Interview with Patricia Waddell

Added February 3, 2003

Sharyn: After reviewing two of her novels I easily convinced the others that we had to interview the amazing Patrica Waddell, author of historical and futuristic romances. As a reader/reviewer, I was swept away by Diamond in the Rough, a historical romance set in 1880's South Africa and came to face to face with unknown prejudices in her futuristic The Alliance.

Patricia, first I'd like to say thank you for taking time out of your busy day to chat with me. It's always a pleasure to talk with someone who is as talented as you. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

Patricia: About six years ago. Until then, I was an avid reader, not just of romance, but of anything and everything. I always had a book in my hand, but romance hooked me the most. I started imagining my own story, and decided why not . . .

Sharyn: Did you actually start writing then?

Patricia: Yes, that very day.

Sharyn: Is writing your dream job?

Patricia: Oh, my yes! After 30 years in the professional world as an accountant ( still work part-time, and full-time during tax season), the idea of making my living in my pj's is definitely a dream. No more struggling with pantyhose at 7AM to make it to the office by 8. No more traffic jams, no more frantic lunch hours, just me, the cat (who insists on sharing my writing space)the peace and quiet of an empty house and all the characters and plot lines I can cram into my head.

Sharyn: Your characters are so alive, do you sometimes forget they're actually fictional people?

Patricia: Sometimes. Every once in a while I think every writer is blessed with that special character who literally "comes alive" for them. You see him in your head, hear his voice, know his thoughts - when that happens you know you have a winner. Not every character will do that for me, but when they do - watch out!

Sharyn: You've written in both historical and futuristic romance genres. Are there other genres you'd like to write?

Patricia: I'd love to do some pure fantasy one day. And WESTERNS - not necessarily romances, but real John Wayne, shoot'em up cowboy stuff. My father was the reader in the family, and I grew up with Zane Grey on the bookshelf and all the westerns on the TV set - Gunsmoke, the Rifleman, Bonanza, you name it, I watched it. I'll always be a John Wayne fan - nobody does it like the Duke!

Sharyn: Could you tell us a bit about your currently available novels?

Patricia: I have two futuristics: The Alliance, available through LionHearted Publishing, and Whispers in the Stars, released by Dorchester. My historicals (my first A Lady's Proposal is out of print) are A Gentleman's Bargain, A Stylish Marriage, and Diamond in the Rough. I have also written two historical novellas featured in the anthologies: Bride and Groom and Cupid Calling (released in January 2003).

Sharyn: Did you find it harder to write The Alliance and Whisper in the Stars? You had to create entire worlds from your own imagination.

Patricia: No. In fact, they were easier to write than my Victorian historicals. No research! I just used my imagination. That's the fun of creating entire worlds - the only rules are the ones you make for yourself. It's a little like playing God at the keyboard.

Sharyn: The history and races in the Alliance were incredibly detailed and well-thought-out. Are you planning to write more novels in that universe?

Patricia: I want to do at least two (2) sequels to The Alliance. All I'm waiting for is the go ahead from my publisher

Sharyn: Diamond in the Rough was considerably different from most historical novels. For one thing, it's set in South Africa. Why that particular location?

Patricia: I wanted to write a cowboy, but my editor said western romances weren't doing all that well. So (being Scot/Irish and a wee bit stubborn) I decided to write a "Victorian" cowboy. I looked at a globe and asked myself where but the good old west of the USA could a man like Quinn exist and still be English-born? The answer - South Africa or Australia. I did some research and decided S. Africa was where I could tell the most unusual story - after all diamonds are a girl's best friend. Quinn has a gritty side - what I like to think of as a "cowboy" attitude.

Sharyn: Have you ever been to South Africa? The vibrant beauty comes through perfectly in Diamond. One could only surmise that you'd actually been there.

Patricia: No. Never. I did lots of research, watched the Travel Channel, National Geographic specials, and several movies set in Africa. Then I closed my eyes, imagined it in my mind, and tried to describe what I saw in my mind's eye to the reader.

Sharyn: Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming novels?

Patricia: I just finished a second futuristic for Dorchester. The working title is Well of Wishes, but that may change. There will be a sequel to this book, then a 3 book series that will have its own unique world, which will be a blend of futuristic and fantasy elements.

Historically speaking, I am working on a 4 book series that I call the Gentleman's Club series. The characters are introduced in my anthology Love Letters in Cupid Calling (January release from Zebra). The stories center around a group of four men who play a weekly game of cards at Brook's in London. The first book He Said Yes will release in Sept. 2003, followed by He Said No in March 2004, and He Said _?_ (we're still working on the next two titles). Hopefully that will be followed by a She Said Series which in now under proposal to my editor, Kate Duffy at Kensington.

Sharyn: Sometimes, families aren't as supportive as we'd wish them to be. How does your family feel about your writing?

Patricia: I am blessed - truly blessed, in this area. My daughter is grown with two children of her own, and she enjoys my books and is very proud of me for following my dream. My husband is the greatest. He'd never read a word of anything I've ever written, but God bless him, he's willing to eat leftovers when I'm working on a deadline or go out for pizza, and he even vacuums the house for me. And no - he's not for sale!

Sharyn: What's the one thing you know now that you wish you'd known when you first began writing?

Patricia: Almost everything. But if I had known, I probably wouldn't have written the first word. I didn't know what POV meant until I'd written three books (all of them published), never heard of RWA, and don't even mention commas to me (they're irritating little things, aren't they?)

Sharyn: I completely agree with commas, but I shudder to think what would happen without them. *g* Aspiring writers are always asking published authors for advice. What advice do you give them?

Patricia: If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen. If a grandmother who'd never written a word outside a business letter can do it - anyone can! Dreams are the fuel of life.

Sharyn: Patricia, thanks for taking time out of your day to chat with me. I enjoyed it. For more information on Patricia's works, please visit her website www.patriciawaddell.com.

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