Interview with Patricia Sargeant!
Patricia Sargeant is a debut novelist, and fellow Ohio resident, who's first romantic suspense novel, YOU BELONG TO ME, is being released today. She's graciously agreed to be interviewed here on the Crime Sistah's blog. YOU BELONG TO ME is also the featured title for November on MystNoir. Welcome Patricia!
1. Q: What appeals to you about writing romantic suspense?
I love romance and I love suspense. Together they're a powerful combination. A well-written suspense keeps your reader in your story. At the heart of that story is your character's motivation. What is the ultimate motivation? Love. Love of family, friends and country. Love compels you to reach inside of yourself and find the hero within. That is a universal truth that connects your reader to your character. Make your reader care about your character and she'll finish your story.
2. Q: Was it hard for you to get published?
I would say "challenging." It took me 15 years. But then, nothing worth having comes easily. A lot of people think they can write a book in a couple of weeks or months and then sell it a month or so later. I never believed it would be that easy, but I hadn't realized learning the process would be so challenging. There's a lot more to succeeding as an author than writing the book. You have to learn the craft, study the industry, and be willing and able to market yourself and your work.
3. Q: Describe your debut novel, YOU BELONG TO ME, and how you came to write it.
You Belong To Me is a romantic suspense that reunites a divorced couple in a race to unmask a serial killer. All of my stories start with the question, "What if?" What if you were given a second chance with your soul mate? What would you be willing to do to ensure your happily-ever-after? The story is also about family. How do you define family and what are you willing to do to protect them?
4. Q: How much research was involved in writing your book?
I didn't have to do too much research. I read a couple of how-to books for independent film producers to learn the terminology and understand the process of producing a film from conception to distribution.
5. Q: Do you write in any other genre besides romantic suspense?
Yes, and thank you for asking. I'm working on a mystery series with romantic and paranormal elements. It takes place on a fictitious Caribbean island. My agent is currently shopping that project. I also have an epic fantasy trilogy and a time travel that I hope to propose soon.
6. Q: What is your writing schedule like?
I have a full-time day job, so my writing takes place in the evenings and weekends. The days are long, but very worth it.
7. Q: Can you tell us what you're working on now?
I would love to. I'm finishing another romantic suspense, On Fire. The release date is September 2007. The hero is a fire investigator. The heroine is an investigative reporter. The two start out as adversaries but, when a string of arsons become a series of murders, they work together to solve the crimes. In the process, they uncover a powerful political machine. It's the first book in a three-book series.
8. Q: Do you have a website or blog?
I have a Web site, www.patriciasargeant.com, and an e-newsletter, Patricia's News. The title is simple and to the point.
9. Q: What good books have you read recently that you'd like to recommend?
Oh, so many. I've recently discovered L.A. Banks's Vampire Huntress series. I'm coming late to the party, but having a good time. I highly recommend the series.
10.Q: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
If becoming a published author is your dream - don't give up. Work at your craft and write the best story you can. Learn the business side. Writing is an art, but it's also a business. Understand an agent's role, an editor's role, an author's role. Learn about contracts, royalty statements, subsidiary rights. Study the market - what editor at what house is buying what genres? Learn how to market yourself and your work. Never stop learning.
Thank you for this opportunity, Angela. I very much appreciate it.
You're welcome Patricia. Thanks for stopping by!
Patricia Sargeant is a debut novelist, and fellow Ohio resident, who's first romantic suspense novel, YOU BELONG TO ME, is being released today. She's graciously agreed to be interviewed here on the Crime Sistah's blog. YOU BELONG TO ME is also the featured title for November on MystNoir. Welcome Patricia!
1. Q: What appeals to you about writing romantic suspense?
I love romance and I love suspense. Together they're a powerful combination. A well-written suspense keeps your reader in your story. At the heart of that story is your character's motivation. What is the ultimate motivation? Love. Love of family, friends and country. Love compels you to reach inside of yourself and find the hero within. That is a universal truth that connects your reader to your character. Make your reader care about your character and she'll finish your story.
2. Q: Was it hard for you to get published?
I would say "challenging." It took me 15 years. But then, nothing worth having comes easily. A lot of people think they can write a book in a couple of weeks or months and then sell it a month or so later. I never believed it would be that easy, but I hadn't realized learning the process would be so challenging. There's a lot more to succeeding as an author than writing the book. You have to learn the craft, study the industry, and be willing and able to market yourself and your work.
3. Q: Describe your debut novel, YOU BELONG TO ME, and how you came to write it.
You Belong To Me is a romantic suspense that reunites a divorced couple in a race to unmask a serial killer. All of my stories start with the question, "What if?" What if you were given a second chance with your soul mate? What would you be willing to do to ensure your happily-ever-after? The story is also about family. How do you define family and what are you willing to do to protect them?
4. Q: How much research was involved in writing your book?
I didn't have to do too much research. I read a couple of how-to books for independent film producers to learn the terminology and understand the process of producing a film from conception to distribution.
5. Q: Do you write in any other genre besides romantic suspense?
Yes, and thank you for asking. I'm working on a mystery series with romantic and paranormal elements. It takes place on a fictitious Caribbean island. My agent is currently shopping that project. I also have an epic fantasy trilogy and a time travel that I hope to propose soon.
6. Q: What is your writing schedule like?
I have a full-time day job, so my writing takes place in the evenings and weekends. The days are long, but very worth it.
7. Q: Can you tell us what you're working on now?
I would love to. I'm finishing another romantic suspense, On Fire. The release date is September 2007. The hero is a fire investigator. The heroine is an investigative reporter. The two start out as adversaries but, when a string of arsons become a series of murders, they work together to solve the crimes. In the process, they uncover a powerful political machine. It's the first book in a three-book series.
8. Q: Do you have a website or blog?
I have a Web site, www.patriciasargeant.com, and an e-newsletter, Patricia's News. The title is simple and to the point.
9. Q: What good books have you read recently that you'd like to recommend?
Oh, so many. I've recently discovered L.A. Banks's Vampire Huntress series. I'm coming late to the party, but having a good time. I highly recommend the series.
10.Q: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
If becoming a published author is your dream - don't give up. Work at your craft and write the best story you can. Learn the business side. Writing is an art, but it's also a business. Understand an agent's role, an editor's role, an author's role. Learn about contracts, royalty statements, subsidiary rights. Study the market - what editor at what house is buying what genres? Learn how to market yourself and your work. Never stop learning.
Thank you for this opportunity, Angela. I very much appreciate it.
You're welcome Patricia. Thanks for stopping by!
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