Twenty Questions with Patricia Kiyono

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Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Twenty Questions with Patricia Kiyono

Meet your new favorite authors!

I confess I was fascinated the first time I talked writing with Patty and she told me about her Samuri historical Book-of-the-Heart she wanted to write because it tied into her Japanese history.  I get so excited when those dream projects grow to fruition  . . . and get into my avid reader's hands.  I'm still waiting for Samuri Garden to be available, but in the meantime I've been enjoying Patty's sweet short Regency The Partridge and the Pear Tree.  You'll fall in love with the wonderful, warm characters who are as uniquely delightful as the author.  Meet Patricia Kiyono . . .


Getting to know Patricia Kiyono:

1. Party dress or blue jeans? Blue jeans, definitely!


2. Night owl or early bird? Both. I don't sleep more than five hours at a time. But sometimes I take naps when I'm burnt out.

3. TV at home or movie theatre? Neither. I don't know how to turn the TV on (too many remotes) and my hubby won't go out.

4. Broadway or museum? Both! I'm a musician and a history buff. Do I really have to make a choice?

5. Five words you use to describe yourself: Busy, happy, curious, chubby, grandma

6. Other creative outlets? Sewing, scrapbooking, crocheting, knitting, and crafting (any kind)

7. Things that make you want to go “EEEEEEK!” Flying insects, toilet seats left up

8. Favorite books from childhood: The Boxcar Children. Love those independent and resourceful kids!

9. What music are you listening to? (While you write?) Classical instrumental music. I can't listen to anything with words.

10. Gourmet cook or take out? I have a live-in gourmet cook. He's always done the cooking since he got home from work three hours before I did. When he retired, he started subscribing to food magazines and watching the Food Channel for more recipes and he tries them out!

The Written word:


11. What type of fiction heroine would you be? Jane Eyre or Lara Croft? Jayne Eyre. But I'd love to be Lara for a day.

12. Favorite genre to read? (Is it what you write?) Romantic suspense. I've tried to write it, with Aegean Intrigue, but I'm not sure it's my forte.

13. What would you love to write that you haven’t? A cozy mystery. I love to read Donna Andrews and Joanne Fluke.

14. Fiction hero you would run off with: Janet Evanovich’s Joe Morelli.

15. What are you reading right now? The Accidental Immortal by S G Rogers

A Writer’s Life:


16. How many submissions did you send out before publication? None. When I finally got brave enough to submit to a publisher, the manuscript was accepted.

17. Do you have a set writing schedule? No. I write whenever I can. But I always write my 750 words as soon as I can at 750words.com

18. Biggest hurdle to getting words on the page and how you overcome it: In writing The Partridge and the Peartree I got hung up on the whole business about how people in various stations of life would address members of the nobility, and how the nobles would address each other. It was a lot to take in! I overcame it by simply writing the story and then looking up each question.

19. What’s on your desk? Candy wrappers, a mug half-filled with coffee, several books…

20. When can we get your next book? The Partridge and the Peartree was released at Astraea Press on November 1, and The Samurai's Garden is available today, also at Astraea Press!

Blurbs:


For The Partridge and the Peartree:

Phillip Peartree, Duke of Bartlett, dreamed of a peaceful life with a suitable mate until a hunting accident left him scarred and nearly deaf. Resigned to spending the rest of his days alone, Phillip has devoted himself to rebuilding his family estate. But, a chance encounter with a lovely young woman in a dusty bookstore rekindles his almost-forgotten hopes and dreams.

Lady Amelia Partridge has no time for the frivolity of the London social scene. She is much too busy. In addition to her work with the Ladies Literary Society, she has a mission – educating poor children in the city. She also has a secret life, one she fears might drive away the young duke who has become increasingly important to her.

For The Samurai's Garden:


Hiro Tanaka prepared for a life as a samurai warrior. But his world changed when Japan's feudal system was abolished by the Emperor. Now, he must find a new vocation. Disillusioned with fighting and violence, he travels alone, going north to the island of Hokkaido. Many other samurai wander through the country and are known as ronin. Some have forsaken their honorable way to prey on the less fortunate.

Hanako Shimizu experienced first-hand the devastation caused by these disreputable wanderers. The previous winter, they raided her farm and killed her husband. Now, she needs to rebuild but has no money and no prospects -- except for the dubious intentions of the town merchant.

When Hiro, tired of his wandering, encounters Hanako in the market, arguing with the merchant, he poses as her late husband’s cousin then offers to help her on the farm in exchange for a place to stay. Working on the land, Hiro finally finds the peace he has been seeking. But the reappearance of the rogue ronin, led by an unscrupulous leader from Hiro’s past, forces him to take up his swords again. But now, the stakes are higher.

This time, he's fighting from the heart.

Bio:

During her first career, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary music, computer classes, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches music education at the university level.

Patricia lives in southwest Michigan with her husband, not far from her children and grandchildren. Current interests, aside from writing, include sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and music. A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures.


Contact Links:


Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

17 comments

  1. Wonderful post, Patricia. Love the Q & A. Thanks for sharing a little of yourself with us. Your stories are delightful and your book covers are gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks so much, Loralee! I've enjoyed your books, too!

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  3. Great interview, ladies. Nancy, I love the questions. Patty, I totally agree with you on #9. I can't listen to music with English words because I would be so distracted. Foreign words are okay (like some of Enya's music). There is something about classical music that makes it easier to write. Looking forward to reading Partridge and Peartree. Cute title, btw.

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    1. Good point, Diane. I can listen to Italian opera and still write, because I can't understand the words. Hope you like Partridge!

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  4. Great interview Patty! Good luck with your books! :)

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  5. Wonderful inteview. For those of us who know Patty, yes, she is all of the above.
    Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks so much, Katie. You're such a supportive friend.

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  6. Great interview. I love the questions that allow short answers that say so much. Great answers Patty!

    Nancy: I met you probably 15 years ago at a conference at a small college in Scottville. You were so encouraging and I've never forgotten your words or given away your signed book. You still are encouraging authors and that is great to see. Thank you.

    Since then, I've changed from romance to mystery genre and my fourth book will be out in February. I've always wanted to thank you and Patty was the key.
    Wendy
    W.S. Gager on Writing

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  7. Patty, great interview! It me a bit more about you than I knew before. Cozy mysteries?? Hmmm...I think that could be arranged. :)

    Nancy, you have a lovely blog. I went back and read some of the older posts. Very nicely done. Love your writing!

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  8. Thanks, Stephanie! Half the fun is introducing readers and writers, and writers and writers to each other.

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  9. Loved the interview, ladies!! Your book sounds fabulous, Patty! Can't wait to read it! Wishing you many, many sales!!!

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  10. I concur with many of the above. Interesting questions and short answers that reveal so much. I have Aegean Intrique on Kindle, Patty. Nice to now know there are others. Love those books of the heart.

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    1. Books of the heart are so much more difficult, I think. This one took me much, much longer than the rest because I wanted it to be perfect. But now I want to tell Hiro's son's story. This might end up being the series of my heart!

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