BLOGWORDS – Thursday 11 September 2025 – CHAT THURSDAY – PAT NICHOLS
BLOGWORDS – Thursday 11 September 2025 – CHAT THURSDAY – PAT NICHOLS
CHAT THURSDAY – PAT NICHOLS
Please give a warm feathered welcome to author and friend, Pat Nichols
rem: Hullo Pat, and welcome. Tell us three random things about yourself.
PAT: Hmm. First, math was my least favorite subject, yet I enjoy Sudoku. Fortunately, the game doesn’t require calculations, just patterns. Second, I have never driven my husband’s six-speed, manual transmission Corvette, which he bought in 2006. Third, most years I have my house decorated for Christmas by the end of October. You guessed it, Christmas is my favorite holiday, and I love decorating.
rem: Yeah, I don’t like math, either. What is your favorite quotation and why?
PAT: There are so many, however one that comes to mind is, “Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.” By James Baldwin.
rem: That’s so true, and so telling. When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you? Your fiction pet peeve?
PAT: The first chapters make all the difference. If the storyline doesn’t intrigue me by the end of chapter three, I stop reading. In regard to pet peeves, I suppose the use of the dialogue tags to identify the speakers, especially when combined with an action beat. For example; …she said while brushing her fingers through her hair. Brushing her fingers through her hair identifies the speaker without interrupting the flow with the word said. Just saying…
rem: Dialogue is a make it / break it for me, too. I prefer an action beat to dialogue tags. What are you reading right now?
PAT: And Then They Prayed, a collection of moments in American History that were impacted by prayer. These are true stories, most of which aren’t taught in history classes.
rem: There is such power in prayer. It’s a shame it’s not taught more. Tell us a little about your writing journey.
PAT: In 2014, at the ripe young age of sixty-eight, nine years after retiring from the corporate world, a close family friend’s passing led me to write my first manuscript. A year later when I finished Jenny’s Grace, I knew God had opened the door to pursue a second career as an author. I also realized I had a lot to learn. So, I began going to conferences and taking writing courses while starting a second manuscript, The Secret of Willow Inn. That book was traditionally published in 2019, as were the next two books in the Willow Falls series. In 2022 I transitioned to self-publishing and now have fifteen published books. Jenny’s Grace, my only standalone, is now a free eBook gift to all my new newsletter subscribers. Having begun this journey as a senior citizen, my motto is, “it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”
rem: I love your story, Pat. And I’ve loved all of your books that I’ve (had a chance to) read. What genre(s) do you write and why?
PAT: A funny thing happened at my first writers conference. We all gathered in a large room and were told we’d soon divide into groups by genre. I had finished writing The Secret of Willow Inn, and had no idea to which group I belonged. I listened carefully as each was described. Nothing seemed to fit, until the last was explained—women’s fiction. Perfect. I love this genre because it follows female characters’ emotional journeys as they forge through life’s peaks and valleys. Another fact I love about women’s fiction, the stories can include any combination of romance, suspense, mystery, and humor.
rem: I’ve seen a tough of all of that in your stories. Tell us a little about your latest book? What is your current project?
PAT: I have begun writing Fragile Hearts, book eight in my Blue Ridge series. Book seven, Whispers of Hope releases mid-October. I will continue adding books to this series until the characters living in my head tell me it’s time to move on. Could be a while.
rem: I, uh, need to get caught up on the Blue Ridge series… What is YOUR favorite part about the book or why do you love this book? Why should we read it?
PAT: What I enjoy most about each new book in the series are the unexpected twists and the new characters. Because the books in the Blue Ridge series are not standalone, readers should begin with book one, Blizzard at Blue Ridge Inn. Perhaps one reason to read Blizard is best stated by an Amazon reader: “Can’t tell you how long I have waited for an original story line. I was so pleasantly surprised!”
rem: Yeah, that was a doozy! What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with?
PAT: With courage, resolve, and the love of family and friends, women can overcome any challenge, no matter how devastating or heartbreaking.
rem: “The love of family and friends” is a powerful force. One more and then we’ll close. Do you have a life Scripture?
PAT: Rather than one scripture, I begin every day with the Lord’s prayer, ending with thanking God for another day.
rem: Pat, that’s beautiful. Anything you’d like to add?
PAT: For all the new authors, despite setbacks or disappointments, stay the course and study the craft. The journey is well worth the effort.
rem: I couldn’t agree more! Pat, thank you so much for chatting with us on my blog today!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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#Blogwords, Chat Thursday, Interview, Pat Nichols, James Baldwin, And Then They Prayed, Jenny’s Grace, The Secret of Willow Inn, Fragile Hearts, Whispers of Hope, Blizzard at Blue Ridge Inn, The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13
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