Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have a short attention span so I write lots of novellas and short stories, mostly about women with complicated lives. The Cure is my first venture into longer tales and I’ve recently self published a collection of my short stories, titled Unintended Consequences. I also teach short story writing in an adult program at Kennesaw State Univerity.
I’ve been a copywriter, business owner, international business coach, marketing manager, and grief counselor, among other things. I live in rural Georgia with two cats in the yard, whose job it is to keep the other critters outdoors. I’m a certified master gardener and I write gardening articles for my local newspaper, and grants to support my local library system. At last count I have seven grandchildren in five cities and three countries.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was at my first Sisters in Crime writers’ meeting when the moderator asked us for new story ideas in the form of a back-cover book blurb. I raised my hand and talked about a woman with early-onset dementia and a man who comes from the future with a cure. It became a short story, and then grew into my first novel, The Cure.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I started writing fiction I asked every writer I met what their writing routine was. It became clear that the successful ones wrote, or worked on some aspect of, their writing just about every day. I have daily goals for word count / revision / research, and set a weekly word count goal of 3,000 words. It works for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Flannery O’Connor and Pascal Garnier and Shirley Jackson for the dark side. Elena Ferrante for beautiful detail. Nora Ephron for humor in the face of pain. For the craft of writing: The Elements of Style, Jane Cleland, Steven James, so many more.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a sequel to The Cure, and taking notes on the third volume to form a trilogy. And, as always, several short stories.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning the book marketing side, but Goodreads is right up there.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. Study craft. Hang out with other writers, in person and online. Don’t fall prey to all the services that want to sell you (fill in the blank) that will make you a best selling author. Social media is a time suck, so beware of the clock when you enter its portals. Save all your stories; you may want to revisit them one day. Get into the habit of writing just about every day.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stand up for something or you’ll fall for anything.
What are you reading now?
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Sticky Fingers by JT Lawrence
The Price of Paradise by Susana Lopez Rubio
What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning more about the ins and outs of writing sequels. Compiling enough short stories for a second volume.
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 Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
Walden by HD Thoreau
Author Websites and Profiles
Patricia Bowen Website
Patricia Bowen Amazon Profile
Patricia Bowen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account