Bestselling indie author Patrice Fitzgerald visits the attic

So I know who you are, and you know who you are, but my stuffed sloth here doesn’t know who you are. Please introduce yourself.

I’m Patrice Fitzgerald, I’m a writer, a singer, an attorney, a mom, a stepmom, and a wife!  Not necessarily in that order.  I grew up in Maryland but my larger family is from the Boston area.  Right now I live in Connecticut, which has been home since 1985.  You can read more about me on my blog, www.PatriceFitzgerald.com, and contact me directly at eFitzgeraldPublishing@gmail.com

 

Obviously you’re a writer, what is the name of your book and the general plot?

I have a number of books out, but the latest are all parts of my Karma series, set in Hugh Howey’s world of WOOL.  The first in the series is “The Sky Used to be Blue.”  I’m working on the fifth and final part now.  Since starting this series (of e-book novellas) in April of 2013, I have sold more than 10,000 copies!

You can take a look at the first Karma book here: http://www.amazon.com/Till-Death-Do-Part-ebook/dp/B009VRI36Q

Where did you come up with the idea?

When I was reading Hugh’s First Shift, I was curious about what happened to this character and wanted to follow her trail.  I didn’t realize that “fan fiction” didn’t have to involve a character created by the original author… because I had never read any until I started writing it.

Which of your characters do you like the most and why?

I probably like Karma best, because I’ve gotten to follow her through lots of different phases in her life… from her romantic beginnings with her husband to her rude awakening in the Silo, and the difficult existence for the denizens of the deep.

Which one do you hate the most and why?

I probably hate the character who is the head of IT security the most, because he is cunning and cruel.  At first, of course, you won’t know that.

You’re stranded on an island and you are granted three things;

The first thing you’re granted is an IPod with only one song loaded, what is it?

Tough one!  One song forever?  Maybe “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, or IZ Kamakawiwo’ole’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The second item is a book with the last chapter missing, what is it and who wrote it?

“Pride and Prejudice,” by Jane Austen.  I love that book and have read it many times.  I think I know it well enough that I can fill in the last chapter with my own memory!

And the third thing you’re granted on this island is a lunchbox with a sandwich and a full thermos, yummy, what kind of sandwich and drink would you appreciate?

Fascinating questions!  I’ll have a hot buttered lobstah roll and… hmm… they don’t go together, but how about a nice banana strawberry smoothie?

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your life? Not writing or publishing mistake – any mistake.

Even if it happened in 3rd grade, I wanna know about it.

Maybe not knowing I had choices the first time I got married.  But I can’t really call it a mistake, since I ended up with two wonderful children.

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

Not much.  Not a big fan of ice cream.  Though I do like Talenti Sea Salt Caramel gelato…

Yummy!

You’re still stranded on that island and two people show up, the character you love the most, and the one you hate the most, and they both know what you said about them. What do you do?

I invite Karma to share my sandwich as we read “Pride and Prejudice” to each other.  She’ll love it!  When the Security guy comes along we look for a good strong palm tree and shimmy up it.

Flash round favorites:

 

Color

Gold

Sound

The human voice

Season

Autumn

Animal

Tiger

Smell

A campfire on a cool night

Food

Hazelnut-flavored desserts

Place to visit

Tahiti

Place to live

My house on the water in Connecticut

Movie

Casablanca

Alien

Um… none?

None? Really? Not Alf? Not Yoda? Not Joseph Gordon Levitt from 3^rd Rock from the Sun?

Number

Seven (I know, it’s everybody’s favorite)

Writing spot

Starbucks

Texture

Nubbly weave

I have no idea what that is.

Planet

Terra

And last of all, favorite memory-

Going on a cruise to Hawaii with my now-husband, leaving the huge touristy luau we were attending and going down to the beach, and having him sing “Some Enchanted Evening” to me.  We sing it as a duet now when we perform together.

Anything else you would like to add?

I’m having a grand time writing for a living (well, I can’t quite support myself on it yet, but I’m getting there) and I’m excited to be around for the self-publishing and digital book revolutions.  My books now include a political thriller about two women vying for the presidency, my Karma series set in Hugh Howey’s world of WOOL (a dystopian future where the only surviving humans live in a silo underground), and a number of short stories, some collected into anthologies.

It’s a wonderful time to be a writer.  You can write at any length, in any genre, as quickly or slowly as you prefer, and control the cover and all facets of the book.  For free!  Or nearly free.  So… ALL you have to do is write a really good book.  And then another.  Be patient and wait for preparation to encounter good luck.