What is your favorite craft book?
It’s so funny that you ask. Every time I start a new book, it’s like, how did I do this before? With so many good craft books, that’s a hard question to answer. Right now, I’m studying Story Genius by Lisa Cron in preparation for the next book in the Pearl Springs series.
Which do you think is the most underrated craft book?
Randy Ingermanson’s How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method. Why? I wish more beginning writers studied it because it shows how to write a novel using a story to explain the concepts.
What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?
The MidSouth Christian Writers Conference!
What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?
K. M. Weiland’s blog—she changed the way I write books.
Who is your writing mentor/inspiration? Why?
Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck took me under their wings ten years ago and taught me how to write. They poured themselves into new writers at their Deep Thinkers Retreats—it was like a college education crammed into eight days.
What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received? Why was it bad?
I’ve never received bad writing advice. Maybe it’s the writers I hang out with… 😉 I will say that a lot of people when asked this question respond with Write what you know. But, I think they misunderstand the advice. I write romantic suspense that usually involves a murderer. Now, I’ve never murdered anyone, but I can understand the emotions that might drive someone to do that. So, the way I take that advice is, identify the emotion of a scene and write what you know about that emotion.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t give up…and study the craft and find a good mentor. I wrote for many years making the same mistakes because I wasn’t involved with a critique group or a mentor to tell me that’s what I was doing. Once I got connected to a great writing group, my writing improved.
What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?
The same as what I received—study the craft, get connected, and don’t give up. The publishing world moves very s-l-o-w-l-y.
What is your best self-editing tip or advice?
Use the dictation feature in Word before you submit your manuscript. Let it read your story to you—so many things will jump out at you. Missed words, typos, cadence, and more.
Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.
I believe that all writers are called by God to write—it’s too difficult a task otherwise. If He called you to do it, He will empower you, but you have to let Him have control. Let it be in His timing. If I’d been published any earlier than I was, I would be so embarrassed by that book. I learned so much in the year just before I received a contract. All I wanted was to sell one book, but by waiting I was offered a contract for three books. Wait on Him.
For years I focused on Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I was delighting, but I didn’t see the desires being fulfilled. Then one day as I read that psalm, verse 7 jumped out at me: “Wait patiently for the Lord to act…” That’s why I say, “Don’t give up!”
Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.
Counter Attack released May 16, 2023. I loved writing this book! Not only did I get to revisit the game of chess, but I got to delve into the mysterious world of the Dark Web. Here’s the back cover copy: A brand new heart-stopping series from a USA Today bestselling author.
No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen’s Gambit Killer strikes again–this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex’s real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer’s calling card–a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it–cannot be ignored.
Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can’t believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can’t help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it’s too late.
Patricia Bradley is the author of sixteen Romantic Suspense books set in the South. She is the winner of a Selah award and an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. She’s been the keynote speaker at several conferences where she also teaches workshops on writing fiction.
She and her two rescue kitties call Corinth, Mississippi home, and when she’s not writing, she likes to throw mud on a wheel to see what comes out.
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