Now, Patricia, I know you’ve been a member of NTRWA a long time, but some of our new members may not know that you were also our President.  When did you join NT?

July 1999 (I think.)
 
And when did you serve as NT President?

2003-2004
 
Tell us a little bit about your background.

 I was born in the wagon of a traveling show. Mama used to dance for the money they'd throw. Papa'd do whatever he could -- preach a little gospel, sell a couple bottles of Dr. Goode's. Which explains why I've lived in so many places in the eastern & southern US that I can't actually claim to "be" from anywhere. But at this point, I've lived in Texas longer than anywhere else. Scary thought, there.

When did you start writing?

Second grade - a poem about a bunny (self-illustrated)
 
What kind of stories do you enjoy writing? What are you currently working on?

I like writing whatever publishers are buying -- since I haven't figured out what that is, I'm not writing at the moment.

 
What do you enjoy reading?

People magazine . . . just kidding. I love the paranormal Bombshells (Evelyn Vaughn is fabulous! -- just finished Last Calling - wow!). Lately I've been reading Italian travel guides.

Who are your favorite authors?

Evelyn Vaughn (see above); Nora Roberts/ J.D. Robb; Dan Brown; Ken Follett;

Lori Wilde . . . in other words, whoever wrote the last book I read.

You’ve mentioned NT member Evelyn Vaughn a couple of times. What do you like about her books?

What do I like about Evelyn Vaughn? Her story premises are inspired, weaving history, myth & legend into a contemporary mystery. Her characters are vivid and real, three-dimensional, honest portrayals that come to life in the reader's imagination. It's easy to become immersed in her story and resurface only when the last page is read. Overall, I'd call her books "compelling" and deserving of every accolade she has and will receive.

What do you struggle with in your writing?

Plotting -- I'm too controlling to "just let it happen" so my writing tends to be predictable...and thus, boring.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

Passing all four parts of the CPA exam on the first try while working full-time. More recently, climbing 165 steps to the main square (il centro) in Cortona -- and living to talk about it!

 
How was your vacation in Italy? See any settings or meet any characters you can use in your next story? 

Italy was fantastic -- just as beautiful and awe-inspiring as you can imagine. Every place is a potential setting and everyone we met was a "character." No romance potential, however. Drat it! The Italians fell into two categories. They were either very friendly, good-natured, and happy to see us. Or they were surly, impatient, and rude. We decided the latter group were just like the people at home that hate their job -- it wasn't personal, simply your basic, generalized unhappiness with life. I don't know how anyone could be unhappy living in Italy: pine-covered hills, brilliant green vineyards, huge fields of sunflowers, fuchsia bougainvillea spilling out of window boxes, and over all the bone-baking sunshine. Purely heaven on earth. Did I mention the shopping??