MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CHRIS PATTERSON

MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CHRIS PATTERSON

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What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

I write under two pen names. My name, Chris Patterson, is rather common, there are 7 of them in Austin alone. So I write Fantasy and Magic that borders on Science fiction under Chris Patt and I co-write some horror slasher things under C. Patt.

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

Oh my. Well I double dog dared my book club to a short story contest. Joke was on me! A friend said she wanted a Mayan hero, another wanted a vampire, a third demanded a dragon. And boom a story was born. It was just a short, we never made it out of the jungle, but I couldn’t let the story end that way. It took a while but now it is two books. There are five total in the Bloodborne series––already plotted out––and with the Dragon Keeper series Celestra Rose has her own set coming out starting later this year. (She is harder to write, that pesky thing)

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How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I write what I love. I read with a vengeance.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I wish there was some fun story about going cave diving in the jungles but mostly it is watching Ancient Aliens when I come up with my favorite plot twists. My husband is a fan and I tend to get stuck hearing the shows as I drift off to sleep. I did do a lot of background on the area and the Mayan culture when I was plotting the series out.

Can you tell me about your Series?

Mmm now that is a twisty little bit. I still try to do it without spoilers. Dalia is from two worlds. One is her heritage, the bloodline of a Mayan woman sacrificed by the fates. The other had deep roots within the Catholic Church. When things start changing she is faced often with a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. It is one of the reasons I love the characters so much. Keeping Dalia true to herself is the biggest challenge that she and I both face. Each book has new challenges, which also makes it very hard to not spoil any of it for you.

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Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

No, not yet. Honestly I love each one for different reasons.

Was it always meant to become a series?

From the minute I decided that Dalia had too much to say to remain a short story it was always to be five books. The surprise was the spin off series for Celestra Rose.

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

There is no typical. The universe laughs when I try. I do my best to dictate a couple of chapters or more in a week when I am in the story. Edits are the hardest for me. Those are generally the weekends. I run a company during the week. Some seasons it needs more attention than others.

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

Yes, I have already started on Wolf Bites, which is book three in the Bloodborne series and I hope to get Dragon Keepers (which is the first book in Celestra’s series) out of edits by summer.

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

I love naming characters. They get a full work up, sometimes even what I call a “match.com” profile Q&A. They always have a picture of who was ‘cast’, but often they are not a Hollywood type.

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What is the hardest part of writing for you?

I think like most indies it is getting my book in front of people. Also feedback and reviews from them so I can see what they loved about the books. Thank you so much for doing this!

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I think they can be neat. I don’t have plans for one at this time.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

My marriage (the husband answered that one)

What’s the best thing about being an author?

I love world building. Making things in my head come to life.

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Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

The goal is to be about 20 books in by then; I have a lot of ideas. Time pinches them, we shall see.

Have you always liked to write?

Yes, but until a couple of years ago I would start things and move on to the next big and shiny one before I finished. My grandmother fussed and fussed. I like to think it took me a while but finally I see why she would ride me about it.

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

FINISH. The first draft won’t be perfect. Stop editing the first chapter over and over and make it all the way to the end.

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

I love to get feedback. I am always looking for new beta readers (the ones who give honest story input, both good and bad) I think it is important for growth and a human to learn how to be able to take feedback, good and bad. It is just as important to learn how to give positive and constructive feedback.

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Where did your love of books come from?

My grandmother was a school teacher and she would constantly send me things to read. I loved getting the magazines and books in the mail. She was a huge mystery reader, as well as all the classics. I do think she would have been a huge Harry Potter fan.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I think original IS what the readers want, they just don’t realize it. Here is so much out there it is harder to find. The basis of the story path or heart however, that remains fairly similar. Even Star Wars is a love story.

Do other authors you friends with help you become a better writer?

I think that it is so true of all things people love to do. Sharing the time and projects with others who are also doing it makes us more driven. Teaching it (or in this case sharing chapters for input) helps us become stronger at it. And lastly we all make our work stronger when we support each other.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

Crazy Things My Friends Say

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