Author Interviews

Interested in the person behind the book? Author Interviews brings you their story. Why they write, what they write, what they read.

*****************************************************************


Patricia Crandall - Tales of an Upstate New York Bottle Miner

Where did you grow up and did that influence your decision to write?

I was born in Bennington, Vermont. In my early years, my family moved often as my father was a purchasing agent for General Cable Corp. I was a curious child and each move satisfied my inquisitive mind concerning what people do with their lives, a sense of time and place. I have been writing and making up stories since age four.

What life experiences had an influence on your writing?

My father inspired my love of books and writing by telling me Uncle Wiggly stories with cliff-hanging endings. "and tomorrow night if the Rabbit Gentleman does not fall into the cabbage patch trap, I will tell you how he saves the chipmunk from the army of red ants."

What genre do you write and why?

I like to experiment with all genres. It is not in my nature to stay with any particular one.

What genres do you read?

Although I like various genres, my favorite is mystery. It all began with the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene when I was a pre-teen in the 1950's. Each holiday, I would request the latest Nancy Drew title and upon receiving it, I would curl-up in an oversized chair and begin reading the fast-paced adventure.

Some of your favorite authors.

As a writer, I find Agatha Christie an excellent study, particularly in developing characters, descriptive scenes and her exceptional talent attributed to writing a variety of books including original mystery plays, romantic novels, a memoir of archaeological expeditions in Syria, poetry and her area of expertise, plotting mysteries. Harper Lee and her outstanding "To Kill A Mockingbird" is high on my list.

Are you writing a book right now?

A Reunion of Death is a mystery involving old friends gathering at Willoughby Chase, an estate located in the Grafton, NY mountains. During week-end festivities, the friends experience tension and excitement as they discover their faults and imperfections. An Autumn ball is the main event, and murder.

Ready for publication is The Pink Victorian Lady and Other Stories. A collection of tales having a certain easy charm - Gert and Nina, friends for many years, now share a common passion - bottle mining. Gert and Nina meet an eclectic variety of characters as they trade-off collectibles and old bottles at flea markets and solve gentle mysteries involving neighbors, past students, farmers, and hicks in and around the upstate New York community of Indian Falls. Gert and Nina are likeable, interesting protagonists, and I have revealed a life unknown to most city dwellers in these stories.

Do your characters ever define themselves to you?

If I take the time to listen, they become very much alive and take over the story, making writing easy. It takes a while to find their voices, however.

Sharon Roberts author of “Olympic Gold for Cat and Toby”

Where did you grow up and did that influence your decision to write?

My Father was a Coast Guard search and rescue pilot. As a military brat I lived in seven states during my school years. I have a speech impediment which made changing schools difficult for me. I took refuge in books. That love for books eventually led to my writing.

What genre do you write and why?

I write for preteen and teens about horses, because books and horses were my two passions at that age.

What genres do you read?

I enjoy most genres. Mystery, scifi, political intrigue and equine, are my favorites.

Some of your favorite authors?

John Grisham, Michael Crichhton, Mary Higgins Clark, Tom Clancy, Issac Asimov, Anne McCaffrey, Anna Sewell and Linda Kohanov are a few of them.

Do your characters ever define themselves to you?

Definitely. My characters came to me and told me their story and kept telling it to me till I wrote it down. Even then they weren’t happy, they would redefine something to me so I could understand what they meant and write it correctly.