Author interview - Patricia Lynne

I'm very excited today to have Patricia Lynne for my first ever author interview here on the blog. Patricia is the author of the terrific YA paranormal book Being Human. Let's get to it!

Marie: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

Patricia: I live in Michigan with my hubby, who I married April 1st 2011. I thought it'd be fun to do something serious on a day all about pranks. It was very last minute too. We forgot to bring money and I had to borrow $20 from my best friend to pay the marriage fee. Let's just say, it was a very memorable day. Anyways, I've always been creative, in high school, I was all about art and went to Grand Valley State for a year and half for art. I dropped out because I couldn't see what an art degree would get me. People told me teaching and I reminded them I have a strong dislike for kids. I like my nephews, but mostly because I can give them back. Rocks have more maternal instincts that I do.

Marie: Where did you get the idea for Being Human?

Patricia: Thirsty by M.T. Anderson. I actually haven't read the book. Sometimes, I get books and I flip through them because I don't feel like getting into reading at the moment. The ending of the book was so hopeless that it stuck with me. I kept wondering what happens next? Then Tommy pops up in my head with what could happen next. Of course, I ended up with my own vampires that are quite different from the ones in Thirsty, but that's where the initial inspiration came from.

That and wanting a vampire that wasn't a whiny pussy like Edward Cullen.

Marie: I’m sure you get this question a lot, but what were some of your main reasons for becoming an indie author?

Patricia: I'm a control freak. lol kidding! When I first started thinking about publishing Being Human, I looked into the traditional route. I had agents bookmarked, researched how to write queries. Then things started changing and self publishing became a more viable options. And more appealing. While looking into traditional, I learned I'd lose control in certain aspects. I wanted to be in charge of my cover and title. It felt like traditional, I wouldn't have a say. I could make suggestions, but someone else would be making the final decision for MY book.

Marie: What/who inspires you?

Patricia: Heather Brewer. I love her Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series and I have her latest book, First Kill which is a spin off series of CoVT. One day, it just hit me that if she could get a book published I could too. Plus, she loves Green Day and I love Green Day. It's like we're sisters! Okay, maybe not.

Marie: What has your writing journey been like? When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Patricia: I never, ever, ever, ever thought I'd be an author. In high school, I did not care about writing and honestly, I wasn't very good at it. In college, the English class I took, I got a D on a story assignment. Then one night, I had a dream about this girl and a vampire. They wanted to be together but the cast of True Blood wanted to keep them apart. When I woke, I thought it'd be fun to write it down. I changed who wanted to keep my characters apart, but it was pretty much the start. I wrote another story after that and before I knew it, more were coming. Then I started Being Human and it hit me as a story I wanted to share with others. I hunkered down and started learning about writing. I don't think I'd get anymore Ds in a writing class.

Marie: What types of books do you like to read?

Patricia: Anything with paranormal creatures. I love vampires and werewolves. Most of my stories will have one or both of those creatures. Another favorite type is ones about disorders, like cutting or bulimia. Those ones always get on the edge of my seat hoping the main character overcomes this compulsion and gets better. Last favorite type of read is true crime about serial killers. I probably know way too much about serial killers. (The TV show Criminal Minds, my writing partner would give me one or two lines from it and I could tell him what episode he was on.)

Marie: What can we expect next from you? Are you working on any other projects right now?

Patricia: Oh jeez, I have like a billion stories clamoring for attention. My next planned release is a short story called Influence of Love. It's only 12 pages and its about the little angels and devils that sit on our shoulders and whisper in our ears. My next novel I plan to publish is called Out of Secrets. It's a vampire story, but the vampires are nothing like the vampires in Being Human. I rarely make my vampires similar, I'm always finding new ways to twist the myth into something I hope is fresh and different. There is a planned sequel to Being Human called Being Vampire. Tommy isn't the main character but he will show up and readers will learn what he's been up to since the end of Being Human.

Thanks for having me, Marie, and for reading and reviewing Being Human.

Thanks for being here Patricia! It's been a pleasure getting to know you, and Being Human was a great, unique twist on vampires. 

Be sure to check out my review of Being Human, and enter for a chance to win a signed copy of the book from Patricia!

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