A chat with Patry Francis

As a writer, I spend many hours facing an empty computer screen trying to create the perfect story that will captivate my audience and make them want for more, which as I have learned, is quite the feat. This month's Jen's Jewel has mastered her craft and then some.

I first heard about Patry Francis from my friend Amanda Tobier at Penguin Books. Whenever Amanda sends me a book, it goes without saying that the novel will be phenomenal. She has the knack of being able to put her finger on the pulse of what most definitely will be a hot commodity in the fiction market. THE LIAR'S DIARY is no exception. I was hooked from the very first page.

What I like best about this novel is the way Patry Francis pulls the reader in with her strong characterizations. She makes it seem as if her characters are like the people next door or even down the street...just ordinary people. And as for the plot itself, it is a psychological suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat just biting your nails in anticipation of the character's next move. It's really that good.

THE LIAR'S DIARY is a spell-binding tale of two polar opposite women who befriend each other despite their differences and become each other's confidant. As the story unfolds, haunting secrets from the past and lies and deception from the present wind up intertwining their lives and brings them to a point of no return. The final blow is a shocking plot twist that you won't see coming. And just when you think it can't get possibly get any better, it does. Believe me. The story is well worth the read.

As part of the column, five lucky readers will win their own copy of THE LIAR'S DIARY. So go ahead and get to know Patry Francis and don't forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. Good Luck!

Jen: Please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background.

Patry: I always wanted to be a writer, but I got married and had children at a very young age. By the time I attended college, I was divorced with two small sons to support so I decided to major in Communications (I thought that would be more practical.) But what I learned was that if you have an overwhelmingly powerful dream, the only practical--and maybe even possible--thing to do is to follow it!

Jen: What finally made you take the leap and pursue a writing career?

Patry: In middle school, I was scribbling poems when I should have been doing my algebra problems; and in high school, I first took a stab at writing a novel. I think what made me take my career more seriously was TIME. When my children (four in all) got a little older, I finally had the hours and the clear mental space necessary to write and revise a novel.

Jen: You started your career writing poetry and short stories. What has been the biggest challenge for you as a writer switching gears from poetry to plotting an entire novel?

Patry: Probably keeping track of all the threads, and making sure everything is consistent throughout the book. I like to create a complex plot so taking care that every question that is raised gets answered was a challenge. But in the end, I believe it all came together.

Jen: For all of the aspiring writers out there who read my column, please tell us how you were able to get your work published. Did you hire an agent? Send out manuscripts? About how long did it take?

Patry: I was completely obsessed. I read acknowledgment pages and guides and poured over Websites that provided information about agents and editors. I learned everything I could about who represented whom, who sold what, and which agents represented books like mine. Then I wrote the best query letter I could possibly write, and sent them out in bunches. It took me about three months to receive an offer. But once that happened, I quickly got two more and was able to choose the right agent for me.

Jen: Please describe your typical work/writing day. What is the most rewarding part of being an author?

Patry: When I'm immersed in a project, I allow myself fifteen minutes in the morning to read my e-mail. Then I plunge right in and do my daily writing (1,000-2,000 words.) I've learned that if I put it off, I may never get to it. The most rewarding part of being an author is being read by people I've never met! It's meeting a stranger who loves my characters as much as I do, and hearing them ask, "When is the next book coming out?"

Jen: Whose opinion do you value most when it comes to your writing and why?

Patry: A few trusted friends and family members read my work first, and I listen carefully to their suggestions. My agent is also a terrific reader, and I value her opinion very much. With THE LIAR'S DIARY, I had the privilege of working with a brilliant editor whose thoughtful questions improved the novel vastly. However, in the end, I think a writer has to value her own opinion most.

Jen: THE LIAR'S DIARY is a suspenseful novel that is extremely well-written and at times nail-biting. I just could not put it down. How did you arrive at the premise?

Patry: I found mine in a much publicized murder committed by a well-liked adolescent from a "good family". As a writer, I wanted to explore how such a boy might deceive so many people--especially his own family. I also wanted to understand how they had failed to recognize his problem. However, once I got started THE LIAR'S DIARY took off in an entirely different direction, and bears almost no resemblance to the story that inspired it.

Jen: Ali Mathers, one of the main characters in the book, is a charismatic woman who draws everyone into her web of deception while at the same time; she tries to deal with her own demons from the past. Tell us what you like best about her and why.

Patry: I love Ali's fearlessness. Though it lies at the root of all her trouble, and causes pain for other people in her life, it also propels her to risk her life to save someone else. To me, Ali is a flawed, but very genuine, hero.

Jen: Jeanne Cross, the other main character, is your typical housewife who is putting up the all too familiar façade of living a normal life when in actuality, her life is in shambles. What message, if any, are you sending to your readers through this character? What do you like best about her and why?

Patry: By choosing friendship with Ali, Jeanne unconsciously decides to grow and change. It is incredibly painful for her, and in many ways goes against her nature, but by the end of the novel, she is a much stronger character. I also admire (and envy) Jeanne's organized nature.

Jen: Comparing Ali to Jeanne, who is the stronger character and why?

Patry: Ali is definitely stronger. Though she is confused and vulnerable in many ways, she has the heart of a lion.

Jen: How much research did you do for this novel and what was the most fascinating thing you learned?

Patry: I spoke with two psychiatrists, as well as an expert who deals with one of the issues that is dealt with in the novel. I also listened to a lot of classical music. Probably the most interesting thing I learned was that all classical music wasn't composed by dead people! There are a lot of new composers out there who are producing some remarkable music.

Jen: What has surprised you most about the publishing business and why?

Patry: How much it is changing! There are more opportunities than ever for an author to be pro-active about marketing their book. I love that!

Jen: From what I have read, you are no stranger to the blogging world. Please tell us about your two blogs.

Patry: Simply Wait has become my heart and my home. It's not just a blog about me and my work; it's a place where an amazing group of people come to tell stories, laugh, and discuss important questions like "When was the last time your life changed?" My second blog, "Waitress Poems" is just that: poems about ordinary life.

Jen: Do you do phone chats? If so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Do you have a web site? Mailing list? E-mail notification of releases? Book signings?

Patry: I love to do phone chats, which can be scheduled through my website. All of the above can be found at my website.

Jen: Are you writing another book? If so, what can you tell us about it?

Patry: My new novel, which is set on Cape Cod, is also psychological suspense. But at its center is a powerful love story. Here is a sneak peek just for your readers.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me and for giving my readers the inside scoop about your next novel. I truly enjoyed THE LIAR'S DIARY and I'm looking forward to reading HELENA'S POINT. Best of luck in your future!

Patry: Thank you, Jen! It's been a pleasure.

Enter the contest to win a copy of THE LIAR'S DIARY.

Be on the look-out for my next column which will appear on the May 15. I will be interviewing Paulina Porizkova, former Super Model as well as contestant on Dancing with the Stars. She has written her first novel called A MODEL SUMMER. You won't want to miss it!

Until next time.......Jen