Ask the Author: Phaedra Patrick
Answered Questions (24)
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Caroline. Thanks so much for your lovely words. I’m so pleased you enjoyed Messy Lives and hope you like reading my others too. My next novel is out next year. It’s called The Little Italian Hotel and I think there’s already a brief synopsis on Goodreads and Amazon. Best wishes, Phaedra
Phaedra Patrick
Hello, yes I’d be happy to do a Zoom call, depending on the time and date (I’m in the UK). Thanks for choosing my book to read!
Phaedra Patrick
Hi there. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the book! Thanks for letting me know. It’s my fault on my website - sorry. I set up a tab and then my publisher mentioned they’ve got a new template for newsletters, so I’m waiting on that so I can produce one. I’ve removed the tab on my website and I’ve made a note of your email. As soon as I have one up and running (hopefully soon) I’ll make sure your email address is on my list. Best wishes, Phaedra
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Carol. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the book, and hope you like the others too. It's so tricky, isn't it? Because all families are different. I think that it used to be more common, looking after relatives in this way, probably because families might have lived closer together. These days, children are more likely to go to university or move away from the family home, there's more foreign travel too, so people can spread their wings. I think it's okay if both sides are happy to be a situation, but it shouldn't be a duty or else it leads to resentment. I'm pleased that it didn't happen to you, and that Martha Storm found her own way to move on.
Phaedra Patrick
Hi. For a range of reasons. So the story came full circle - Arthur’s first discovery was the elephant charm and so he went to visit a place of importance to his wife, Miriam. He wanted to return the charm to Mr Mehra rather than sell it, and to listen to more stories about his wife from someone who was part of her life. It was part of Arthur's own renewal, to want to travel and broaden his horizons. He still plans to visit his son, Dan, in Australia too, when it suits Dan’s timescales. Finally, as soon as I started to write the book I had the end scene in my mind, an image of Arthur in the sea in India, moving on with his life.
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Simon. Thanks for your question. I'm afraid I can't disclose who has optioned the rights because of confidentiality agreements. All I can say is that they've been picked up by a major Hollywood film studio. If a film ever moved into production, the studio would announce and then I could follow. Best wishes, Phaedra
Phaedra Patrick
Hello Ladonna
Thanks so much to you and your book club for reading about Arthur and his friends. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed his story! Readers in the US have been so welcoming to me, and to Arthur too. Hopefully, you'll enjoy my second book, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone too. Best wishes from the UK, Phaedra x
Thanks so much to you and your book club for reading about Arthur and his friends. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed his story! Readers in the US have been so welcoming to me, and to Arthur too. Hopefully, you'll enjoy my second book, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone too. Best wishes from the UK, Phaedra x
Phaedra Patrick
Thanks for reading the book, Maria. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. I've no plans as yet to take Arthur on another journey, but it's not something I've ruled out. I'd love to revisit him but would need a proper adventure to take him on, a real reason to write about him again. So, my book 3 definitely won't be about him, but as for book 4 or 5, who knows what will happen...! Best wishes, Phaedra
Phaedra Patrick
Great question! Mine would be Caleb and Camille Fang, from The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson. They're a couple of artists who subject their two children to a host of madcap public 'performances' in the name of art. They are so unique and focused on their ideas that they can't see they are messing up their kids heads and lives. As I read the book I laughed and cringed all the way through, and I still smile thinking about some of their stunts.
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Lorraine. I'm not sure if I answered your lovely comment. Apologies if I didn't. I'm relatively new to Goodreads and not totally great with where messages appear etc. I get in a bit of a tangle with Twitter, Facebook and all the different social media channels! I'm so glad that you enjoyed reading Arthur's journey. I'm just editing book 2 to I hope you will enjoy that one too.
Phaedra Patrick
Hi. That's a great question Jerri. Apologies for my late response, I've just returned from a family holiday. A few people have asked for an update book on Arthur's journey, however I agree that he would need another quest to go on or conflict to tackle. I think that all books and novels need an 'inciting incident', something that takes the character from their normal existence, to make a decision and propel them into some kind of personal (internal or external) journey. I do have further ideas for Arthur in my head but book 2 will follow a different character and situation. Thanks for asking...
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Steven. Thanks for getting in touch and so pleased you and your wife enjoyed the book.
Book 2 is about a completely different character and I've just sent it off to the publisher for their thoughts (it's another male character).
In my head I know how Arthur's story continues, and I think that Bernadette will be a better match for him :-) So hopefully he will have another outing and more adventures one day.
Book 2 is about a completely different character and I've just sent it off to the publisher for their thoughts (it's another male character).
In my head I know how Arthur's story continues, and I think that Bernadette will be a better match for him :-) So hopefully he will have another outing and more adventures one day.
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Adriana. So pleased you enjoyed the book, and thanks for taking the time to let me know. There are no plans for a film as yet, but fingers crossed!! I finished writing book 2 a couple of weeks ago and it's now with my publisher waiting for their feedback. I should think it will be out next year, maybe 12 months or so after Arthur. Best wishes - Phaedra
Phaedra Patrick
Thanks so much Elizabeth. That is so lovely to hear! I delivered Book 2 to my publishers just a week ago and am waiting to hear back from them. I hope they like it! think it will probably be published next year sometime, maybe around 12 months after Curious Charms.
The last couple of months have been hectic so I am currently enjoying a little time out, conjuring up ideas for Book 3.
The last couple of months have been hectic so I am currently enjoying a little time out, conjuring up ideas for Book 3.
Phaedra Patrick
Hi. I am a bit of a planner, though not meticulous at all. Just to give me a bit of structure.
I did a short screenwriting course a while ago and it taught you how to divide stories into 8 sections (for example section 7 is always the emotional scene). This helps me to jot down ideas I have for each section and gives my book a bit of structure. It's a bit like having hangers in a wardrobe for your clothes. If you don't have them, your wardrobe will be a bit of a mess!
I usually have some idea of the final scene, as knowing the end helps you to take your character on the journey towards it. For all the bits in between I write on the fly sometimes, as it can take you to some wonderful places.
Arthur in India was planned, as was his tiger attack. His London visit to the novelist, stay in a hostel and meeting with the man with two girlfriends was all written on the fly. I only found out his wife's secret at the same time as Arthur!
Thanks for asking :-)
I did a short screenwriting course a while ago and it taught you how to divide stories into 8 sections (for example section 7 is always the emotional scene). This helps me to jot down ideas I have for each section and gives my book a bit of structure. It's a bit like having hangers in a wardrobe for your clothes. If you don't have them, your wardrobe will be a bit of a mess!
I usually have some idea of the final scene, as knowing the end helps you to take your character on the journey towards it. For all the bits in between I write on the fly sometimes, as it can take you to some wonderful places.
Arthur in India was planned, as was his tiger attack. His London visit to the novelist, stay in a hostel and meeting with the man with two girlfriends was all written on the fly. I only found out his wife's secret at the same time as Arthur!
Thanks for asking :-)
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Grace
One of my favourite books is The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck, about mature French dressmaker. Claude Reynaud. This influenced one of the scenes in my book, when Arthur visits the wedding dress shop in Paris. I also enjoy Antoine Laurain's books (The President's Hat and The Red Notebook). His characters aren't elderly, but they are definitely middle-aged.
I love to read about characters who have a goal, and then you can follow them on that goal, and cheer and cry with them along the way - no matter what their age is. I think we all support Arthur because we see in him our dads and granddads and can relate to that. We can admire his braveness and resolve, his determination and love of his family.
One of my favourite books is The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck, about mature French dressmaker. Claude Reynaud. This influenced one of the scenes in my book, when Arthur visits the wedding dress shop in Paris. I also enjoy Antoine Laurain's books (The President's Hat and The Red Notebook). His characters aren't elderly, but they are definitely middle-aged.
I love to read about characters who have a goal, and then you can follow them on that goal, and cheer and cry with them along the way - no matter what their age is. I think we all support Arthur because we see in him our dads and granddads and can relate to that. We can admire his braveness and resolve, his determination and love of his family.
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Grace. It's great to hear that you enjoyed the book. I've posted a few more Q&A on my website http://www.phaedra-patrick.com/about/ if that's of interest, but do send over your own questions too. I'll try to answer them asap for you :-)
Phaedra Patrick
Hi Claire. I'm originally from Oldham (Werneth) and moved her 11 years ago. I love it here! My favourite thing to do is to walk along the canal on both rainy or sunny days, to head into Uppermill for a nice lunch. I wrote my book on the train from Greenfield to Manchester, when I worked in the city centre. I left my job last year and it will be nice to try writing in the hills when the weather gets nicer. Hope you enjoy the book :-)
Phaedra Patrick
I got the idea for The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper from showing my son my own childhood charm bracelet and telling the stories behind each of the charms.
I also knew that I wanted to write about an elderly character and enjoyed the challenge of choosing a 69-year-old, newly bereaved man.
Each of the characters on Arthur's journey are inspired by characters and events in my own life. It was like opening a scrapbook and pulling them out to give to Arthur!
I also knew that I wanted to write about an elderly character and enjoyed the challenge of choosing a 69-year-old, newly bereaved man.
Each of the characters on Arthur's journey are inspired by characters and events in my own life. It was like opening a scrapbook and pulling them out to give to Arthur!
Phaedra Patrick
I knew from a very early age that I wanted to write novels. Except I told myself, for a long time, that 'people like me' don't become writers. It took many years for me to learn to ignore the voices in my head and to give it a go.
If I need inspiration, I flick through books that I like and own already. I go to book shops and look at the lovely covers and read the blurbs. I'm an avid magazine reader too. New ideas are everywhere!
If I need inspiration, I flick through books that I like and own already. I go to book shops and look at the lovely covers and read the blurbs. I'm an avid magazine reader too. New ideas are everywhere!
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