Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised on the east coast, Massachusetts. I relocated to California in 1977. I am one of six children. I met my wife in the summer of 1988 and we married in the fall of 1989. Lisa is also from a large family, she is one of seven. After living in California for many years we relocated to Washington state where I became a general contractor.. After my daughters death and all of the court matters were settled, I closed my business and sold our home and we moved to Southern Oregon. My wife and I currently own and operate a small family business.
Please don’t let me die is the first book that I have written.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book I wrote:
Please don’t Let me Die-A Fathers Journey Through Grief and the Criminal Justice System
I never thought I would ever write a book, but after my daughters death, I didn’t know what to do and my mind was cluttered with to much information and details. I sat down and started to write everything down in detail to help ease my mind. As the days, months and years past, I would look back on my notes and realized I had a story to tell. I want to give others hope, to let others know that there is a chance for justice and its OK to openly grieve as a man and as a father. The justice system is not what I thought it was, it is complicated and it takes time. It will also take a toll on your mind and body.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As I was writing the book, I seemed to write about everything that came to mind, a lot of things that didn’t need to be in the book. The only problem I had and still have, I can only type with two fingers. I still don’t know why they have the keys to the computer all out of order. They should put them in alphabetical order just for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am not a big reader, but the two books I have read recently are: The Shack and The Lovely Bones. Both of these books are well written and they cause you to think.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am just working at our small family business. I have thought about writing a second book, something along the lines of where we are now and how our daughters death has changed us and the people we have helped after our daughters death.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting a book is hard work. I have set up a website for the book along with a Facebook page. I have also go on line and found other authors to get their advice on book promotion.
I believe you just have to work at it, to get the word out, lots of hard work, but I also believe my book will help many and show others what happens to a family when a child dies. I tried to convey the feelings of a grieving father and the difficult criminal court system.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be honest and write from the heart. If you are writing about true events, do your homework. research is the key. Always stay true to yourself and realize it takes time and hard work to write a book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As I was writing my book: Please Don’t Let Me Die, I placed a lot of my anger into the book. I was told to remove all of the anger, my anger will cause others to believe the book was just an angry father blowing off steam. I was told that as others read, they will form their own anger or emotions.
What are you reading now?
Currently I am not reading any book, but I will be reading: A Child Died, a Father Cried…and God Answered! By Mark Canfora
What’s next for you as a writer?
I do hope to sit down and start another book, just taking a break after taking five plus years to write Please Don’t Let me Die
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Shack. It was so well written and it made me think of who I am and the relationship I have with God.
Author Websites and Profiles
Patrick McCarthy Website
Patrick McCarthy Amazon Profile
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Goodreads Profile
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