That’s a great question! First, I write characters whose
faith is as important to them as it is to me. It’s organic in their daily
lives, and it’s what they rely on during difficult times. But it doesn’t make
them perfect! I also have been known to use family names for some of my
characters.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Quirky, huh? I don’t know if it’s quirky or not but I’m a
firm believer in research, and not just reading but DOING it. In my first book,
Hearts
in Flight, I crawled into a P-49 Spitfire and learned how to take off
and land a plane. I’ve also panned for gold and walked in the steps of Girl
Scouts who served as spies in WWI London. I’m really into research!
I love reading books
by authors who really make the story authentic to the times. When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I guess it was as a child. I wrote poetry which was fun and
creative, and something I truly loved. I showed a sixth-grade teacher my poems,
and a few years later, I received a contract in the mail—my teacher had
comprised a book of poetry from her students that was being published. So, I
guess you can say I had my first publishing credit when I was a kid.
Cool. Tell us the
range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love a little bit of everything. I mainly read historicals
because I’ve had a lifelong fascination with history. Growing up, I read the
entire history section of our library. I also love devotionals and non-fiction,
Bible-based books.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I start each day with
a Bible study and a prayer time. It keeps me grounded in the Word.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
As I mentioned before, I use family names quite a bit in my
novels and novellas, and believe it or not, they love it! My cousins are always
asking me when I plan to use their names.
I’ve used family
names sometimes. Once when I went to a local Chinese buffet, the owner and I
were talking about things. When he found out I write books, he asked me to use
his name in a book. I actually used the name in two books, because that character
was in book 2 and book 3 of a series. What is the accomplishment that you are
most proud of?
My family. My husband, Danny and I have been married for
almost 37 years. We have two beautiful, intelligent daughters, a son-in-law we
consider our own. And of course, our grandson who happens to be the smartest,
handsomest three-year-old on the planet!
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A Yorkie—I'm completely devoted to those I love, but if you
make me mad, I wouldn’t think twice about voicing my opinion.
What is your favorite
food?
My mom’s German Chocolate Cake. It’s the absolute best thing
I’ve ever put in my mouth.
I love German
Chocolate Cake. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest roadblock is getting started! Those first full
chapters are like pulling teeth, but I push through. By the third or fourth
chapter, I’m flying along.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Crinoline Cowboys
came about when one of my former editors kept asking me to write a western
romance. I never saw myself writing that—most of my books are set in the
South—until I took a class on Western history and learned about how Southerners
fled to Texas
after the Civil War. It was around that time I found the book, How to be a Kick A** Cowgirl and all the
pieces fell into place. Long story short, Crinoline Cowboys is about four
Southern belles who make their way to Crinoline
Creek , Texas . Cowboy
of Her Own is about a Southern belle/bookworm who soon learns that real
life ranching is different from what she’s read in books.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Carter Wilbanks grabbed his younger sister and tossed her
over his shoulder like a sack of corn meal. An eleven-year-old girl spitting
with the cowhands and beating them if their long faces were anything to go by.
Goodness Gracious, Ma would be spinning in her grave if she could see the mess
he’d made with Cassie.
“Carter!” The girl squirmed as he turned toward the ranch
horse. “Why’d you take me away like that?
I wasn’t doin’ nothin’ wrong!”
The fact she didn’t see the harm in what she was just
another example of how he’d failed her. He should have taken more time with the
girl. But he’d been too busy getting the ranch on solid footing, growing the
dream his parents had shared with him when they left Kentucky ten years ago. Still, that was no
reason to neglect his duties as a brother.
“I bet I could outspit you!”
“Probably,” Carter answered, walking across the yard to the
house. “From what I can tell, you’ve had a lot of practice at that disgusting
habit.”
“The boys do it. Big John says I’m the best he’s ever seen.”
Excitement crept into her voice. “Said I might be the best in all of Crinoline
Creek.”
He’d have to have a word with his cook when he got back to
the house. The man knew how much the girl looked up to him. Carter shifted her
weight on his shoulder. “Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should.
“Are you mad at me?”
Cassie’s girlish whisper curled its way around his heart.
“No,” he answered softly.
It wasn’t her fault she’d grown up wild and untethered as an unbroken
mustang. No, he laid the blame solely at his feet. It’d been easier to outfit
her in dungarees and cowboy boots than the frills and laces girls seemed to
enjoy. What did he know about raising a child?
Nothing, but it was time he took responsibility and helped
his sister become the lady their parents would have wanted. “I don’t want to see you spitting with the
hands again. Is that clear?”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
You can find me at my webpage, www.pattysmithhall.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I’d love
to hear from your readers!
Thank you, Patty.
Your book sounds wonderful. I’m eager t read it.
Readers, here are links to the book.
Crinoline Cowboys - Christianbook.comCrinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas - Amazon Paperback
Crinoline Cowboys: 4 Southern Women Head West to Crinoline Creek, Texas - Kindle
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12 comments:
Oohh this looks good.
Abigail in VA
Oh my goodness! I'm already in love with Cassie & her big brother Carter, just from the first page! So glad your former editors encouraged you to write a western romance!
Robin in NC
Thank you for the interview with Patty Smith Hall and for informing us about COWBOY OF HER OWN.
Sounds like a fabulous book and one I'm sure I would enjoy reading. It's now on my TBR list and can't wait for the opportunity to read it. Can't wait to read more about the adventures of Carter and Cassie.
Kay Garrett of Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I’m with you, my mom’s German chocolate cake was amazing. I look forward to reading this book. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from rainy WV.
What a great book! I would love to read it!
Melanie Backus, TX
Thank you for such a warm welcome! I truly loved writing this book, and I love Carter and Cassie too. As I mentioned in my interview, I use family member's names for my characters and this one is no different. Madalyn is named for my cousin's only daughter, and Carter is my grand boy's name! He just turned three and is one of the joys of my life!
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book, I love the novella collections.
Wendy in Nebraska
wfnren at aol dot com
I love grabbing a good "cowboy" story once in awhile and it is super fun to have a collection of themed novellas to read where you can have a quick-to-finish read that is fun and relaxing. The Barbour collections are most always lots of fun to read. Patty Smith Hall's contribution to the set sounds like such a fun read.
Ms. Patty - in regards to using family names in books, I am quite certain mine has never intentionally been used, but it is always fun when I find a "Vera" in a book.
Vera in the middle of North Carolina
Thanks Ms. Lena for another author introduction
I Love reading books with cowboys Thank you for an amazing post please enter me in the book giveaway SARAH TAYLOR WATERLOO,OHIO SARAHTAYLOR601973(at)YAHOO(dot)COM
Can't resist a cowboy!
Caryl K in TEXAS
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Patty, I loved reading this interview and finding out more about you! I didn't know you've flown a plane. I took flying lessons for several years back in the day! I love the idea of a bookworm cowgirl!
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