Today we have the opportunity to get to know another author. Welcome, Patty Smith Hall. Is there something about you most people wouldn’t know?
Though I didn’t think so at the time, I was very talented as a young woman. I danced in the Cobb-Marietta Ballet Company (the Georgia Ballet now) and was asked to audition for the Atlanta Ballet. I could also sing—my former boyfriend secretly taped me singing and sent it to Kenny Rogers for a backup singing position. They called and asked me to audition for them. Problem was I had a horrible case of stage fright, so I turned them down.
Wow! How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?
As writers, we like to write what we know. As a Christian, I hope my faith works into my stories organically, that it’s just a part of who my characters are and what they believe. I want to write books where Christian characters face difficult problems, whether externally or internally and come out the other side with their faith strengthened.
I feel the same way. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My life verse is Romans 8:28–’For we know that all things work together, for those who love the Lord according to His purpose. I didn’t pick it as much as stole it from my high school best friend, Donna. But it’s held so true in my life—through the good times and especially the bad ones, God has worked a walking miracle in me, and I’m grateful.
That’s a good one. Tell your readers about a typical day in your life.
Wow, that’s a loaded question! Usually, I start my day around seven each morning. I check my email, read the newspaper then spend some time in my devotions. Two days a week, I go to school, so I pack up whatever I’m writing to work on between classes and head for class. On Thursdays, I spend the day with my parents—my mom suffers from vascular dementia, so I take her out to lunch and shopping to give my dad a much-needed break. Three days a week are totally devoted to my writing. And Sundays is for church, resting and getting ready for it to start all over again!
I’m sure that makes for a busy week. How much time do you spend researching before you write?
I LOVE research, probably because I’m a life-long learner. That said, I’ve done some crazy things all in the name of research. Like the time I had a WWII bomber pilot teach me how to take-off and land a P-52 Mustang for my first book with a female pilot as the heroine. I’ve also panned for gold and crawled around in the basement of a Civil War field hospital. Now, I’m in the Outer Banks of North Carolina researching a book that will come out at the end of this year.
I love the way you throw yourself into your research. 🙂 What advice would you give to new authors?
Keep writing. So many people give up rather than face criticism or rejection, never understanding that it’s part of the business. Keep writing, and never give up. You’ll get to where you want to be.
Great advice. Where did you get the inspiration for your latest book?
I have this habit of finding historical events that have been lost in history. One such event was the Georgia goldrush of 1830. It was the first true goldrush in American history and produced the highest quality gold in the world. It was also the catalyst that led to the Trail of Tears. When the opportunity came up to write a goldrush book, I jumped at the chance.
I never knew that about Georgia. Where can readers connect with you?
You can find me at www.pattysmithhall.com and I also have a newsletter to keep folks up to date on what’s happening with my writing as well as my two handsome grandsons! You can also find me on Facebook and Pinterest.
Here’s some more information about Patty and her new book.
Author Bio/Website: Bio: Multi-published author Patty Smith Hall lives near the North Georgia Mountains with her husband, Danny, her two daughters, her son-in-law and her grandboys. An acquisition editor for Winged Publications, she enjoys helping new writers get published. When she’s not writing on her back porch, she’s spending time with her family or playing with her grandsons.
Website: www.pattysmithhall.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorpattysmithhall
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpattysmithhall/boards/
Gold Dust Bride Blurb–
Abigail Matthews’ ambition is to run her family’s iron mines alongside her father. With the company in trouble, Abby runs to the north Georgia mountains where iron and gold are rumored to be found. She’s is certain the mountains hold the iron ore their mining company needs to survive but the task is made more difficult by the influx of miners and the interference of Micah Anderson, the town’s blacksmith and acting sheriff who hinders her progress. . .and steals her heart.
Micah Anderson doesn’t understand the mad rush of people searching for gold. He sees them as gamblers no better than the father who lost him in a card game. That someone as lovely as Abigail would take such a risk bothers him but doesn’t diminish his attraction to her. Working alongside her to provide food for the community Micah discovers the hidden depths of Abigail’s character. But when Abigail is put into danger after witnessing a crime against a Cherokee Indian, will Micah be willing to gamble his heart on the woman he’s come to love?
