Monday, March 7, 2011

Patti Lacy Interview & Book Giveaway

I love Patti Lacy! So I was thrilled when she agreed to stop by for a visit. Her newest book, Rhythm of Secrets is now out! Patti has offered a giveaway copy too, so check out those details following the interview.  



Karen: Thanks so much for joining us at Write Now! Congratulations on your upcoming books, Rhythm of Secrets and Reclaiming Lily. What inspired you to write Rhythm?

 
Patti: I read a Chicago Tribune article about a woman who found her birth child. “Go slowly,” she had told the cabbie driving her from the hospital back to the home, where her child would be given to adoptive parents. “I have one cab ride to give this baby a lifetime of love.”

 
Oh, that story ripped my heart in two, haunted me, day and night. So I plopped it into a Word file and began to plot, plot, plot.

 
 
Karen: Can you give us a sneak peek into the story?

 
Patti: OF COURSE! You know how I like to expose secrets!

 
Sheila Alexander has lived three separate lives. Now a conservative pastor’s wife, she is skilled at hiding secrets birthed in a New Orleans brothel. When the son she gave up years ago comes knocking, memories revive her heart but threaten her security.

Torn between preserving her marriage and again losing her son, Sheila faces a difficult decision. Will she give in to the legalistic demands of her husband and his congregation? Or will she help her son…and find a lost girl named Sheba?

Karen: Are you a plotter or pantster?

 
Patti: BOTH! I love the freedom of adding twists but just cannot clarify goal/motivation to the degree I need without some plotting. Plus, my agent Natasha wields a big stick and demands a DETAILED proposal!

 
Karen: I enjoyed your blog posts about your trip to China and the research for Reclaiming Lily. What specific things were you looking to experience and research to help you with the book?

 
The flavor and sounds and smells of an extraordinary country. Getting up close and personal with the gorgeous Chinese people. Capturing the dimensions and magnitude of the country. Sigh. I didn’t get to visit an orphanage, though. But there’s tons of books…and testimonies…available.

 
Karen: Love the title, Reclaiming Lily. What inspired you to choose this name? Is the book set in the present?

Patti: Oh, Thanks! Of course Bethany House will mull over my choice. So it’s not for sure.

 
The birth sister of a Chinese teenage has a terrible reason to “reclaim” the adoptive daughter of an American pastor and his wife. Reclaiming Lily examines the concept of sacrifice and grapples with the problem of who really owns another human being. Get ready for a tearjerker!!

 
Karen: What was the biggest surprise you encountered while in China?

 
Patti: How much the people liked Americans, though they DID NOT like our chocolate!!! Even gourmet bars! And to think I toted them thousands of miles for that!!!

 
Karen: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

 
Patti: No! I had no idea God would plop me into this quirky profession. I started in 2005.

 
Karen: Here are some quick and random questions just for fun -

Favorite color? Blue

 
Favorite meal? Oh, no. I like nearly ALL food except organ meats. Hmmm. Seafood pasta with steamed garden-fresh vegetables, sour dough bread, and olive oil/balsamic vinegar polished off with chocolate cheesecake.

 
Favorite vacation spot? Another impossible question! Places I cherish: Maine, Washington state, Oregon, Switzerland, Ireland, CHINA!!!!

 
Favorite season? FALL!

 
Karen: What was your most memorable writing conference moment?

 
Patti: Hearing Lynn Austin speak at Right to Publish in 2005.

 
Karen: What advice do you have for someone who would like to write a novel?

 
Patti: Write for the Audience of One with all your heart, soul, and mind and try to forget everything else.

Karen: What are your favorite writing resources?

Patti: Oh, an EASY ONE!!! Bird by Bird by Lamott, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne & King, and The Moral Premise by Williams.

LOVED being here today. Thanks!

Karen: Thank you, Patti!

 
Stop by and see Patti at her blog. While you're there, check out her website too. She has loads of good stuff there, including info on her other books. She'd love to see you!


Giveaway Details

To enter to win a copy of Patti's latest, Rhythm of Secrets, note these important details:
  • Leave a comment with your email address. Entries without email address are not eligible.
  • Receive an extra entry by becoming a follower, or by reminding me that you already follow.
  • Receive a bonus entry by posting about this giveaway on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please be sure and comment telling me so.
  • This is only open to US residents. 
  • Deadline to enter is midnight Eastern Standard Time, Friday March 11, 2011. Winner will be announced Saturday March 12 and notified via email, and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Have you read any new releases so far this year?

Happy reading and writing,
Karen  

67 comments :

  1. Great interview! They sound so tempting to read. Reclaiming Lily is already sending my heart in a spin! Have a beautiful week Karen.

    Big hug and kisses. xxx

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  2. Great interview! Congrats Patty! I'm a follower and I tweeted!

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  3. Well, y'all are up nice and early! Raymonde, what a lovely name! I'm glad to meet you and thrilled you connected with my fourth baby to be, now in Foster Care at Bethany House (awaiting that final edit:))

    Laura!!! Hey!!! I SO enjoy your blog when I can get out and about. Thank you for doing the Tweet thing! Haven't caught onto that one yet...

    Thank you, Karen, for hosting!!!!

    Blessings,
    Patti

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  4. Hi Karen and Patti! I always learn something new! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

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  5. Sounds intriguing..would love to win to read it!
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  6. follow via gfc (lgm52)
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  7. tweeted this giveaway:
    http://twitter.com/#!/lgm52/status/44753224162476032
    lgm52@htomail.com

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  8. Raymonde,
    Hello sweet friend! I agree; looking forward to reading both books, beginning with Rhythm of Secrets. Hugs to you as well! :)

    Laura,
    Thanks so much! Have a good day!

    Patti,
    You are very welcome. I am thrilled to host you! :)

    Cheryl,
    Nice to meet you! Thanks so much for coming by!

    lgm,
    Thank you so much! It is nice to meet you. I appreciate you spreading the word!

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  9. I just got her book and am reading it now:)) LOVE her voice!!

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  10. I absolutely loved and have digested the advice on writing a novel. That left a mark. Nice to meet you Patty and Karen... another fine job my friend. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  11. Terri, ooh, I'm nervous!! Hope you like it!

    Julies, you're a ruminant, huh, digesting?? LOVE IT!!!

    Speaking of writing, I'm off to teach memoir-writing at Luther Oaks Retirement Village today. I'm taking "Harlem," a Bond perfume, a stargazer lily, and a scoop of homemade granola and asking what scent has captured your senses for all these decades?
    Wanna join the fun? For me, it's the Joy Parfum my mom used to dab on her earlobes!!!

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  12. Signupspambox@aol.com (Patricia)is following you on Facebook AND sharing this with her friends!

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  13. Littiechief@aol.com is sharing this with friends and family! I follow on Facebook

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. Terri,
    Great timing! Let us know how good it is when you are finished reading! :)

    Jules,
    I know, I liked that part too! Good to have food for thought, isn't it? Thanks a bunch, KY friend!

    Patti,
    Oh this is a good one! I'll have to give it some thought as there are several scents that inspire and revisit memories.

    Patricia,
    Nice to meet you! Thanks so much for following!

    Tricia,
    Thank you! Good to meet you too! Appreciate you spreading the word!

    Thanks and blessings all,
    Karen

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  16. Wow! Two more writing blogs to follow, a contest to enter, and some more good reads to add to my TBR list. Mondays are excellent after all. Greetings from a Florida blogger, former Kentucky resident, and former homeschooler.

    walk2write@gmail.com

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  17. Patricia (Just Sayin') shared this with me!

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  18. Super interview! I love Patti! Wow that story of the cab ride gave me chills and broke my heart. I hope I win your fantastic new book!!!

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  19. Really enjoyed the interview and Patti's comments. I love her books, and looking forward to reading Rhythum of Secrets. Thank you for the entry. Have a blessed day.

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

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  20. Thank you Karen and Patti for a great interview and making us all curious!! I'll skip entering this gvieaway though because by the end of this month I'll be flying back to Holland and am limited as far as lugage is concerned.... bummer.

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  21. Love Patti, too!! I didn't realize she just started writing in 2005. How inspiring! My email is pink_ink AT q DOT com

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  22. I'm always up for a good read. Enjoyed the interview. sdlbishop2 AT att DOT net

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  23. Wow, what a fun cast o' characters you have, Karen!
    Tricia, thanks for comin' by!

    Walk2write, I could think of ten meanings for that blog name!!! When I catch up on my writing, I will stop by and say hi. Or maybe I'll stop by BEFORE THEN :)

    Tana, thank you for being so sweet! Good to reconnect!

    Sandee, a big hug and THANK YOU going your way!!!

    Marja, oh, c'mon, you can wedge in a BOOK! (This from the woman who carried SEVEN books in a suitcase to China!!!)

    Jewel, wavin' hard!!! Your blog has been one I've particularly missed these last few weeks! Keep writing, ya hear?????

    Sally, I like your raring-to-go spirit!!!

    Yep, came back from my memoir class TOTALLY charged up by my toiling seniors, who, though retired, wanna get each word right!!!

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  24. Wonderful interview, Karen and Patti. Patti, your books sound fascinating. What a delightful perspective. Thanks for sharing, ladies.

    cluculzwriter@yahoo.ca

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  25. Walk2write,
    Nice to meet you! What part of KY do you hail from? Glad you stopped by. :)

    Jennifer,
    Thank you! Me too!

    Tana,
    Thanks so much! I know, what a story!

    Sandee,
    Nice to meet you! Glad you enjoyed it.

    Marja,
    You are welcome! Have a wonderful trip to Holland!

    Jewel,
    That was surprising to me too! Thanks for stopping by!

    Sally,
    I'm with you on the good reads! Good to see you. :)

    Joylene,
    Thanks, friend! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  26. The book sounds very intriguing and a definite read. I have made sure to add it to my wish list. I have always waned to go to Switzerland.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  27. Be sure your sins will find you out. We can't hide our secrets from God. This sounds like a good book. Please add me in.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com


    I'm already a subscriber.

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  28. I'm a follower. :) Please put my name into the hat. Thanks! Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  29. Jo, hey! Thanks for adding Secrets to your wish list!!! Now if we can get someone to check that list twice!

    Carmen, glad the Secrets intrigue!!!! Thanks for stopping by!

    Ann, hey! Here's that sweet writer who came to see me out in Arizona!!! How are you doing? Thanks for stopping by!

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  30. For some reason, I love books about secrets...it keeps me on the edge of my seat! This books sounds like a very much must read!! I am excited to hear about yet another Christian Fiction I can read. I love finding new reads! Thanks for offering this for one of us to win!
    Oh...and I am a follower, a subscriber, and I'm going to put a link on my facebook for other booklovers to enter.
    Blessings......Joy Hannabass
    ibjoy1953[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  31. Joy, I am THRILLED that you like SECRETS as Spanning Seas and Secrets is my tagline!!! Maybe you will get eyebrow-deep in 'em!:)

    Patti

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  32. Jo,
    That's what I'm thinking, a definite read! Both of them, actually! :)

    Carmen,
    Yes, this is true. What better way to illustrate than a great story, written by Patti of course!

    Ann,
    I will do it, thanks so much!

    Joy,
    Yes, a book that keeps you on the edge, but one where you can savor every bit of it...my kind of book!

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  33. Great interview .. thank you ladies
    Not entering ... I live in Aus xx

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  34. Great interview. Congrats to Patti.

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  35. Michelle, stopped by your place. Very cool!!!
    Rachna, HELLO!!! I have missed my hopping to your great blog. Hope you are doing well.

    Blessings, Patti

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  36. Great interview, Karen! Patti, your book sounds fabulous! Please enter me in your drawing - morgan(dot)maria(dot)i(at)gmail(dot)com. And I'm also a follower! Have a blessed day!

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  37. I'm a follower and meeting Lynn Austin at a writer's conference was an awesome experience for me too. Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  38. Maria, THANKS!!! It's so fun to meet new bloggites here! And y'all be sure and head over to www.pattilacy.com/blog. I post once a week on Monday, Monday!

    Pegg, Woo HOO!! Was it Write to Publish in Wheaton?????

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  39. Excellent interview, ladies. I, too, love Patti. She is real from her heart to her pen.

    I'm giving away a cotpy of Rhythm on my blog this week, too! http://jeanettelevellie.blogspot.com.

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  40. Michelle,
    Nice to meet you! Thanks for following too. Enjoyed my stop at your blog. :)

    Rachna,
    Thanks for hopping over! Always good to see you.

    Maria,
    Got you down, thanks! You have a blessed day too!

    Pegg,
    Nice to meet you! Appreciate you stopping by and following!

    Patti,
    Thanks for checking in with the gang!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  41. Hi Patti! (*waves*)
    Great interview, and nice getting to know you better!

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  42. Put my name in the pot, please, for the giveaway.

    Twice--I've been following your blog for months.

    Blessings,
    Jean Hall
    jajmh@carolina.rr.com

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  43. Lydia, I SO miss your blog!!!

    Jean, waving hi! Isn't this a great place???

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  44. Patty, I've added your books, and your name to my list of Author's and books to buy! I just gotta keep up with all of your 'secrets' in your books!
    Keep writing them!
    Blessings....Joy

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  45. Hi Karen & Patti -

    Great interview! I read Rhythm of Secrets, and loved it. I can't wait for Reclaiming Lily to hit the bookstores. It's already on my Wish List. :)

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  46. Joy, well, you will run into a fictional Joy in "Reclaiming Lily." Hope you enjoy her; she's a wild one!

    Susan, hey! Love your BWI! (blogging while influencing!!) You're the best!!!

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  47. Hi Karen - This sounds like a terrific read.

    I'm a follower (you know by now you can't get rid of me). :) email is: lisaricardclaro(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    I'll blog about this on my Thursday evening post. :)

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  48. Lisa, it's so nice to meet you! What a great following Karen has!!!

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  49. Lydia,
    Thank you! It was a pleasure to work with Patti. Always will be, I suspect! :)

    Jean,
    Appreciate your faithfulness! Got you down on the list!

    Susan,
    Didn't realize you'd read Rhythm! Yay!

    Lisa,
    And who would want to get rid of you? Certainly not me! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  50. Hi Karen and Patti .. wonderful introduction to a new (for me!) author .. and the book sounds fascinating .. and spending time in China must have been so exciting and interesting - offering many thought opportunities .. sounds a very good read .. all the very best - cheers Hilary

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  51. Hilary, THANKS! You made a dreary afternoon in Normal all sunshiny!!! China unfolded like an exotic silken tapestry!
    I fell in love with the people and the land.
    If only an IOTA of what is in my heart gets out on that paper.

    P

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  52. Hilary,
    Glad to introduce you! Two of my favorite blogging friends. :) I agree, it does sound like a great read.

    Patti,
    If you get a moment, I think you might like Hilary's blog. It's always packed with interesting gems!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  53. Cool story and interview. I love the plot. It would break my heart to be in the same situation. But, I did learn to not bring chocolate to China.

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  54. Hi Karen and Patti .. thank you so much for suggesting Patti visits .. always a wonderful gift that of 'recommendation' and she did too.

    Patti - thanks for the visit and comment .. 'unfolding like a silken tapestry' creates a lovely vision ..

    Have great days .. cheers Hilary

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  55. Clarissa, I don't want you to get the wrong idea! I gobbled up most all of it myself. But as gifts for those in host country, it left a bad taste in their mouths:)

    Hilary, added blessings.
    Patti

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  56. Clarissa,
    I know, I can't even imagine what it would be like. And yes, I've noted too, not to take chocolate to China! :)

    Hilary,
    How could I not? Your blog is full of wonderful goodies! :)

    Patii,
    As for eating the chocolate - you were only doing the brave thing, so that you'd not have to haul it back home. Which of course, left more room for items you bought in China!

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  57. Looking forward to your blogoversary celebration Karen. Put my name in the hat. Would love to read Patty's book. everythinghomewithcarol at yahoo dot com.

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  58. Carol,
    Me too! Hope you are able to join me throughout. Got your name down, thanks!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  59. Thanks for coming by, Carol! Wow, this is one active place!

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  60. Congratulations on you blogovesary Karen....

    Patty's book sounds like a great read!

    Put me in.....

    I've been a follower for a while now.

    mculi (at) aol (dot) com

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  61. Michael, nice to meet you! Lots of followers here!!!

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  62. Michael,
    Got you down! Glad you stopped by, thanks!

    Patti,
    I can always count on my blog gang for support. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  63. Karen and Patti:
    I enjoyed reading "What the Bayou Saw".
    please include my name in the drawing.

    I am a follower. cll4him(AT)sbcglobal(DOT)net

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  64. Oooh, thanks, Quiet Spirit. I hope "The Rhythm of Secrets" finds a place on your shelf and in your heart...

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  65. Wonderful interview! Too bad I didn't get here in time for the drawing. :) As an adoptive mom, I'm thinking I might need extra boxes of tissues for these books. ;)

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  66. Cecelia,
    Good to see you! Glad you enjoyed Patti's other book!

    Patti,
    Well girl, I think we have a comment record here. You are just going to have to come back soon! We all love you!

    Sandra,
    Thanks! Oh, I bet you'd like them! Hoping to have Patti back sometime, so maybe we can do a drawing again.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!