blog and the greatest blog readers!!

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    1. It's my pleasure--and a blessing--to host you, Patricia. And I definitely agree, my blog viewers are the best. You gals and guys keep me going!

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  2. OH, wow, Patricia...I was feeling like 6 years was a long time! I'm thankful the wait time is over for both of us! You can certainly learn a lot in those years. And if you ever travel to Iceland, fill me in on it! That is one of my top 2 research spots I'd LOVE to visit! I'd love to win a copy of your book!

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    1. Heather, Patricia's journey to publication is indeed encouraging. Always wonderful to see you here.

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    2. I really want to go to Iceland. In the summer. lol Somehow with this terrible winter, it doesn't sound too good right now,. Thank you for stopping by Heather.

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  3. Hello Elaine. Thanks for hosting Patricia. Hello Patricia. Neat to read about your writing journey. I found this post interesting and would love to win your Debut Novel. I have wondered if some of my ancestors were Irish because we have had a lot of red-heads through-out the generations. I was checking the origin of my mom's maiden name and my dad's name and both had come to America from Wales and Ireland. This is the extinct of my researching. I'm not very Tech-savvy. How neat you make Pottery. That sounds like fun. And, several in my family has made jewelry, for fun. Please add my name for a chance to win this book. Thanks.
    Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Maxie, so nice to see you again. Your family history sounds fascinating. There's lots of ways to research family origins so I hope the technology part doesn't discourage you.

      You're in the drawing!

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    2. Maxie, we have a lot of red-heads in the family, too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Certainly enoyed the interview and definitely would love to read Patricia's book. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

    Ann Ellison
    abilene_nana@yahoo.com

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    1. I love your visits, Ann!

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    2. Thank you for stopping by Ann. Glad you enjoyed the interview!

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  5. Patricia,
    Congratulations on your sale! I'm so thrilled for you. Way to go on never giving up on your dreams. You're a true inspiration. I enjoyed the interview, and I wish you continued success!
    God bless

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    1. Diana, I appreciate your visit today. Thanks for your encouragement to Patricia. I'm also glad you enjoyed the interview. Have a fabulous day.

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    2. Diana, thanks for stopping by. So glad I inspired you!

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  6. Patricia, I took an online ACFW class with you a loooonnnng time ago and remembered your tagline about God teaching you patience. It gave me a giggle back then and .... is still meaningful to me today :o). Congrats on the book.

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    1. Connie, thanks for your visit today. I love how we writers & readers are all connected! Wishing you a great day.

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    2. Hi Connie. So glad you like my tag line. I think God has a great sense of humor.

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  7. You should win an award for perseverance! Congratulations on your success.

    I'm a big fan of suspense novels. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Nice to see you again, Susan. You're definitely entered in Patricia's Giveaway.

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    2. Hi Susan. An award would be nice. :-) Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Patricia, your writing & publishing is such a wonderful testimony. God is good isn't He! Congratulations.

    Love how Elaine's first question is geared towards your relationship with the Lord. I love reading of people who have a committed daily time in prayer and reading the Word. It's great encouragement to us all.

    Enjoy these next few weeks/months as you share you story and novel with readers.

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    1. Ian, as always, I appreciate your visit. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview on Patricia. Thanks for being such a loyal Everyone's Story supporter! Blessings, my friend.

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    2. Thank you, Ian. I've discovered the days I don't start off with prayer and quiet time are the days that go south in a hurry. :-) So glad you stopped by.

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  9. Pat and Elaine, I enjoyed the interview. Pat, you are certainly to be emulated for your determination and tenacity. I know your readers are going to be very thankful! Isn't God amazing? We never know when He is going to grant us our heart's desire. I am looking forward to reading Shadows of the Past.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Kay, nice to see you again. I'm glad you enjoyed Pat's segment. God is definitely amazing. Funny--time wise--how you phrased it about God granting us our heart's desires because that was the exact topic in the sermon at church today: I think Pat sets a wonderful example for all of us when she daily seeks time with Him and to glorify Him in her work.

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    2. Kay, thank you for your encouragement! And God is truly amazing.

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  10. So excited for you and your first published novel, Pat. Congratulations on your perseverance. You are an inspiration to us "older writers!"

    patti(dot)shene(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Thanks Patti. It's so encouraging that writing is one field where there is no age discrimination!

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    1. Patti, I'm always grateful for your visits.

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  12. Heartfelt thanks for a very special week, Patricia. I am so excited and pleased that you've shared your debut moment with us on Everyone's Story. You've received many international viewer hits and I hope this is the beginning of an enjoyable and properous career for you. Thanks too for your lovely Book Giveaway. Patricia, I've been waiting with joy to say all these words!

    And the winner of Patricia Bradley's Giveaway of SHADOWS OF THE PAST, is Maxie! Yea, Maxie!!k both Patricia and I will contact you directly in private emails.

    Blessings to everyone.

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