HEARTS IN FLIGHT - Patty Hall - Free Book

Welcome to my blog, Patty. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think every writer puts a part of themselves into their characters. With Maggie Daniels, my heroine in Hearts in Flight, she’s got my determination to do something she didn’t ever think she could achieve. But determination can also be termed as stubborn, not a very attractive quality if used the wrong way.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Well, some people think the way I write is quirky. See, I write my first draft in longhand. I’m not sure why except that maybe writing it out gives me permission to mess up at times whereas if I’m on the computer, I want it to be almost perfect. So that tells you that once the story is on my flash drive, it’s almost ready.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was in elementary school, I wrote a series of poems for a sixth grade English assignment. Well, two years passed before I get a letter from Random House—my teacher had put a collection of poems together for a book and five of mine were selected. So I signed my first publishing contract at the age of eleven. The pay was so bad, I didn’t even get a copy of the book. LOL

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I’m a big history nut so I love autobiographies as well as historical fiction. I do read contemporaries but tend to stay away from horror or thriller types of books.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I look at every day as a blessing. My girls tell me sometimes that I’m just too perky and peppy but who couldn’t be—with a loving Father in heaven who loves me and sent His only Son to die for me; a great family; food on the table; clothes on my back. What is there to be down about?

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I’m big on family and friend’s names. Like Maggie Rose Daniels is after my mother, Margaret and my sister, Rose and Wesley is both my father’s and grandfather’s middle name. I can’t wait to use my best friend’s middle daughter’s name—Dania. Isn’t that pretty?

But I also pick names according to the story.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My family! My oldest daughter has graduated from college and is about to return to school to get her degree in Nursing. My youngest daughter is a college junior and an extremely talented writer and musician. And my husband is the most wonderful man in the world. I’m very blessed!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’d be a mutt simply because I’m very friendly, love most people, and love homecooking.

What is your favorite food?

Grits! When I’m sick or in the hospital for some odd reason, the only thing I will eat is a large bowl of grits with butter and salt. YUM!

I love grits with cheese and garlic or with fruit. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest problem I’ve ever had with my writing was my pantser ways. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a pantser—I know quite a few talented writers who write by the seat of their pants. I’m just not one of them. I needed to learn how to plot. So two years ago, I took some time off and took courses in plotting. One class that turned things around for me was Laurie Schnebly Plot Via Motivation class offered through WritersU. That one class taught me how to plot.

Tell us about the featured book.

Here’s the back cover blurb: Serving her country as one of the Women's Army Special Pilots is Maggie Daniels's dearest wish. But there are obstacles to overcome above and beyond the enemies in the Pacific, including her overprotective family, skeptical fellow pilots—and handsome, distant squadron leader Wesley Hicks. Whatever it takes, Maggie will prove herself to Wesley, until she succeeds in winning his admiration…and love.

Wesley can see that Maggie's a first-class pilot. She's also too fearless by half. The war has cost Wesley so much already. Can he let go of his guilt for a chance at happiness—and can he learn to trust in God…and Maggie…enough to believe in love for a lifetime?

Please give us the first page of the book.

      Chapter One

Georgia

1943

     “You’ll never catch a husband if you keep messing with that plane.”

     Maggie Daniels bumped her head against the instrument panel, the memory of her mother’s words at the breakfast table faintly ringing in her ears. She leaned against the weathered pilot’s seat, her fingers lifting to the knot forming at her hairline. Well, someone had to get Old Blue up and running or Daniels’ Crop Dusting would be permanently grounded.

     “Miss Daniels?”

     The deep timbre of a man’s voice rumbled against the worn pine hangar like her two-seater right before take-off. Hidden from the intruder’s view, Maggie peeked over the cockpit. Less than a wingspan away, an unfamiliar man stood with his back to her. A field of khaki cotton stretched across his broad back, his olive suit coat flung over his shoulder like a kite’s tail. What’s a flyboy doing in my hanger?

     “There’s no telling where the woman is at.” The plane shifted slightly as he leaned against its nose. “I’ve got other things to do than standing around here.”

     Heat crept up Maggie’s neck and into her cheeks. Why was it that men, at least the ones she knew, didn’t seem to have a patient bone in their bodies? Always assuming that a girl was more interested in what she put on her head rather than what she put in it? She poked a stray curl into the wool binding of her snood. Well, this war had changed all that, and if she could put her two cents in, she would say it’s about time.

     She grabbed the leather handrail and pulled herself upright. “Lookin’ for me, mister?”

Oh, I can't wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to hear from people through my website at www.pattysmithhall.com

Thank you, Patty, for dropping by.



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