Patricia Stoltey

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Exiting the Doldrums

December 6, 2018 By: Patricia

No, I haven’t been to the Equator

I’ve been lost in those other doldrums–the kind characterized by inactivity and slothfulness. I don’t feel depressed, just plain old-fashioned lazy. I’ve read a lot of books though. And I have applied my critique group’s suggestions to my work-in-process. But have I finished the big revision yet? Nope.

I am, however, encouraged by the stirring of interest–that little itchy feeling that says, “Get back to the story now. It’s time.”

Kerrie Flanagan will be my guest blogger December 12th

My interest in blogging has also returned. My next guest will be Kerrie Flanagan who has a fun and fascinating story to tell about working with another writer to create a novella trilogy in a genre neither had ever tackled before. The novellas were written under a pseudonym, and when I finally found out who Kerrie’s writing partner was, I was flabbergasted.

Really, I was.

You’ll learn more about that when Kerrie’s guest post appears on Wednesday, December 12th.

Large-Print edition of Wishing Caswell Dead coming in January

Good news! Thorndike’s Wheeler Publishing will release a large-print version of 2018 Colorado Book Award finalist in general fiction, Wishing Caswell Dead, on January 9, 2019. The book is listed for pre-order on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, so it can most likely be ordered through any bookstore. If you have a library card, I’d love to have you request your local library purchase the book. Large Prints are pricey, so library purchases are one of the best avenue for sales.

Wishing Caswell Dead is also available in hardcover regular print and as an ebook.

Pat’s New Personal Rules for Social Media in the Modern World

I’ve been exploring new ways to look at my online activities in this fast-evolving world of misinformation, subterfuge, and general nastiness. Some of my writer acquaintances are choosing to leave Twitter and Facebook, for many good reasons. For one thing, a big motivation for getting on there in the first place was the belief an online presence builds platform, grows an audience, and therefore sells books.

Well, as it turns out, not so much.

I haven’t left those two social media giants yet, but I am drastically changing the way I use them.

The idea of building a vast network of fans/readers on Facebook or Twitter might work for best-selling authors, but it’s a time suck for us regular old writers who publish or get published once in a while.

I’m now convinced a relatively safe venue such as a website and/or blog work much, much better.

What do you think? Whether you’re a writer or a reader (or both), are you avoiding Facebook and Twitter more? Where do you go to find books to read? How do you feel about Goodreads? Library Thing? Any book review sites you like? My favorite, just so you know, is Lesa’s Book Critiques blog.

Category: Books and Authors, Guest Blogger, The Writing Life

A Few Things I’ve Learned Over the Last Couple of Years

March 5, 2018 By: Patricia

We’re never too old to learn new life lessons. I seem to pick up a few insights every year–things I should have known sooner and other revelations that unfold as life unfolds. Here are some of the thoughts that wander through my sometimes unfocused mind. Social media is more anti-social than social. It’s a bad …Read More

Category: Books and Authors, The Writing Life, Writer's organizations

And So Another Year Ends…

December 31, 2016 By: Patricia

First I must thank Rich Keller whose very special blog post carried me through the second half of December, a month that ended on a sad note. My mom, age 97, developed a serious case of pneumonia complicated by severe sepsis. She passed away on December 27th. It seems every year of our lives is …Read More

Category: The Writing Life

Odds and Ends and a Rant About Phishing on Social Media

August 24, 2015 By: Patricia

First the odds and ends: Here are a couple of free ebooks for your Kindle — I’m not sure how long the first offer is available, but Marilyn’s will be free until the 28th of August. Wicked Game by Sasha White — this one is a thriller with romance and the plot sounds great. No …Read More

Category: The Writing Life

Mind Your Ps and Qs and Keep Your Nose Clean!

August 3, 2015 By: Patricia

My paternal grandmother meant a lot of different things when she said that. Such as: 1. Don’t do or say anything in public that will embarrass you or the rest of your family. 2. Don’t do or say anything that will start a feud with the neighbors. 3. Don’t do or say anything that will …Read More

Category: The Writing Life

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Meet Patricia

I read, I write, I blog, and sometimes I do the laundry and cook. My 2014 novel, Dead Wrong, was a finalist in the thriller category of the 2015 Colorado Book Awards. Wishing Caswell Dead (Five Star/Cengage, December 20, 2017) is a historical mystery set in 1830s Illinois in the fictitious Village of Sangamon. The novel was a finalist for the 2018 Colorado Book Awards for General Fiction. Read More…

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