Sunday, April 1, 2012

A Dream Come True


I’ve wanted to be a published author since I was a little girl. Like most girls my age, I read every Judy Bolton and Nancy Drew mystery; as a child, they were among my most prized possessions. When I was ten years old, I submitted a poem I’d written to my Sunday school magazine. I can still remember how thrilled I was when I saw my name printed under the title. My first byline! Now, many years later (no need to tell how many), I feel the same way!
My novel, Mixed Messages, the first in my Malone mystery series, will be released April 17th! When I received my author’s copy and held it in my hands, it was truly a dream come true! I felt like that ten-year-old girl again; it was magical and surreal. It still is. To say I’m thrilled is an understatement. I spent years working on Mixed Messages. Creating the characters, giving them life, has been the single most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. To have the opportunity now to share them with readers is beyond incredible to me. And, it amazes me how things sometimes happen.
Ten years ago this month, I had the privilege of meeting my favorite author, Mary Higgins Clark, at a book signing of Daddy’s Little Girl. I own a copy of every book Mary’s ever written; as an adult, they’re among my most prized possessions. Mary’s not only a gifted writer; she’s a very nice person. She took the time to listen to me talk about the novel I “planned” to write and to encourage me to “write that novel.”
 I have a framed copy of this photo on my desk. Seeing it every day when I sit down at my computer has been and is a great source of inspiration. Every April, I eagerly await Mary’s newest release. I’m looking forward to reading The Lost Years. It’s still hard for me to believe that this year, (she says with a big smile on her face), I eagerly await the release of my novel, Mixed Messages, too!


14 comments:

  1. I am so thrilled for you, Patricia! I can't wait to read your first installment. How fine to share your happiness with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Theresa,
      I will always be grateful to you, Sunny Frazier and the other Posse members who welcomed me into your group and who constantly support and encourage me. I'm very blessed!

      Delete
  2. What a nice story. Thank you for sharing it with us, Patricia. I'm happy to see your dream come true and wish you great success.
    Jim Callan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jim. And thanks for interviewing me on your blog. It was fun!
      The post is still up - until Tuesday. If anyone would like to read it, here's the link:
      http://www.jamesrcallan.com/blog

      Delete
  3. Patricia, No matter how many books you write, each one will give you the same feeling the first time you hold it in your hands. Well, almost. First book, first one out of the box, made me cry. My husband still has to peel me off the ceiling when I hold the first copy of a new book, but I don't cry anymore. I'm so very excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When my publisher handed me my book, I felt like crying - tears of joy - but I was afraid I'd freak the man out!

      Delete
  4. Thrilled for you, Patricia - and more thrilled that I pre-ordered my copy. It's also cool when our heroes turn out to be nice people. I met Pat Conroy (Prince of Tides, Great Santini) at a signing and told him thanks to his military academy novel, Lords of Discipline, the upperclass who had read it used it as a template for abusing the freshmen, and that he owed me a set of pushups as payback. He laughed like hell and made me tell his wife.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for ordering my book, Bill! I hope you enjoy it.
      I have a signed copy of "The Water is Wide" by Pat Conroy which a good friend (who was living in North Carolina at the time) bought for me at one of his signings. From what I understand, he's a great guy and, obviously, he has a wonderful sense of humor.

      Delete
  5. I'm so happy for you, Patricia. What a joy. And I love that photo of you and Mary Higgins Clark, your "inspiration" each day! Thanks for sharing your good news.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eileen,
      Thank you! That photo is another of my most prized possessions.

      Delete
  6. Hi Patricia,

    Wow, I too was a Judy/Nancy fan. I loved the titles. Remember The Murmuring Portrait? Who could resist a title like that?

    First novel was The Spy in the Alley, about a kid sleuth. I had to keep blinking to make sure it was really there, in front of me.

    Fun to remember -- thanks,

    Melanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melanie,
      Fantastic! Somebody else who read Judy Bolton mysteries. It seems like everyone read Nancy Drew but Judy was my favorite!

      Delete
  7. How absolutely thrilling for you! Congratualtions, Patrica.

    ReplyDelete