Sunday, November 1, 2015

These are a few of my favorite things




As a reader, I’m always interested in learning more about the authors who write the mystery/suspense novels I read. On the back of a book, a reader will usually find the author’s photo and bio. The bio is a brief summary about the author. It gives the basics: where the author lives, a bit of their professional history, etc.
But their blog is a place where readers can get to know an author in more detail. It’s an opportunity to get a taste of their writing style and a glimpse of their personality. We authors post on a variety of topics most of which apply to our craft but some posts are more personal. I thought it would be fun to list a few of my favorite things this week. In other words, to elaborate on my bio.
So, here’s what my bio says:
“Patricia Gligor is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling. She has worked as an administrative assistant, the sole proprietor of a resume writing service and the manager of a sporting goods department but her passion has always been writing fiction. Ms. Gligor writes the Malone Mystery series. The first three books, Mixed Messages, Unfinished Business, and Desperate Deeds take place in Cincinnati but in Mistaken Identity, the fourth book, her characters are vacationing on Fripp Island in South Carolina.”
Let’s start with the fact that I enjoy traveling. What my bio doesn’t say is that my favorite trips are to the ocean and, to take it one step further, to see lighthouses. I have framed photos of every lighthouse I’ve ever seen but my favorite, to date, is the Cape Lookout Lighthouse on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.You couldn't have wiped the smile off my face as our boat approached the beach. Wild ponies on the right, pelicans and seagulls flying about and this scene straight ahead of us.


Cape Lookout


Moving on. My bio lists the jobs I’ve held throughout the years. I spent the majority of those years working in retail in sporting goods departments. My favorite job was managing a small sporting goods department for Van Leunens, a local department store which has since gone out of business. I was their first woman department manager in sporting goods and I was determined to show “the guys” that I could handle it. That experience taught me a lot and I worked hard but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Here’s a photo from that time.

Chuck and me



If you have any questions, as long as they aren’t too personal, I’d be happy to answer them. Have a great week!

10 comments:

  1. I loved your comments about lighthouses. When I was a senior in high school, we (the seniors) were given questionnaires about what kind of job would suit us after graduation. One of the questions was, "Would you like to live in a lighthouse?" I responded "Yes!" When an administrator interviewed me afterward, he said that response meant I was a loner and didn't like people. How ridiculous! I thought living in a lighthouse would be romantic.

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    1. Pat,
      I've lost count of how many lighthouses I've seen but I'm always eager to see more. To me, they're not only historic and romantic but also mysterious.

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  2. Pat, I'm not surprised to find you like lighthouses--I remember you included one in "Mistaken Identity."

    I am curious, though, about the items the man is holding in the sporting goods photo. What are they?

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    1. Allan,
      Those are archery accessories. I had a staff of some of the greatest young men you'd ever want to meet. See the tree in the background? They went out and cut it down for me so we could attach climbing tree stands for display. So much fun!

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  3. I love lighthouses, too. Nice memories you have...

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    1. Madeline,
      I always take a camera when I go on vacation or even a day trip. My photos help remind me of the places I've been and the things I've seen.
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. What fun! I love learning new things about the authors I admire. I would think that working in a sporting goods department would give you a leg up on some of us when it comes to sports. : ) Thank you so much for sharing more about yourself.
    Marja McGraw

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    1. Marja,
      Although I sold all kinds of sporting goods equipment, I was always most interested in the Hunting and Fishing items.

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  5. It's so interesting learning more about you, Pat. I too love lighthouses and visit them. However, I'm not much of an athlete, unlike my husband and sons.

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    1. You made me laugh, Jacqueline. I'm not much of an athlete either. :)

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