Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wrote three books but retired the first one. It had every mistake you can make and I consider it my writer’s education (along with Writer’s Digest–can I do a plug? I’m not affiliated).
I graduated from the University of Kansas in Advertising and Editorial Art when they still had an art department. At thirty, I was an older student, unusual at the time. A saying going around was “Don’t trust anyone over thirty.” It took a year and a half to get my first professional job, living on temp jobs.
My records are in the school of Architecture, but you ask me to design a house at your own risk. My resume includes Editorial Assistant on a military magazine.
Mother to one son, and grandmother to five grandchildren–four well on their ways to building their own dynasties. One subject (Stewart) came into the world 2/27/17–tiny, red, and beautiful.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Martha’s Sister, Beloved Prodigal is my latest book. It’s the one I’m offering here. I read some biblical fiction that dealt with the times without researching it. If successful, Martha’s Sister, Beloved Prodigal will cause the reader to feel the cobble stoned streets under his/her feet, and smell the donkeys. These were real people. There is no shouting from the mountain tops among these people. They hurt, laugh, grieve. How does it feel to stand there and watch a man, so long in the tomb you expect a strong odor, to walk out in to the arms of his sisters? Do you believe your own senses?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a child I read all the time and that habit continued all my life. How can I choose one? After I read a book I may talk that way for a while, so I suppose that is the writer’s influence.
What are you working on now?
Nothing new at this time. I’m concentrating and getting this one out there. Don’t ask me where “there” is. It’s a learning process.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning that.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start early. Many reviewers want the book four months in advance. Once the book is published is too late. While writing, edit, edit, edit. Get other eyes to look at it, preferably tough eyes–no one who is afraid to offend you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is God, you will be saved.”
What are you reading now?
The internet. Everything I can find on how to promote a book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I’ll go take a nap. This is hard work.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible. The Girl Scout Manuel, and “How to Cook with Leaves and Bugs.” Has anyone written that yet?
Author Websites and Profiles
Patricia Annalee Kirk Website
Patricia Annalee Kirk’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account