Author Spotlight: Patricia Gligor

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Patricia Gligor back to Reade and Write. She’s been a guest several times, and she’s here today to talk about her new release, Murder at Maple Ridge.

Congratulations on your latest release! Tell us a little about the book, Murder at Maple Ridge.

Thank you, Amy. And, thank you for inviting me to be your guest today.

Murder at Maple Ridge is the second book in my Small Town Mystery series. Kate Morgan attends a New Year’s Eve party at Maple Ridge, the home of Chad Hollingsworth, the man she’s been dating for over a year. Although Chad warns her “there will be a lot of drinking and drama” when his extended family gets together, neither of them expects there to be a murder.

Remind readers about the first book in the Small Town Mystery series, Secrets in Storyville.

When Kate stumbles upon a long buried family secret, she’s faced with a dilemma. Should she ignore what she’s learned? Or, should she reveal the secret, which could hurt the people she loves and which would change all of their lives forever?

Tell us more about the main character of the series, Kate Morgan: what motivates her to want to be a writer, what does she do in her spare time, etc.

Kate loves a good mystery. For years, she’s dreamed of writing a novel – and she finally has. But the similarities between her manuscript and what actually happens at Maple Ridge are uncanny – and unnerving.

When she’s not at her job, Kate divides her time between her eleven-year-old daughter, Mandy, Chad Hollingsworth and writing.

What was the hardest thing about writing Murder at Maple Ridge?

I’m a morning writer. That’s when I’m most productive. If I miss that window of opportunity, I lose a day of writing. Unfortunately, due to life’s circumstances, that happened several times when I was working on the book but, other than that, the writing went well. I’m a plotter and I always create an outline before I start to write. Granted, it changes as I write but it helps to keep the story flowing. I’ve tried being a pantser – just sitting down and writing off the top of my head – but that doesn’t work for me.

Is Maple Ridge based on a real place? If so, tell us about it. Did you stick close to the original in the story? Have you made changes to fit your story?

Yes. The fictional Maple Ridge is based on a house I’ve admired and been drawn to for several years. Every time I drove to one of our state parks about an hour from where I live – to swim, hike or just sit by the lake relaxing – I would see the house and think, “I wonder who lives there.” In my book, I created characters and a plot to answer that question. Although the description of the outside of the house is accurate, I adapted the inside to fit my story.

What’s next for Kate Morgan?

There will be a third book in my Small Town Mystery series and Kate will once again be the main character but that’s all I can say at this point. However, there’s a “hint” at the end of Murder at Maple Ridge, which will provide a clue as to what will happen in the next book.

Are you working on any other writing projects right now?

No. I’m a book-a-year writer and, although I have some ideas for my next book and I look forward to writing it, I’m currently in the “I need a break” phase of the writing cycle. It’s a chance for me to catch up on the many household chores I neglected while I was focused on the book.

What’s your favorite way to promote your books?

First of all, I tell everyone I know that I have a new book out. Secondly, I use social media to promote it. My favorite place to promote is Facebook but I also post on Goodreads, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. and my books are listed on BookBub.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

My favorite part of the whole process is the actual writing. When characters and plot ideas spring to life. My least favorite is waiting with bated breath to see how my “baby” will be received by readers.

Now for some fun rapid-fire questions:

Coffee, tea, or some other beverage? Coffee.

Early bird, night owl, or something in between? Early bird – but not too early. LOL

Snacks: sweet or salty? Both but mostly sweet. I love chocolate!

Favorite season? Summer, well except for the high humidity.

Favorite color? Turquoise. All shades from aqua through teal. The color makes me think of the ocean, my favorite place to be.

Where can readers find you online?

Blog: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.gligor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaGligor

Amazon author page

     

 Thanks for visiting, Pat, and best wishes with your new book! I have it on my Kindle, and I’m eager to get started on it!

Until next time,

Amy

Meet Patricia Gligor

Today on Reade and Write I welcome Patricia Gligor, author of the Malone Mystery series. She’s here to talk in particular about her newest book, Mistaken Identity. Glad you could be here, Pat!

Tell me about your new book.

In Mistaken Identity, the fourth book in my Malone mystery series, my main character, Ann, and her two young children leave Cincinnati to vacation on Fripp Island in South Carolina with Ann’s sister, Marnie. While going for an early morning walk on the beach the day after the Fourth of July fireworks, Ann finds the body of a young woman in the sand.

Who is the audience for the book?

A tough question. Although my main character is female, both men and women play important parts in the series and my characters encompass all ages from children to senior citizens. However, if I have to pick a specific audience, I would say “women from nineteen to ninety.”

Tell me about the setting of your book- how did you choose it, what kind of research did you have to do, why did you choose it?

In order to write about a place, I need to have a “feel” for it and I’ve visited (and loved) Fripp Island and Beaufort, South Carolina, the settings for the book. As I always do when I travel, I took lots of photos while I was there, and picked up pamphlets and maps to bring home with me. (I never know what places will one day end up in one of my books.) Of course, in addition to first-hand experience, I do some of my research online.

What was the hardest thing about writing the book?

I think the hardest part, the toughest decision for me in writing the book, was how much actual southern dialect to include because I wanted my readers to “hear” the characters speak.

Tell me about your other books. 

As I mentioned, Mistaken Identity is the fourth in the series. The first three are Mixed Messages, Unfinished Business, and Desperate Deeds. All three take place in Cincinnati, my (and Ann’s) hometown.

Are you in one or more critique groups or partnerships?

I am. I belong to the Queen City Writers Critique group and I wouldn’t trade the other members for the world.

Do you write every day?

Normally, yes. I usually write between two and four hours every morning. Sometimes though, “life” gets in the way and family obligations have to be the priority.

When you read a book, what authors do you like best? What genres do you like best?

I love mystery novels, from cozies to suspense. Mary Higgins Clark and Joy Fielding are two of my favorite authors and there are so many small press authors whose books I enjoy that the list is too long to post here.

Where would you like to go more than anywhere else on earth?

Just about any tropical Spanish speaking country with gorgeous beaches. Two of my favorite vacations were to Mexico and Puerto Rico.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Develop a social media presence BEFORE you submit your manuscript to an agent or a publisher. Set up a blog and/or website, join several social media groups including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Post on your blog and on the sites regularly and participate in the discussions. In other words, get your name out there FIRST because agents and publishers are sure to Google your name. If they come up with a blank, even the greatest novel of the century will most likely be rejected because they won’t even bother to read it.

That’s always the advice I give people, too, because it’s the best advice I ever received.

What is your favorite movie and why?

If I absolutely have to pick just one, I’d have to say Delores Claiborne starring Kathy Bates.

Describe yourself in three words. 

Gorgeous, sexy and brilliant. (LOL) I’m sorry, Amy, I couldn’t resist. I know I’m honest, loyal and determined but that sounds so boring – more like a cocker spaniel than a person.

Great answer!!

Is there anything I haven’t asked that you wanted me to?

Yes. I’d like to mention my WIP. I’m currently (slowly but surely) working on the fifth Malone mystery. If all goes as planned, Marnie Malone will be published before the end of the year.

Where can readers connect with you?

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/patricia.gligor 

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/patriciagligor 

My blog – http://pat–writersforum.blogspot.com/ 

Where can readers find your books?

My books can be ordered from any bookstore and they’re available at several online sites in paper and eBook versions. The link to my amazon author’s page is:

http://tinyurl.com/8sd2cz4

    

Thanks for being here today, Pat!

Until next week,

Amy