 AUTHOR
PROFILE: Patricia Azeltine
Author's Name: Patricia Azeltine
Website: www.PatriciaAzeltine.com
Patricia Azeltine is a mult-published author who writes contemporary
and historical romance for Avalon Books.
New Releases:
Traces of Love
Avalon Books, July 2006
Melissa Douglas is on the run. Accused by local businessman Devlin
McCoy of murdering her beloved uncle, she flees for her life to
Portland, where she meets Jacob Gilbert, a renowned tracker. Even
though she is smitten with him, Melissa must pour her energy into
making money so that she can return east to the safety of her
family. But when McCoy hires Jake to track Melissa and bring her
to justice, the two become opponents in a dangerous game, and
Melissa must do everything she can to foil Jake’s attempts
to capture her.
On Getting Started In Writing
I got started in writing fifteen years ago. My husband and I
moved from Seattle to Olympia. I had given up running my own computer
consulting business to stay at home on five acres with a new born
baby and three-year-old toddler. I thought I would go crazy! I
had story ideas in my head, since I was a small child, but never
wrote them down. So I gave it a shot. Not only was it good therapy
for me, but I got addicted to writing. Now I can't imagine NOT
writing. I found a lot of similarities between writing programs
and writing books. Both were like putting a jigsaw puzzle together
to create a full picture. And I started writing romance, because
at the time, that's what I read. A friend of mine got me started
reading Kathleen Woodiwiss books and Harlequin contemporaries.
As I became older and my reading expanded into mystery, suspense,
and action adventure, I tried my hand at writing murder mysteries.
I also write young adult fantasy, which my daughter's got me hooked
on.
On Her Writing Process
When I wrote my first book I was such an idiot. I thought you
just had to sit down and write it from start to finish, no preparation,
no research, no plotting, no characterization, etc. I've learned
a lot in fifteen years! Preparation is everything. I usually start
with characterization, writing biographies on each character that
will be in my book. Then I outline my story. Sometimes when I get
stuck on a part of the story I will brainstorm with my daughters
or another writer. My story ideas come from subjects I'm interested
in. For instance, in Traces of Love, I am interested in tracking
and have read many books on the subject, so I knew I wanted the
hero to be a tracker. Then I asked myself, "What if he had
to track someone he loved? And why would he have to track someone
he loved?" I could have had the heroine lost in the mountains,
but that wouldn't have given me much of a story, especially in a
romance where the hero and heroine need to be together. From there
I keep asking, "What if?" And definitely the hardest part
of writing for me is finding the time to write!!!! Hands down, that's
the hardest part for me, because my husband and I run our own Land
Surveying Business. So often I will take my laptop and write while
we are driving to and from the job sites.
On Writing Schedules
I write every chance I get. Like I said, I'll write while driving
to and from job sites, on lunch breaks (when we get one), and
in the evenings. When my kids were younger I would write at their
ball games or soccer practices, anywhere and everywhere. I take
my laptop or notepad with me wherever I go, so I can write. My
goal in life is to be able to write full time. That would be a
dream come true for me.
On Writer's Block
I have experienced writer's block many times. The best advice
I could give anyone on this is to talk out your story with someone.
That someone doesn't have to be another writer, although that helps.
Talk it out with anyone who will listen. It's amazing how things
will click or you'll catch errors by just talking your story out.
Or the other person might say something that triggers ideas.
On Conferences and Contests
I used to go to conferences all the time. But I found that the
information given out at these conferences was the same information
I had heard at the last conference. So I have stopped going to conferences
for years now. I think that conferences are great for networking,
but it does not guarantee you that you'll get a book published.
The bottom line is working hard at your craft and having luck and
good timing will get your book published.
As for contests, I still enter contests. I think sometimes they
can be very helpful. But they are subjective, so anyone entering
a contest must keep that in mind. Recently I entered a contest to
see if the Inspirational Romance I wrote was on the right track,
since I have never published in Inspirational Romance. The judges
results were as opposite as one could get. One loved it. One hated
it. One thought it had just the right amount of Christian input,
and the other thought it didn't have enough. So, that contest really
didn't help me much. But I got other good feedback, like all four
judges thought my dialogue was very good, but thought my synopsis
needed work. When there is a consensus like that, then I think I
need to listen. Right?
On Getting "The Call"
Actually I didn't get the call. My husband did. He was really
excited! I was surprised and relieved. I had worked so hard and
for so many years (ten years). So when Erin Cartwright called me
from Avalon Books I was thrilled. Now I am hoping to get the call
from large publishing houses.
On Being a Published Writer
I think the best thing about being a published author for me
was getting that monkey off my back, knowing that all that hard
work paid off, and that I was on the right track with writing
romances. Writing a book is hard. Putting it all together is one
long, difficult process. For those of you still working hard at
it, don't give up, especially if it's your passion. And remember,
too, that you are a writer whether you ever get published or not.
If you think about writing, dream about writing, and write all
the time, then you are a writer! And the biggest challenge I face
as a published writer is the expectations I put on myself. I want
my next book to be better than the last, and I want to continue
to improve as a writer.
On Promotion
I'm learning this one myself. Traces of Love is the first book
I have ever self-promoted. But I have had many seasoned writers
tell me that book signings are a waste of time, because they do
nothing to increase your sales. I think getting published by larger
publishing houses would help to get your name out there and create
bigger sales, and of course, writing a good book always helps.
Best/Worst Advice Received
The best advice I have ever received came from Frank Lambirth,
my mentor and friend. He taught me to not just read other writer's
books (and not just the best selling ones, because they aren't always
the best written ones), but to study them. Study their characterization,
conflict, plot, description, dialogue, expository, etc. He taught
me to never read for pleasure, but read to improve. Thank you, Frank!
The worst advice I've ever received was to get into a critique group.
It's okay if you're in a group who can help you, experienced writers
who want to help you. But finding that group is very, very hard
indeed.
On Publishers
Avalon has published four of my books, three contemporary romances
and one historical romance. They have been very easy to work with.
I'm proud to be published by Avalon Books, because they only sell
wholesome, clean (sweet) romances. I am thankful for having started
out with Avalon, because they have never pressured me for deadlines
or changes. Erin Cartwright-Niumata and her associate editor Susan
McCarty have been great to work with. They are such nice people.
And Erin is a very smart lady and knows the publishing industry.
I wish my brain worked as fast as hers does.
On Agents
So far I haven't had an agent. I've negotiated all four books on
my own. I'm actively looking for an agent now, because I hope to
expand to larger publishing houses and want to get published in
different genres.
What's Next?
I am working on about half a dozen manuscripts right now. Two
mysteries, a historical romance, a couple of inspirational historical
romances, and young adult fantasy. I will write until I have finished
my life on earth, whether I ever get another book published or not.
I love writing. I think I would die inside if I didn't write. I
hope someday I can make a living at writing, but if I don't, then
I will be happy sharing my stories with others willing to read them.
I feel blessed that God gave me this passion for writing.
Advice for New Writers
Through my daughters I have run into many young people who write
and want to be a writer for a career. My best advice is to be professional
at it. Work hard. Learn the craft, which will take a lifetime to
do, and never give up. But also, have other things in your life
that are equally as important to you as writing, because there will
be many rejections along the way. Learn from the rejections and
improve yourself as a writer. Turn your rejections into determination
to get it right and better the next time.
Last Words
The last thing I would like to say is for writers to stay in contact
with other writers. Only another writer knows how tough it is in
this arena. Follow your gut instincts. And learn to appreciate,
not envy, talented writers. I don't know any writer who hasn't had
to pay their dues. It's a right of passage. I wish everyone out
there the best of luck. If you haven't published yet, believe me,
I know what you are going through! Remember, it took me ten years.
Visit Patricia online at www.PatriciaAzeltine.com
(Interviewed July, 2006)
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