Friday, July 3, 2015

Patricia Bradley: The Other Side Of The Publishing Contract

Everyone's Story warmly welcomes back author Patricia Bradley, a 3rd-time guest and weekly viewer! Ever wonder when or if God will answer a prayer? This week Patricia addresses the topic of what happens when He does, and what changes we may have to accommodate blessings when they happen because they DO happen! Patricia reflects on writing, yet her message reaches out to all aspects of daily life. Please check out Patricia's BookGiveaway of her current release, GONE WITHOUT A TRACE (a great read!), as well as the back cover blurb. Both Patricia and I look forward to hearing from you.




BookGiveaway:
Patricia is offering 1 copy of her just released novel GONE WITHOUT A TRACE to 1 randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, July 10th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment.




Back cover blurb for GONE WITHOUT A TRACE:

The past is repeating itself—and time is running out

It’s been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator’s missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her after killing a teenager in the line of duty and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she’s finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she’ll have to find a way to work with Alex—before it’s too late.

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps you on the edge of your seat with a case—and a relationship—that is anything but certain.

Wanting And Getting That Special Desire
by Patricia Bradley

This is my third visit to Elaine’s blog and I love interacting with her readers. Actually, I’m one of them. Reading the weekly posts where everyone is encouraged is one of the bright spots of my week. And sometimes I really need those bright spots.

Have you ever really wanted something so badly that you would almost sell your right arm to get it? I have, even prayed the Jabez prayer. You know the one found in 1 Chronicles 4:10—

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.”

When God answered my prayer to be published, I quickly learned that blessing me and enlarging my territory was wonderful, but it also meant a lot of hard work. Everything changed when I received a contract. Writing quit being something I did when I had time. I now had to make time to write. It was my career, and I had just signed a contract to write three books. The realization almost overwhelmed me, and a mountain of doubt overshadowed me. Who was I to think I could write two more books in a year and a half?

A few things had to go. Good things. Like the knitting ministry I started at our church, and a couple more ministries I was involved in. But I learned something—sometimes the good things in life get in the way of God’s best for us. I also learned I’m not indispensable. To remain in a position that I don’t have time for and that God has no longer called me to do, robs someone else of the opportunity to serve Him.

Something else I discovered—writing under an editor’s deadline is much different than writing under my own self-imposed deadlines. If I didn’t meet my deadlines, no big deal. I could just extend them. Not so much with an editor’s deadline.

There is a plus to that, though. Since my first book came out, when I tell someone I can’t do something because I have a deadline, they actually accept my “no”. Before, it was like, you’re home all day, you have the time. And when you say, “but I’m writing”, it was like—but it’s only writing…like it wasn’t anything important. Ever had that to happen to you? It is important to make people realize it’s not just writing, even if you don’t have a contract. It’s something God has given you to do.

One last thing. I am now on the other side of that contract that went on to include a fourth book, and that mountain of doubt I faced is behind me. Some days words flowed like a river. Others were more like pulling teeth, and believe me—there were more teeth-pulling days than river-flowing. But I learned to rely totally on God. Every word I write comes from Him.

So go ahead and dream big. What God brings to you, He will bring you through.

Patricia's past Everyone's Story's features:

And, if you like to know anything more about me (Elaine speaking here), here's a link to when Patricia hosted me on her blog in an interview.

Patricia's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
A fave Everyone’s Story’s guest: #Suspense author Patricia Bradley @PTBradley1 #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)

Authors: Patricia Bradley @PTBradley1 on What’s On The Other Side of the Book Contract (Tweet This)

What happens when God answers prayers for #publication? Patricia Bradley @PTBradley1 shares story (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi and loves to write suspense. Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series—Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect, and Gone Without a Trace. She has also written two sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming, Matthew’s Choice which is available on Amazon and The Christmas Campaign, available in November. Her workshops on writing include two online courses with American Christian Fiction Writers and workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference in Collierville, TN. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.


Places to connect with Patricia:
Pinterest

****Please take a moment to take this month's new Poll: When the first paragraph of a novel loses its grip on you. (found on the right-hand sidebar) Thanks so much!




33 comments:

  1. Enjoyed the interview with Patricia and would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds like a good one. Hope you and your family have a fun 4th of July.

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    1. Hi Ann! So glad to see you this holiday weekend, and thanks for jumpstarting a great week of me. Tomorrow is actually my 33rd wedding anniversary!

      May you be blessed with a happy 4th.

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    2. Ann, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! And Happy Anniversary, Elaine. Sunday is my sister's 30th! And tomorrow is her birthday.

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    3. Thanks, Pat. And thanks for the smile!

      I'm beginning to hear about a lot of July 4th birthdays--not too many anniversaries though, but then again, the two of us were always different :)

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  2. Thanks for having me this week, Elaine. I am so honored to be here!

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    1. My pleasure, Pat! You're one of the big reasons why I enjoy blogging.

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  3. AnonymousJuly 04, 2015

    Hello Elaine and Patricia. Enjoyed this post. I voted for the July poll. I would love to win Patricia's book. Sounds really interesting to me. Thanks for this chance to win.
    Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    Replies
    1. A fond welcome back, Maxie. I love, love, and love seeing you. You're in the drawing. Thanks so much for taking the new poll--means much to me.

      Happy 4th!!

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    2. So glad you enjoyed the post, Maxie. I wish I could send everyone a book!

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  4. Lovely to see Pat back on Everyone's Story, Elaine. I think I could Pat's posts every week as they have such goodness and wisdom in them.

    Wonderful, Pat, that the original contract has now extended to 4 books. God is good.

    Incredible that even though you've experienced more teeth-pulling days you've been able to produce so much content in such a short period of time. Well done on trusting God and allowing Him to guide you on those difficult days. You've probably written a few posts on the subject but I'd love to read your practical tips for dealing with those bullies of procrastination and discouragement.

    Wishing you every success with this new novel and on. May God continue to be glorified through your work.

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    1. I enjoy seeing the connection between my guests and viewers (and sometimes these are one and the same)--it makes this huge world smaller and answers my prayers that I whisper to God right before I launch a guest's blog feature. So, thanks, Ian, for your kind words and encouragement to Pat.

      And Pat, there you go. Ian's suggestions for another blog feature is pretty decent, don't you think? (wink, wink)

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    2. Thanks, Ian. Your post was the first one I ever read on Elaine's blog. And I'll see about those posts on procrastination and discouragement. :-)

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  5. I can certainly relate to your post, Patricia! I used to write for fun until I got a book contract. Then it was hard work, and I burned my brain out at deadline time! But the blessing of God was there. He works all things out together for good. And who know, if we didn't have those deadlines, we might never get the book finished.

    Donna
    derobin7@gmail.com
    DonnaRobinsonBooks.com

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    Replies
    1. Donna, welcome to Everyone's Story. Thanks for sharing such excellent encouragement. May your own writing continue to be blessed and bless others.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Donna, I couldn't write a page without God's help. And my last Logan Point book, I needed Him for every paragraph! But yes, He is faithful. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Great post, Pat. No need to enter me, because I already have, read and super-enjoyed this book. :) I wish my words-flowing days were as productive as your teeth-pulling days. ;)

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    1. As always, Sandra, I enjoy your visits. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    2. Funny Sandra! Wouldn't you agree that writing is the hardest job you ever had?

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  7. Enjoyed the post, Patricia and Elaine! I'd love to win a copy of your book, Patricia. I wish you much continued success with your writing.

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    1. Patti, thanks so much for visiting. Nice to see you again! Patricia's novels are great reads!

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  8. Thank you, Patti! BTW, I tried to change my name to Patti when I was a teenager. :-) Everyone called me Patsy and I hated that name. lol Ended up with Pat.

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    1. Funny/cute story, Pat. I never had a nickname as a kid and wanted one. Finally, at the age of 18 I tried out "Lainie" but it went right over family and friends' heads. Today, I've accepted my name for what it is and have grown to like it, especially because it's not all that common. Ha. Proof I've always marched to my own band!

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  9. My church has a knitting ministry but I don't have the patience for it. I'd much rather have my nose stuck in a book.
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Nice to see you again, Janet. I agree--rather be reading than knitting.

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    2. With my ADHD, I was surprised that knitting actually calms me down. Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. Patricia, thank you for sharing. I'm so thankful to have a contract
    or one novel so far and hope there will be more. But it does
    change the focus of writing for sure. It's a mixed bag, but a good
    one and another opportunity to trust the Lord. I see Him pulling
    things out of my life and trying to get my attention for what is
    most important.

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    1. Kathy, it's always a pleasure to see you here. I love your perspective: that publication and facing deadlines are another way of serving and trusting God.

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    2. Kathy, so glad you stopped by! God is so good at pulling things out of our lives, isn't He?

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  11. Mysteries are my favorite genre and this author has my full attention. SandraAllenLovelace@gmail.com

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    1. Sandra, I believe I can see Patricia smiling as she reads your words. Can you?

      Thanks for visiting!

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    2. Thank you, Sandra. And you can, Elaine. :-)

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  12. The title is quite enticing. I'd love to win a copy of this book. frontiersoffaith@annaleeconti.com

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  13. I cannot thank you enough, Pat, for being my wonderful guest this past week. It's been one busy, crazy week for all--times are changing! Yet, a great story grounds us and your storytelling is welcome entertainment! Thanks for sharing with us insights on how authors can have a proper perspective of the other side of a publishing contract.

    Thanks too for your BookGiveaway of GONE WITHOUT A TRACE. The winner is…

    Patti S. Yay, Patti. Both Pat and I will contact you in direct emails.

    Blessings to all.

    ReplyDelete

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