Patricia Antone
USA
Age 50
Then again, it isn’t quite empty with Zeus (AKA No No Bad Dog) and his sister Toni (AKA The Towncrier) at home to stir things up.
When not hanging out with the hubby and fur kids on the patio, or enjoying my garden, I can be found scribbling into a notebook with a new idea I can’t wait to share.
Recently, I helped found The Wandering Wordsmiths. A group of local authors, who travel together, celebrating reading. While we hang out with our readers, we toss all those ideas about to keep the words flowing to the pages.
Hope we get to see you at one of our appearances!
Member since 2016
Romance Writers of America
Member since 2016
Central New York Romance Writers
House: Neverland
House Cup Winner of 2020
School of Writing Wizardry
Annual Braggies Event
Tucked away in her memory of the night she snuck out, is the drool worthy man in a kilt who rescues her and her cousin, Evan. After warning her to stay away from the runes, Gavin Leod promises to protect her with his life. He then leaves her with the gift of a Moonstone set in silver, as a token. The ring’s swirling stone heightens her gifts. The same gifts she keeps tucked away in denial.
Banned from visiting Scotland after that night, Duncanne is dragged back to Scotland due to the need of settling family affairs. The job is unfortunately hers by default, as everyone else has passed and not by natural causes. More like well executed accidents, on full moons.
Unknown to Duncanne, this visit to Scotland will start a collision course that has been gearing for centuries. The Sleeping Warrior legend tells stories of a duty that will be fulfilled.
On his patrol, Gavin spots a woman running from the enemy searching for her. He intercepts the woman, discovering she is his thought to be lost ward.
Duncanne Collinne MacKay tried to outrun her destiny. Now she will carry a big sword to meet it, as she uses the family’s fabled power to save their existence.
All while she clutches tightly to the love she has found in a time not hers.
Romelia: WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE AN ACTIVIST, AND WHAT KIND?
Patricia Antone: That is a good question. I’d have to say, in the book titled, Love Came Knocking, Clifford Kayman, Former Navy SEAL. He created a security office. Their specialty is to cater to Domestic Violence. He hires his “Trusted” with that in mind. To protect those who cannot protect themselves. Money should not dictate safety and they will do pro-bono work, as well as help the police department.
Romelia: DO YOU PLAY MUSIC WHILE YOU WRITE – AND, IF SO, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE?
Patricia Antone: I play a mix. Jazz. Classical. 70’s and 80’s. I was a musician all through school, so my taste is eclectic.
Romelia: HAVE PETS EVER GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF YOUR WRITING?
Patricia Antone: Insert laughing here. I have 2 dogs. My 100 lb. Lab mix, Zeus, AKA No No Bad Dog, is banned from my office during video meetings. He yodels and barks for attention from the voices he hears. His 40lb sister, a mix named Toni, AKA Town crier, is the opposite. She climbs in my lap to see the computer screen.
Romelia: IF YOUR BOOK WERE MADE INTO A MOVIE, WHICH ACTORS WOULD PLAY YOUR CHARACTERS?
Patricia Antone: If it were Catching a Cowboy’s Eye, Christian Kane would be Garrett Cole. He was fantastic in 50 to 1. If it were Can’t Outrun Destiny, Adrian Paul would be Gavin Leod. I am a huge Highlander fan. Duncan MacLeod was who I based my Scottish hero on. I tend to cast my hero to get my story rhythm and cover set up.
Romelia: HAVE YOU EVER KILLED OFF A CHARACTER YOUR READERS LOVED?
Patricia Antone: Not yet. I have kidnapped, shot, and beaten them up though.
Romelia: WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN ABOUT WRITING?
Patricia Antone: Patience. This is not a get rich career. Write because you love to.
Romelia: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST WAY TO IMPROVE WRITING SKILLS?
Patricia Antone: I attend regular workshops, classes, and work with a critique group. Be prepared for both good and bad feedback.
Romelia: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO HELP OTHERS CREATE PLOTLINES?
Patricia Antone: There is no wrong plotline. That said – find out if there a reader interest in your plotline. Romance is a huge genre, that I also read myself.
Romelia: WHAT HAS HELPED OR HINDERED YOU MOST WHEN WRITING A BOOK?
Patricia Antone: What has helped is the group I am a member of. The Central New York Romance Writers, a local chapter of the Romance Writers of America. My hindrance is my own insecurities on occasion. I stepped out of my neat little box when I became a writer.
Romelia: DOES WRITING ENERGIZE OR EXHAUST YOU? OR BOTH?
Patricia Antone: It energizes me! I can spend hours wrapped in a story. I love the creativity.
Romelia: WHAT IS THE BEST MONEY YOU’VE EVER SPENT WITH REGARD TO YOUR WRITING?
Patricia Antone: Becoming a member of my writers’ group and the RWA. The dues give me access to classes, other writers to work with, and mentors who have been amazing.
Romelia: WHAT ARE COMMON TRAPS FOR NEW AUTHORS?
Patricia Antone: Doubt. I admit I am not one to take criticism well. They have helped my self-confidence. No idea is bad, no story is bad. The ideas offered just make it better. It is an amazing ‘village’.
Romelia: HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DO YOU WRITE?
Patricia Antone: On a day off from work I can put 12 hours in. Otherwise, a few hours a day after work in the evenings is my usual.
Romelia: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BLOGS OR WEBSITES FOR WRITERS?
Patricia Antone: I follow many authors on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I don’t have per say favorites. I have a more like a list I keep up with.
Romelia: AT WHAT TIME OF THE DAY DO YOU DO MOST OF YOUR WRITING?
Patricia Antone: I’d say the evenings after my day job. I am a night owl by nature, so I love to work into the night when it is quiet.
Romelia: HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH CHARACTER NAMES FOR YOUR STORIES?
Patricia Antone: Per my family, I have a vivid imagination. It strikes and a book is born.
Romelia: DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN WRITING CHALLENGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA? DO YOU RECOMMEND ANY?
Patricia Antone: NaNoWriMo is popular. I work a lot of hours, so that one is tough. My writers group does a once a month challenge I participate in. We set a goal and as a group cheer each other on to achieve it. I have written over 11,000 words in a week during one. I enjoy the motivation, but it isn’t for everyone. We have members who prefer to not to participate.
Romelia: IF YOU HAD THE POWER TO CURE A DISEASE OF YOUR CHOOSING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Patricia Antone: Lou Gehrig’s disease. My grandmother passed from this when I was 8 years old. To be trapped in your slowly failing body, while your mind remains intact, in my opinion, is a terrible way to die.
Romelia: WHEN YOU’RE WRITING AN EMOTIONAL OR DIFFICULT SCENE, HOW DO YOU SET THE MOOD?
Patricia Antone: Armed with tissues and wine; I let it all go. I have cried through scenes in sorrow and joy. If I have had a bad day, I will work on an angry scene with gusto.
Romelia: WHOM DO YOU TRUST FOR OBJECTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF YOUR WORK?
Patricia Antone: I have a team of beta readers and my critique group. They are invaluable.
Romelia: WHAT BOOKS DO YOU ENJOY READING?
Patricia Antone: Suspense, mystery, romance, and history. I love history and archaeology.
Romelia: ARE THERE ANY BOOKS OR AUTHORS THAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?
Patricia Antone: I did take a minute to think, but no. I enjoyed Creative Writing all thorough school and college. My teachers and professors said I had a gift and loved my papers when I was given a ‘loose outline’ to work with.
Romelia: NAME AN UNDERAPPRECIATED NOVEL THAT YOU LOVE.
Patricia Antone: The Accidental Tourist, written by Anne Tyler. I saw the movie adaptation 1985 and own a well-loved paperback copy. It has just been a favorite for a long time that I reread now and again.
Romelia: TELL US SOMETHING FUNNY FROM YOUR ADULT LIFE.
Patricia Antone: While I have an amazing garden outside, I can kill a houseplant by looking at it. I buy them, then end up giving them to my mother to save. She has asked me to stop trying for the safety of plants all over.
Romelia: describe yourself in a few sentences. Tell us something we do not know about you and something you hate about the world.
Patricia Antone: I am a bit of an introvert that is learning to enjoy the world. That said, I keep faith that the world will right itself and we will be whole again.
Contact details:
Email: patricia.antone@yahoo.com
Facebook: Patricia Antone
Twitter: @Patricia64780422, Author Patricia Antone
Instagram: patricia_antone, Author Patricia Antone
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-outrun-destiny-patricia-antone/1130534397?ean=9781987023848
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