About the book:
Love is not counted in years - Love is counted in heartbeats
Love is not bound by distance - Love is bound by blood
In the Ancient World, In the New World - Love will prevail
Some will kill for love — Some will die for love - Some will love until it hurts.
And some will make the greatest sacrifice of all.
"Paradox is not a story in a place - it is the legend of a whole world." Ella Medler.
Welcome, Patti. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?
I started writing at the end of 2009. I had just had my heart broken, and I needed to do something for me – other than feel sorry for myself – which I did for almost a year. So, rather than go out and get a haircut, buy a new outfit, a new pair of shoes, the usual feel-good therapy, I bought a new laptop and started writing the Paradox Series.
What do you like best about writing? What’s your least favorite thing?
The freedom to get lost in imaginary worlds, I love that. It's a total high. There is nothing you can't do. My least favorite thing is housework.
How did you come up with the title of your book?
I liked the word Paradox, what it means, so I wanted that to be the theme throughout the entire series.
Do you have another job outside of writing?
I also make book cover, trailers, formatting - for ebook and print - and promotional material for other authors.
Yes, you do. If anyone would like to see an example of your work, they can take a look at the book trailer you did for Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction, or your own book trailer here and over on my Trailer Park page.
Let's talk tweets. How would you describe your book in a tweet? (140 characters or less.)
"Paradox is not a story in a place - it is the legend of a whole world." --Book review by Ella Medler.
Excellent. How did you create the plot for this book?
I had no idea what I was doing, so I just started... I had an idea, but that soon changed along the way. Characters have a way of driving the story forward – they certainly have a mind of their own.
Yes they do. Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?
There you go... you know what I mean – seat of the pants/character driven.
Did you have any say in your cover art?
I design all my own cover art. I buy royalty-free images then manipulate them to fit the Paradox style.
What books have you read more than once or want to read again?
There are way to many books out there to be read, so I don't read the same book twice. Although, having said that, I am very tempted to re-read Stephen King's book on writing. That was so entertaining. What an incredible life and talent... not that I have read many of his books.
Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.
I love the Game Of Thrones series by George RR Martin. Big stories, big worlds, big cast of characters, plus dragons.
Have you ever bought any books just for the cover?
I have bought many books by the cover, many I am yet to read.
What do you do to market your book?
Twitter, Facebook and blogs, such as this one. Thank you, by the way. I also have a pretty extensive blog dedicated to the ancient Paradox world of Altair.
Do you have imaginary friends? When do they talk to you? Do they tell you what to write or do you poke them with a Q-tip?
My "friends" like to visit fist thing, when I wake up, or on the verge of waking up. They are also very prominent when I shower.
How do you get to know your characters?
I have an idea of who I think should play a part. Then I will go looking online until I find a face that fits the character. I buy it, print it out, and pin it to my character wall.
A character wall. I love it! Okay, Sophie’s choice: Do you have a favorite of your characters?
Way too many. But I have to say, I really like writing for the most vile ones...
I do too! When you start a new book, do you know what the entire cast will be?
I have my regulars, but there are always ones that come to visit because 1 – they have a part to play later on. And 2 – you have to have someone to exterminate.
Which character did you most enjoy writing?
At the moment I would have to say Abaddon. He doesn't look all that evil. But we all know looks can be very deceiving.
I’m constantly on the lookout for new names. How do you name your characters?
Bounce names around off the top of my head from favorite books, TV shows, movies or people I know.
What would your main character say about you?
I know where you live.
Bwah ha ha! I like writing characters who do and say things I never would, as well as characters who do and say things I wish I could. Do you have characters who fit into one of those categories?
Absolutely! All the time. I guess that is why I like writing for the vile ones. They do and say things I never would.
If you could be one of your characters, which one would you choose?
Holly. Kick arse Princess from the Ancient Forest Of Doors. She is part witch, has a hot body and great hair, and is great with a bow and arrow.
With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck on a deserted island?
Wade or Cerberus. If I were younger. Damon, Riley or Zach. Or Josh, if he wasn't so obsessed with Angela.
Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
I really like the Ancient world. Dragons, castles, witches, Angels, Grigori (vampires) ... I love all those scenes.
What song would you pick to go with your book?
I have a list. But for the Ancient world I really like "Two Steps From Hell." Most of my characters have songs that I have chosen just for them. For example "Halo" by Beyonce is the song I chose for Riley and Grace. For Cerberus and Cleona, "Fireflies" by Ron Pope. For Wade and Kate, "A drop in the ocean" by Ron Pope.
Who are your favorite authors?
George RR Martin, Game Of Thrones series.
Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix?
George RR Martin. And we would have pasta and prawns or Thai green curry or slow cooked lamb shanks.
What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?
Love my kindle! Currently reading book 3 (Game of Thrones) A storm of swords by George RR Martin.
How do you handle criticism of your work?
I love honest feedback, you can learn just as much, if not more from honest feedback, which in turn, helps you become a better writer. I know not everyone is going to like my books, not at all. There are millions of books out there that I don't like, doesn't mean they aren't great, just that they aren’t for me. Not everyone likes George RR Martin, yet I think he's brilliant.
Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning?
Mostly at night, when it's really quiet. Not that I'd know when I have my headphones on.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I have a writing desk, a very messy one, in my bedroom.
Where’s home for you?
Cairns, Australia.
Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.
Not sure if there is anything weird about Cairns.
Nice thing: we don't really have a winter.
Fact: Cairns is where the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests in the world, meets the Great Barrier Reef.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?
Never get writers block. I think when a writer gets writers block, it is because they are on the wrong track.
Is there anything in particular that you do to help the writing flow? Music? Acting out the scene? Long showers?
All of the above – plus looking at great pieces of art from DeviantArt – some really talented artists there – very inspirational.
What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.”
What three books have you read recently and would recommend?
All of the Game of thrones – I'm hooked.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Catch up with friends, read, watch a few of my favorite TV shows.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I'd like to own and operate a writers retreat on the Atherton Tablelands, which is about an hour’s drive from where I currently live.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? (Don’t worry about the money. Your publisher is paying.)
That would be me, so I would be paying! You know I love just taking a drive up to the tablelands – I love it up there. I traveled when I was a child quite a bit – so it isn't really in my blood to travel – hell, I do so much traveling in my head everyday!
What are you working on now?
Paradox – Equilibrium. Book 4 in the Paradox Series. And, I am about to begin co-authoring a book with a very talented indie author... A romance/feel-good/drama, due for a Christmas 2013 release. There is also a paranormal/mystery in the works, but I'll have to see how I'm traveling for time.
I want to mention that Patti is sponsoring a Kindle giveaway for Christmas. The winner will not only get a Kindle, but several ebook copies as well. (Including Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction!) Click on the graphic under "Kindle Giveaway" on the sidebar of this blog to be taken to Patti's website for more information. Thanks, Patti for sponsoring that giveaway and for talking with me.
Thank you, Amy for taking the time in getting to know me. I really appreciate it.
Patti Roberts was born in Brisbane Australia but soon moved to Darwin in the Northern Territory. Her son Luke was born in 1980. She currently lives in Cairns, Queensland where she is writing the Paradox Series of books. Paradox – The Angels Are Here, is the first book in the Paradox Series and was first published as an eBook with Smashwords in 2010 and Amazon in 2011. Patti continues to write the Paradox Series. It is Patti's wish to one day own and operate a writer's retreat in FNQ - Australia.
Find Patti:
Blog
Facebook page
Goodreads author page
Amazon
