Patricia Bradley Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?

A:  The editor at Womans World bought the first thing I ever wrote when I first started writing. A mini-mystery called The Snow Leopard. Her name was Nancy McCarthy and she was a saint. The guidelines stated to send a manuscript of 2000 words. I sent 3500, not knowing any better and she cut the ms to the required 2000. I didn’t have a computer to count the words and I didn’t know that way back then a page counted as 350 words and you counted the pages. *sigh * But you live and learn. I only sent 2500 the next time. And I had to cut the words. But I learned quite a bit with that exercise. I primarily write Romantic Suspense.

Q: What does your writing space look like?

A: A tornado just ripped through. Seriously. I have papers on the wall (see photo)

Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing?

A:  I get up by six every morning, and weather permitting, I go to my deck for quiet time with Him. (If it doesn’t permit, I sit on my couch) This is my tenth year to read chronically through the Bible, and every day I’m amazed at something I didn’t see before. Then I read the journal devotional, Jesus Calling by Sara Young and write something every day. This is my fifth year to do this and it chronicles my writing journey for those five years, among other things. I also usually read in another devo and pray. The days I skip my quiet time are the days I spin my wheels.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?

A:  Writing the first draft, it’s like pulling teeth sometimes…and the million times the story has to be reread. By the time I’m ready to hit send, I can almost quote it.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Gone Without a Trace?

A: It will probably be one of my favorites…although I think that about every book when it’s done. 🙂 Here’s the back cover copy:

The past is repeating itself—and time is running out

It’s been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator’s missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her after killing a teenager in the line of duty and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she’s finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she’ll have to find a way to work with Alex—before it’s too late.

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps you on the edge of your seat with a case—and a relationship—that is anything but certain.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: It came when I wrote the first book. Livy Reynolds’s cousin is missing in Shadows of the Past and everyone assumes she’s dead. Well, I wasn’t so sure. Then she began speaking to me and I knew I had to solve the case and who better to do it than Livy?

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.

A: Livy had small parts in the first two books in the Logan Point series, Shadows of the Past and A Promise to Protect. She is one of those by-the-book people. She makes lists and she believes rules are made for a reason. I thought it would be fun to pair her with a fly-by-the-seat of his pants private detective—Alex Jennings. He can’t believe her lists and thinks rules are just suggestions. They’ve both called me evil.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?

A: Livy and Alex’s relationship was the most fun. And the research was interesting. Did you know when a bullet goes through a windshield it leaves a hole, but unlike on TV, it doesn’t shatter? What did I like least? There really wasn’t anything I didn’t like. That’s why it probably will be my favorite book.

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?

A: That God wants a relationship with us, and He’s a God of second chances.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A:  I am working on the edits for the last book in the Logan Point series—Silence in the Dark and the first book in my new series, Cold Cases set in Memphis. The title of my cold case book is The Case of the Murdered Roommate. Time will tell if I get to keep the title. I’m really exited about both, but I’ll save that for another time.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

A:  My mother and I won’t say Jesus, because I will one day…and the apostle Peter because I’m so much like him.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?

A: Wait just a minute…I laughed so hard I fell out of the chair……… Now, to answer your question. When I have time, I love to make pottery. Bowls, mugs, platters, jewelry…all of it. I like to knit, too and do get to do that sometimes.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?

A: Wrote The End. Outside of writing—led someone to Christ.

Thank you so much for having me on the Suspense Zone! It’s been fun.