Interview with Patti Ann Colt

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with romance writer Patti Ann Colt, whose debut novel, The Daddy Spell, will be released by The Wild Rose Press just in time for Thanksgiving 2007. Patti Ann arrived at the interview with infant grandson Zachary in tow, and I could clearly see that he was the light of her life. Over the next few hours, we discussed her breakthrough publication, her background in romance writing, and what the future holds for Patti Ann.

Tiffany: Thank you for talking to me today. Let me start by asking you to tell me a little bit about yourself - what you want your readers to know about Patti Ann, the person.

Patti Ann: There are so many words that can describe my life. I am an Army wife, the mom of three grown children, and just recently became a grannie as well. I've been an avid reader all of my life. My father used to read Heidi, by Johanna Spyri, to me when I was a little girl and I started reading novels on my own in fourth grade when I became enthralled with Nancy Drew. It wasn't until high school that I discovered the world of romance.

Tiffany: Have you always known that you would one day become a romance writer?

Patti Ann: No, not at all. After my children were born, I quit my job to stay home with them. During that time, I read a few romance novels that I would refer to as "wallbangers" - they were so bad that I wanted to throw them against the wall. It was then that I began writing my own novels.

Tiffany: When you began writing, did you start out in the romance genre?

Patti Ann: Absolutely. That's what I've always read and enjoyed and so it was where I automatically gravitated. I learned that the romance writing community is very good about sharing knowledge, so it wasn't hard for me to get started and get on track and learn the craft.

Tiffany: Going from raising babies to writing fiction is quite a change. How did you prepare to write romance novels?

Patti Ann: I hit the bookstore and bought a few how-to books, and then signed up for classes online that were offered by published romance authors. After that, I simply began to write.

Tiffany: What was the most valuable lesson that you learned when you began to write your first work?

Patti Ann: I learned that it's not as easy as it looks! I knew that I could produce writing better than the "wallbangers" that drove me nuts, but it definitely was not as easy as it looked. Producing good writing means a willingness to look at yourself and be flexible about your thoughts and ideas. You have to be able to accept them when they're good and kill them when they're bad.

Tiffany: As you continued to write and work on additional novels, what were your hardest or greatest challenges to overcome?

Patti Ann: The hardest challenge for myself, or for any other writer, is time. It takes disciplined time at the desk to produce solid work. It takes patience. You want the book to come out of your head and onto paper and be exactly as it was in your head and it never happens that way. First drafts can be crap...it takes a lot of editing to come to a final draft.

Tiffany: A lot of editing and a lot of writing - so how does your typical day normally shape up when you are working on your latest novel?

Patti Ann: With a new grandbaby in my life, my schedule has changed a bit! Some days, I write in the morning; some days at night. I find that I do my best writing between eight in the morning and noon...but you'll never find me writing before two cups of coffee! I approach my writing methodically - I'm not a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of writer. I have to plot out the story ahead of time and figure out who all of the characters are. Once I figure out the major plot points, I can begin to lay out the story. I try to spend six hours per day working on writing and writing-related activities. Since The Daddy Spell was accepted for publication, I've spent more time on marketing than writing, but I still try to write every single day.

Tiffany: How has your family been involved in your writing? Do they read along as you're writing, or give input to your works?

Patti Ann: My oldest daughter has actually taken a big interest in everything surrounding my writing, including reading rough drafts and making comments for revisions. She's come to understand the work process and what it takes to produce the final edits for a finished novel. My younger daughter and my son keep tabs on me by asking about my progress and what is going on with my writing quite regularly. My husband has been very supportive of my journey as a writer and has been a great resource for the background details I needed for a few of my stories. And, of course, my grandbaby Zachary has just been an absolute inspiration, even if it is a challenge to balance feeding an infant with proofing galleys!

Tiffany: I can only imagine - but I'm sure he gave you his best opinion! Let's change gears a bit and talk what you've done to excel in writing. You've said that you found the romance writing community to be very sharing. What resources from that community have you used while working on The Daddy Spell and your other works?

Patti Ann: My number one resource has been my critique group. A live group with similar goals to provide encouragement and feedback is priceless. I've also found online workshops to be the absolute greatest thing - they can teach you a lot without even leaving your living room.

Tiffany: Let's talk a little bit about your critique group. I understand that you founded the Online Romance Writers Circle in 2004?

Patti Ann: That's true. I met a few other women in an online writing workshop, and we decided to form our own group. I'd had a mixed-bag experience, myself, with receiving critiques on my writing. Some of the critters I worked with gave me constructive feedback, and that was helpful in the development of my writing. And then I came across one person who never, ever wrote a good review for anyone or any writing and completely flamed every story they encountered. That experience caused me to come very close to quitting as a writer, but then I learned that there are times when you can take criticism to heart, and others when you have to walk away. The Online Romance Writers Circle was founded to give writers a place to interact, support, and give feedback that would positively enhance writing. The Daddy Spell would not exist today if not for the support and feedback of that group.

Tiffany: Tell me about how you began writing The Daddy Spell.

Patti Ann: Fall is my favorite time of year. I love anything fall-related: the change of weather, leaves, and pumpkins. When my children were younger, their second grade classes took field trips to a pumpkin farm. They were taught about raising pumpkins and had the chance to ride out into the field to pick a pumpkin. Thinking about that, the idea was born.

Tiffany: From an idea to a finished work and now to a published novel - what was your journey towards publication like for you as an author?

Patti Ann: I wrote for ten or twelve years while my kids were little, toying with The Daddy Spell and a few other works. When the kids got to be old enough that they didn't need as much of my attention, I began to think seriously about publication. Around that time, we moved to the Dallas area, which was larger than where we'd been stationed last in Alabama and offered more resources and support for writers. The associations that I gained with other writers pushed me - it took me beyond looking simply at my writing and to the point where I could envision having my work in print.

Tiffany: What was the greatest obstacle you encountered while seeking publication?

Patti Ann: Mental attitude - you have to get to the point where you believe you are worthy of selling - that what you've got written is worthy of someone reading it. Once you hit that point and send a work in for review, you're on the road. I went through many years of not submitting anything, because I was not confident about what I was putting on paper. Defeating that attitude is what allowed me to move forward.

Tiffany: What happened next?

Patti Ann: Well, I queried a few print houses but received rejections from them for The Daddy Spell. Then, a few of the women in my critique group began to look into releasing their works with eBook publishers, and enjoyed a lot of success by going that route. I submitted The Daddy Spell to The Wild Rose Press in May of 2007 and within a few weeks, they requested the full manuscript to read through. Fast forward a few months, and they are preparing to officially release my novel on November 14^th.

Tiffany: Describe the premise of The Daddy Spell - what treats lie ahead for those who purchase your work.

Patti Ann:The Daddy Spell is a contemporary romance set in the fictitious town of Echo Falls, Texas. In the story, twin girls Boo and Lindy cast a daddy spell, hoping that their magic will snare the perfect mate for their disillusioned mom, Robin. From seemingly out of nowhere, a handsome farmer name Chad appears in their lives and works his own special pumpkin magic to show that happily ever after actually exists. The Daddy Spell is the first book in the Echo Falls series.

Tiffany: Sounds exciting! How can readers purchase your novel, or learn more about your writing?

Patti Ann: To purchase a copy of The Daddy Spell, visit http://www.thewildrosepress.com. You can learn more about the characters in The Daddy Spell and about Echo Falls by visiting my Web site, which is http://www.pattianncolt.com.

Tiffany: Very good. I'm sure you can guess what my next question will be: what does the future hold for you, Patti Ann? When can readers expect the next installment of your Echo Falls series?

Patti Ann: I've already begun writing the sequel to The Daddy Spell, so hopefully your wait will be a short one. In the meantime, you can also visit my Web site to read a special epilogue that continues the story begun in The Daddy Spell.

Tiffany: How about life beyond Echo Falls? Are there any genres you might want to branch into in the future? Any other works in progress that we might get to read in the next few years?

Patti Ann: Absolutely. I have several other works in progress in various stages of writing, as well as a few that I'm working to edit. Looking beyond those works, there are several directions that I may head in the future, including erotica. One of the nice things about romance is that you can branch out and write so many genres while staying in the realm of romance. I have one futuristic sci-fi already plotted, as well as a historical. Whether I'll go back and write these, I don't know - but they are fun to envision. Romance has so many aspects to it that you can sit down when you have a whim and just flow with it.

Tiffany: It sounds like you have a good handle on the future - I'm sure you'll enjoy much success. I want to thank you for taking the time to sit down with me today. As we conclude this interview, do you have any words of advice to offer to anyone seeking to become published authors?

Patti Ann: You bet. I offer this thought: You can't write if you don't read. Everybody has time to read - even the busiest person - it's just finding the time to do it. Get involved in a critique group - the support and feedback you will receive will be invaluable. And further your own skills, no matter your current level of writing, by using the resources that are readily available through the Internet, like writing workshops and other learning opportunities.

Tiffany: Thank you, again. Best wishes with all of your endeavors and congratulations on the release of The Daddy Spell.