Interview

Hi Patti and welcome. I am so glad you could join us here at
RomanceJunkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about
your current projects?

 

My current projects are quite varied actually. I am working on a short story, a novella and also two different category length romance novels. As you can see, I am keeping myself quite busy!

What is the best thing about being a writer?   What is the least best thing?

 

The best thing about being a writer is the ability to share what you've written with everyone. I love creating a story that leaves readers with a feeling of contentment and satisfaction. And if it gets them talking to their friends about it, then it's even better.

 

The least best thing?   I think solitude is hard. You are working in a very isolated environment as a writer. You have your critique groups to bounce ideas off of on a regular basis, but not daily.

Is there any one thing about the writing profession you wish you could change?

 

I would love to make enough money to make this my day job! Though at the moment I am unemployed so every little bit helps (G)

What was the least helpful piece of writing-related advice you've
received?

 

I don't know that I've ever received any advice that wasn't helpful. Of course not everything everyone tells you will work for each person individually. You have to take all advice with a grain of salt and see if it does work for you. If not, move on.

If you could retrace the path of your writing career, is there anything you would do differently?

 

Definitely. There was a time in my life when I had the opportunity to be home for two years and I kept telling myself I would write every day. Well, life got in the way, even the toilet being cleaned looked better than facing a blank page. Now I wish I could go back and do it all again. But I am happy with where I'm at. At least for the time being. (G)

What is the best way an author can promote herself?

 

Join email loops, writing groups, design a webpage, create a newsletter, talk yourself up everywhere you go. Word of mouth is the best advertising you've got. Offer a copy of your book to the local library, give a workshop for your RWA group or at your library. The important thing is to get your name out there so people will remember you.

When a food craving strikes, are you more likely to turn to something sweet or something salty? How often do you give in?

 

Salty. My food cravings are weird. I love Ritz crackers and can put away a sleeve of them in the blink of an eye. Ok, not that fast but don't get in my way if I'm reaching for them. Don't know why. It's just something I love. And I give in all the time, unless we don't have any in the house. Then it means a run to the grocery store. Gotta have em!!!

When you go on vacation, do you prefer quiet, isolated surroundings, or do you like to be in the thick of the local hustle and bustle and
nightlife?

 

I've done vacations both ways. Nightlife doesn't do it for me, so that's out. I love sitting on a beach in a chair just watching the waves go in and out. There's something very peaceful and soothing about the sounds of nature. Which is what my web page looks like. It's all water themed. But I did an Alaskan cruise this past summer and we were busy everyday, seeing glaciers, seals, bears, eating, eating, and more eating. I think it all depends on the mood I am in at the time.

You've been asked to be a game show contestant, and you get to pick which game show to participate in. Which one will you choose, and why?

 

Wow, this is a toughie. I think my first choice would be Jeopardy. I watch it as often as I can, and when my kids lived at home we would challenge each other every night with it. I love the questions and find I have some useless trivia always stuck in my brain that allows me to answer about half the questions right. (G) If not Jeopardy, then Wheel of Fortune. Always wanted to meet Vanna White!

How did you and your husband meet? What was it about him that made you know he was "the one"?

 

My husband was actually employed by my grandfather at a local shoe store here in town. We meet through him. Our first date was just as friends. We went to a kung-fu movie at the drive in and I fell asleep. I was bored, what can I tell you. Then our second date was for the movie Friday the 13th, I hid in the bathroom at the theater (I hate scary movies, but didn't tell him that).    He literally left me there and watched the whole movie! He was and is to this day the kindest, most caring man I have ever met and I think that's what did it for me in falling in love with him. This year we celebrated our 25th anniversary with a trip to Alaska in June!

What is this romance writer's idea of the "ideal romantic evening"?

 

My ideal romantic evening would be dinner at a nice seafood restaurant and then coming home to watch a movie together with the fireplace going in the background.

How do you describe Patti Shenberger? How does Patti Shenberger's
family and friends describe her?

 

Hmm, well, Patti is a very anal person. She likes to make sure everything is in its place. I'm also a fun loving person who worries about her family and friends. I would like to think my friends would describe me the same way. One friend once said if she had to be marooned on a desert island, she would want me along. That's a high compliment. (I think (G))

MORE FUN...

The holiday season is here! Ready or not! What is your favorite part
of this hectic, joyous time of year?

I love Christmas morning. My kids are now grown and out of the house. One lives about 20 minutes away, the other is at Army boot camp. Both will be here on Xmas morning to open presents. I love that feeling of excitement they still get even though they are 22 and 24.

Surprise guests drop over just in time for dinner! Are you going to
whip them up something or take them out to dinner?   Can you believe it? Not only do they drop over at the dinner hour,
those surprise guests have the nerve to peek in your refrigerator! Are they going to find anything furry hiding in the vegetable bin? A
covered bowl tucked in the back that is now a pseudo-petrie dish?

 

I think we'll order in some takeout. I usually have snacks in the house at all times, because of kids so maybe some Chinese takeout will do the trick.

Nope, nothing furry at the moment, but there have been times. And of course there was the time that one of the relatives while helping me clean up after a holiday meal put a Tupperware container with leftover cheese cubes away in a cupboard instead of in the fridge. Found that bad boy about a month later. Threw the whole thing out.

And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this
question: what is your favorite comfort food?

 

My favorite comfort food has to be macaroni and cheese, and meatloaf. Of course gotta have my Pepsi along side, that's my drink of choice!

 

Yeah… gotta love that Mac N Cheese!    Thank you, Patti, for spending time with us, and best of luck with your writing!

 

By Brooke Wills

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor

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