Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Patty Lesser
When did you start writing?
As soon as I could hold a pencil, I started writing poems about dragons. In high school, I took courses in creative writing and learned how to write short stories.
What makes writing your passion?
I love to tell stories. I'm always telling people stories about my life.
How long have you been writing?
I have been writing my whole life but didn't complete my first novel until 2010.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Unfortunately, I signed with a vanity publisher and it didn't work out. I wasn't happy with the cover and the look of the book. I cancelled with them and self-published it on Amazon. It felt good to feel my book, but the marketing burned me out.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
One morning, I woke up with a dream in my head and I sat down at the computer and wrote the book working 12 hours a day for 4 months. I spent much time thinking of the names of my characters. I wanted each to come from a different part of Canada and their personalities easily came out.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Marketing annoys me the most. It always burns me out.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
The easiest way for me to get over writer's block was to begin a new book. Most of my writing career, I wrote 2 novels at a time. When I had writer's block with one, I'd work on the other one.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Everyone has a book in them and they should write it, but don't expect to be rich and famous after 1 book. Write because you want to tell your story and because you love writing. Don't do it for the money because there won't be any.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
To my younger self, I would say, "Write your stories because you love to tell stories. Don't expect to become rich and famous."
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I read some of my reviews, but I don't worry about the bad ones. Not everyone is going to like my writing, but sometimes they are right with their comments, which I learn from.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Good reviews always make me smile and happy that I wrote that book.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
I left Canada at 19 and backpacked around the world for 25 years. Lots of experiences and places from my real life make it into my books.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
All my characters are me if I were that person. They are my children, and I incorporate my personality into each and every character.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
The book cover must tell the story in a picture. Readers look at the cover and then decide whether they want to read it.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love discussing my books with people, but I haven't been able to connect with many, which I regret.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Authors are never recognized in public unless you're Stephen King or Margaret Atwood. When someone appreciates my novel and writes a good review, that makes me happy.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
My favourite author is Thomas Hardy because he can write great characters. My novel Sail to my Heart was inspired by his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge, my favourite novel.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
The dream is to have people read my stories. I have reconciled with the fact that I'll never be rich and famous through my books.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
I re-wrote a few of my early books after finding an excellent editor. I wouldn't re-write any of them now.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I would like to trade places with Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) because I loved his life adventures and being able to give speeches enticing people to read his books.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I don't pay any attention to trolls.
What would you say to your readers?
Enjoy my books. They were written for you.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, about 2 hours south west of Toronto.
What is your day job if you have one?
My day job for the last 20 years has been writing books.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love to volunteer, and I have volunteered somewhere since I was a kid. Now I volunteer at our city's hospital. I have a dog and 2 cats with whom I spend much time.
Did you have a happy childhood?
No, I didn't have a happy childhood because I became Bipolar when I was 6 years old, and therefore, life was a great struggle especially since I wasn't diagnosed until I was 27 years old.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I didn't start reading until I was in grade 5. Somehow, I was able to evade having to read in my early school years. My grade 5 teacher was Mrs. Markham and she insisted I learn to read. Once I read my first book, a new world opened up to me and I wanted to do that.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have started many books. One of my favourites is about a sailing yacht who becomes the main character and the story tells of her owners and their adventures.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
From what I hear, children can't write. Their spelling and grammar is poor because all they do is text.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1. World peace
2. A crock of gold so I can help out my friends
3. To sell books
What is your favorite music?
I'm more of a movie fan and a movie is constantly playing on my TV. I do listen to the radio when I'm in the car but I have an old car so I don't know the name of the song or who's singing.
Share a secret with us 🙂
I don't have any secrets that I can reveal here. I tell my friends everything.