Patty Froese on Writing

Thanks, Patty, for coming back today to talk about writing. First, if you weren't writing what would you be doing?

Writing. I'm not even joking! I don't have any other interests. I'm too tunnel visioned. I like to go out and see friends, have family days at the park, that sort of thing, but job-wise there is absolutely nothing else I want to do.

Do you have a schedule (daily or book-long) for writing or do you just go with the flow?

I tend to go with the flow, but I'm pretty focused about finishing my projects.  So while I don't give myself a personal deadline, I feel frustrated if it isn't flowing fast enough for my liking...  That probably makes me a bit of a workaholic!

How about the people and/or animals you share space with. Do they know not to bother you when you are writing, or are there constant interruptions?

My husband is good about giving me my writing space, but my son hasn't figured that out yet.  He HAS learned, however, that if he wants to get a later bedtime, all he has to do is get me writing and I'll lose track of time.  LOL

That is your four-year-old, right? They are so smart! Tell me, if you came with a warning label, what would it say?

"If rash occurs, discontinue use."  :)  I'm only half-way joking.  I get really cranky when I can't get enough writing time in, so when that happens, my husband has learned to point me at my laptop and leave me alone for an evening. ;)

What do you hope readers take away with them after reading your work?

I hope that they'll leave my book with a feeling of hope, a sense that God will work it all out beautifully in his time.  We all long for love and passion, and I truly believe that there is a lid for every pot.  We just have to hang in there.

Do readers ever contact you?

Yes, all the time.  In fact, I love sharing everyday minutia with my readers on Facebook.  I feel like I know them, and I think they feel the same thing in return.  It's a great relationship.

Do your fans comments or questions influence you in any way?

A kind word goes a long way, I have to say.  When someone says something nice about my work, or just a hello, that connection matters to me.  I don't just write for myself, I write for my readers, and knowing that they connected with my work makes it all worthwhile.