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Friday, April 13, 2012

Patricia Gligor's Mixed Messages


Susan, I’m happy to be here today.

It's nice to have you over, Patricia. Please give us a brief bio, and include something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.

Well, let’s see. I write mystery novels but I’ve worked as an administrative assistant, the sole proprietor of a résumé writing service and the manager of a sporting goods department. (A girl has to have money to buy chocolate. J)

Those who don’t know me might be surprised to learn that I love guns and target shooting. (Those who do know me will tell you that I’ll probably never be sharpshooter of the month.) My father introduced me to guns when I was young. He took me to turkey shoots, which I thought were the greatest things. Of course, the first time I went, I was worried that we would be shooting at real turkeys! When I saw the paper targets and he explained the process, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Where do you live, and how has your environment affected your writing?

I grew up and still live on the west side of Cincinnati. When I was a young girl, I read Judy Bolton and Nancy Drew mysteries constantly and I developed quite an imagination. We lived in an old house with a big woods behind it, the perfect setting for mystery. I was naturally curious and I loved to explore. I would make up stories about our house, the imaginary people who used to live there, the woods and the neighborhood.

Give a short synop of your book.

Mixed Messages:

There’s a serial killer attacking women in their homes on the west side of Cincinnati. It’s the week of Halloween and Ann Kern is struggling with several issues. Her primary concern is her marriage which, like her west side neighborhood, is in jeopardy.

When she receives a series of ominous biblical quotes, she grows nervous and suspicious of everyone, including her own husband. Several bizarre and frightening events take place, including Ann’s discovery of a handmade tombstone marked with her name, which pushes her close to the edge. Will she be the Westwood Strangler’s next victim?

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Yes. Mixed Messages will be available April 17th at Amazon.com and Postmortem-press.com/.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give other writers?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned about writing (and it cost me a lot in time and frustration) is that, when you send a manuscript out to an agent or publisher, the first thing they’ll do is Google your name. If you haven’t worked hard to create an online presence, in all likelihood, your work will be rejected. I have a feeling that, if Margaret Mitchell lived in these times and hadn’t marketed herself, Gone With the Wind probably would not have been published!

As to advice to new writers, I would caution them to be absolutely 100% sure their book is the best they can make it before they send it out to an agent or a publisher. It’s crucial to have other writers read your work first. If at all possible, join a critique group and pay close attention to the suggestions of the other writers. If you’re truly open-minded when they give you constructive criticisms but remember to trust your own instincts, you’ll make the right decisions in your writing.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

Fortunately, no one would ever accuse me of being shy so getting the word out offline comes easily and naturally to me; I tell everyone! Online is another story. Truthfully, I had no idea where to start until I submitted a query last year to Sunny Frazier, the Acquisitions Editor for Oak Tree Press. When she Googled my name and came up with a big, fat zero, Sunny was kind enough to invite me to join her Posse, an online writing/marketing group composed of other mystery writers. She has guided me through the whole process and, thanks to her and the other members, I now have an established online presence.

Can you tell us your writing goals/projects for 2012 or beyond?

April 15th, the book launch event will take place for Mixed Messages so there’s a lot of work to do for that and, of course, I’ll be working diligently to promote my book. I also plan to finish the rewriting and proofing of Unfinished Business, the second novel in my Malone Mystery Series. Then, I’ll work on plotting and outlining the third book and, time permitting, start writing the first draft by the end of the year.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I belong to several sites including Face Book and I have a website where I post every week. I hope your readers will stop by. http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

Thank you for inviting me to be here today, Susan. It’s been a lot of fun!

My pleasure, Patricia. Here's a link, folks: http://www.postmortem-press.com/mixed.php


21 comments:

Marja said...

Terrific interview, Patricia! I can't wait to read your book. In fact, I preordered it.

Now I'm off to find some chocolate, which I know you'll understand. Sometimes it gets me through the day. :)

Anonymous said...

Another Midwesterner! I'm from Indiana. Hope you have great success with your book.
Sally Carpenter

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Marja,
I do understand! Chocolate can be a life saver. Hey, that's a good idea - chocolate lifesavers!
Sally,
Thanks! You're a former Hoosier and I'm a Buckeye.

James R. Callan said...

Chocolate lifesavers - what a great idea. Why hasn't the Lifesaver company come up with that? But, guns. Remember, Patricia, I have never crossed you - only said nice things about you. Seriously, though, I do like your books.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

James,
Go ahead - make my day! :) Did you say you were going to buy a copy of Mixed Messages or not?
Hey, this gun thing could work to promote sales!

Cora said...

Congratulations on your new book coming out. Hope it's a big success.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Thanks, Cora! Right back at ya - good luck with yours!

jrlindermuth said...

Great interview, Patricia. I didn't know about your interest in guns and target shooting. Every writer of mysteries needs a little gun knowledge. Though I gave up hunting a long time ago, I still like to plink now and then.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

I don't know, J.R. I think James Callan is afraid of me now. :)

Susan Whitfield said...

Thanks for visiting, everyone. Patricia, I apologize for the book cover being off the top. Blogger.com has changed some things and I'm afraid I haven't figured out what happened. I also wish you the best of luck with your writing. Please come again.

Sunny Frazier said...

Thank you, Pat, for the shout-out. The Posse only works if you put work into it, which you have. I'm very proud at how far you've come in a very short time.

So, what do you shoot at if you don't shoot at turkeys? And, let me just say for the record, I will not put a gun in my hands, nor did I let the Marine Corps reserves make me fire a rifle. I make how I feel very clear through the eyes of my protag, Christy Bristol.

Susan Whitfield said...

Thanks for dropping by, Sunny.

Susan Whitfield said...

Patricia, I just pre-ordered the book and look forward to reading it.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Susan,
Despite the glitch with the book cover, you did a fantastic job with the interview - as always. It's a pleasure to be here.
Thank you for pre ordering my novel! I hope you enjoy it.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Sunny,
I love guns! What do I shoot at? Paper targets. There's an indoor shooting range not far from where I live and my brother and I go there sometimes. Sad to say but he out shoots me every time!
Another reason (besides being exposed to guns early on) that I'm comfortable with guns is that I worked in and managed a sporting goods department for many years. I handled and sold semi-autos, revolvers and long guns.
Back then, I had a poster taped to our gun safe in the stockroom. It read "I have PMS and a handgun. Any questions?"

Theresa Varela said...

Great interview. I somehow knew you were a straight shooter and any turkeys had best move out of the way. Am getting excited about your book!

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Teresa,
Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to my interview on your blog next month.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Theresa,
Just spelled your name wrong. Sorry. I'm a little jittery this morning. Today's the local book launch for "Mixed Messages." Wish me luck?

Eileen Obser said...

Great to read this interview, Patricia. You're so good with all the p.r., you'll probably sell a LOT of books!

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Eileen,
From your lips to God's ear!

Susan Whitfield said...

Thanks to all who visited. Patricia's interview will be archived so return at any time. Patricia, thanks again for letting me interview you.