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Interview – Patricia M Osborne
When did you start writing novels, what moved you to start writing?
I started novel writing in 2013 after I finished my BA degree. Until this time, I had never considered writing a novel but have been writing poetry and short stories since I was around five or six-years-old.
In what genres do you write? Do you plan writing in other genres?
I write Women’s Fiction and mainly family sagas. However, I am also a poet and tend to write poetry in any genre but mostly in the narrative about nature and people. I have just finished researching myth, folklore and legend around trees for my MA dissertation and have written a collection of poetry on this theme. I also plan to expand this research to wildflowers and birds.
Tell us about your novels. Why should everyone buy them?
My novels are family sagas. A reader should buy them as they are well written having studied creative writing for over six years. My novels are written in an easy style with short chapters so a busy person can stop and start with ease.
What is your all time favorite novel/book? What makes it special?
Little Women. I loved reading about the family. The first time copy I had was from the school library. It was a little red book with thin pages and small print that I adored.
Tell us a bit about your writing process.
I start by writing notes in a notebook and doing some research before typing up the manuscript on the computer. Once I have a first draft I research in more depth and begin the editing and layering needed to bring my stories to life.
What author would you love to have dinner with?
Probably Barbara Taylor Bradford as I’ve been told by some readers that my writing is reminiscent of her early works. Perhaps she can offer me some tips.
Tell us about your hobbies and passions other than writing.
I love walking around my local lake and park taking photographs of the wildlife and trees. I also enjoy singing at my weekly community choir and spending time with family.
We have many followers who would like to start writing a book or are already writing their first novel, any advice for these brave people?
Don’t be afraid to get feedback from other writers. Critique is such a great tool. It’s hard at first to put your work out there but it isn’t scary for long. Attend writing courses, there’s always something to learn. I made my first visit to Swanwick Writers’ Summer School in Derby in 2016 and this August will be my fourth visit. Not only are the courses plentiful but you get the chance to mingle with other writers, make great friends, and build a network.
Once the novel is written, get an editor. A writer cannot edit their own work. Be ready for rejection and don’t give up. Rejection makes a writer.
How often do you write, daily, every other day or?
I try to do something every day although that’s not always possible. However, if I don’t have time to write then I make sure I critique a fellow writer’s work. Afternoon and evening is when my muse kicks in so I tend to use the mornings for marketing and household chores, editing for others etc, and then the afternoon and evenings for writing. It’s not unusual for me to be at the computer or writing in a notebook in the early hours when the muse won’t leave me alone.
Do you keep a notebook with ideas for your novels? If so do you carry the notebook with you so you won’t forget any ideas?
I definitely use a notebook. I have notebooks scattered around everywhere, one next to my bed, one in my handbag, notebooks in my study. If I wake up with an idea in the night, usually around 2am, then more often that not I will type it on my phone or iPad so I don’t disturb my husband by putting the light on.
How important is it to have your facts right and are there any instances when you bend history to fit your story?
Getting facts right is very important, even when you write fiction. The last thing an author wants is for a reader to tell them that they’ve got it all wrong.
What are you reading at the moment?
I am reading the Miniaturist by Jesse Burton which is a member’s choice from my Book Club.
How is it to be an author in your country? Do you have a good support from the local public?
I love being an author in my country and I’m lucky enough to attend an annual Writers Conference. Locally support has been given when I was offered a post as Poet in Residence at my local park. I also get the chance to participate in Crawley Wordfest, a local literary event that runs annually.
Certainly you have had some interesting episodes as an author, fans related or others, share one of them with us.
My favourite is getting email messages popping up in my inbox. For example: a male reader contacted me via my Facebook page to purchase a copy of House of Grace for his wife’s birthday. He later sent me this via a private message:
‘Hi Tricia, just thought I’d let you know that Jackie just read your novel cover to cover in the shortest time I’ve ever known her to read a book. She enjoyed it very much. Richard.”
A final message for our circleofbooks.com readers.
If anyone reads my novels then I always welcome feedback and would love to hear from them. I always answer messages.
Thank you Patricia. We at circleofbooks.com wish you much success!
Click here to visit the author page here on circleofbooks.com