Tuesdays Tidbits With Kari: Featuring Author Patti Brooks

Kari: You write both historical fiction during the prohibition era as well as a murder mystery set in the New England horse world. What difficulties do you find switching back and forth between genres and which genre do you prefer?

Patti: When I wrote the historical novel, "Mountain Shadows," I was very conscious of making sure my characters to true to the time period (1925 in NY State’s Adirondack Mts.) Even though I grew up in the towns where the novel was set, it took 4 years of research for me to get the facts crystal clear for the treatment of Tuberculars in the days before antibiotics. To fully understand the desperation of the patients set out in the cold to "cure." Every day, when I sat down at the computer, it took me awhile to get back into that frame of mind. To help I surrounded my work place with pictures that would help the process.

My contemporary murder mystery, "Fame & Deceit," is set in the horse world where I spend my life. It required virtually no research. But, since the nuances of the horse world are not understood by the general mystery-reading public, I had to make sure I wasn’t "preaching" about the horse world to my readers. My goal was to give an enjoyable read where, perhaps, the reader might pick up some interesting tidbits about horses, but not make it a lecture. I was surprised when my reading group kept asking for more details.I love doing the research for historicals. But since I can’t afford to hire a researcher, it probably is not wise to spend so much time to produce one, especially seeing that I find it hard to interest editors in a historical. Many more readers appear to love a good mystery.

Kari: Your New England horse world mysteries sound fascinating. Can you tell us a little about the latest book in the series?

Patti: "Fame & Deceit," published in 2009, is the first in a short series highlighting the adventures of my protagonist, Ike Cherny (a horse profiler/trainer).The second in the series, "GPS Illusions," is well on it’s way to conclusion. Ike is about to ask Tuleigh to marry him. She is the New England feed rep for Blurena Feeds. Tuleigh disappears without a word. Ike believes something bad has happened to her. A short time after she disappears, Ike comes across her portable GPS which she used to get to the farms in her territory.Ike discovers Tuleigh has 71 saved destinations on her GPS. All identified by a man’s name. He sets out to see where each leads in hopes of finding a clue of her whereabouts. Eventually it becomes clear that Tuleigh may be much more than a feed rep.

Kari: You and your horse Peppertime appeared in TV commercials. I can't imagine how exciting that must have been. Can you tell us how that came about?

Patti: My husband and I ran a high profile training stable. A car dealership (Lance Pontiac) hired a professional advertising company to create TV commercials. It was determined that the most unique way to catch attention was to have a knight in armor with a large "Lance" gallop around the cars. The advertising company called the headquarters of our breed association (Morgan Horses) and they recommend us. Morgan Horses, by the way, are the only breed of horses the US govt ever bred. The farm, in Weybridge, VT closed in 1952 and is now run by the University of Vermont.

Kari: You and your horse Peppertime also jumped out of a horse-size birthday cake to celebrate the bicentennial of the Morgan Horse. Was it difficult to get your horse to cooperate and did it inspire any exciting scenes in your books?

Patti: Peppertime was a very popular breeding stallion. He sired 105 foals that are across the country, Canada, England, Scotland and Sweden. Not many owners of the high powered show horses would be willing to risk injury to their horse by attempting this, but we always like the challenge of finding new ways to enjoy him. Peppertime was an extremely cooperative stallion and loved to do new stuff. Even so, it took a couple of months of practicing to get him happy to jump from a standstill, through streaming layers of crepe paper into a crowd of people singing "Happy Birthday."

No, I've never used -- or have plans to use this in a novel. But, who knows, there may be a horse doing strange things in an upcoming story! What I am putting the finishing touches on is a story based upon a plane crash I was in as a teen. My father flew his own plane and on a dark Halloween night, we crashed into an Adirondack mountain and walked (I was barefoot) out of the woods the next day.

Kari: Your first novel Mountain Shadows has been chosen as required reading for some NY state high schools? How did that come about?

Patti: I am a native of Lake Placid which figures heavily in "Mountain Shadows." The principal of the Lake Placid Central High read the novel as part of his book discussion group. He immediately saw its value as an accurate account of the period that should become part of the students’ required New York State History class. (probably a sugar-coated way to get the history across!)Part of the deal was for me to come to the school every spring to talk to the students after they have read the book. That principal passed the notion on to other Adirondack principals. I’m now up to 8 high schools and one college in Syracuse.

Kari: I see you teach a fiction writing class at a community college. How do you find the time to do it all? What's your schedule like?

Patti: The fiction writing class I teach is once a week with 8 - 10 students. They must submit +/-2000 words weekly and send it by email to the class (and me) ahead of time. The class is mostly discussion on what they have written. It’s not overwhelming for me. I’m an early riser and most mornings I’m at my computer by 4:30 - 5:00 am in my special writing room with a picture window view of our pond. The "normal" day starts with breakfast about 7:30 followed by household chores and, depending on the weather, back to the computer until noon. Afternoons are for the horses. I have been working a new horse since last fall to prepare for the competitive distance riding I enjoy. These rides are along the east coast from Maine to Virginia and are from 25 miles to 3-day 100 mile rides. This year I’m also the president of the trail ride association.

Kari: Any tips or writing links you can share with our aspiring writers?

Patti: Tips would be to keep at it– actually get to put "the end" on a first draft. Join – or put together – a writers’ critique group. Join an online one. Investigate on line classes. Listen attentively to all constructive criticism. When a particular type of comment comes up again and again, chances are you should make changes to your manuscript. Make sure every scene moves the story along. Before sending it off the prospective agents or editors, have someone other than your significant other, mother or best friend, (i.e. a professional editor) go over it with a fine tooth comb.

Kari: Who are your favorite authors?

Patti: I seldom see the authors I love to read noted by other writers. But here is what I've enjoyed:

Wilbur Smith is a native of Africa and has written 30+ novels of adventure and mystery. I appreciate his understanding of animals. Of course his are mostly the wild African animals his character encounters, but I feel good that he knows what he is writing about.

Anna Lee Waldo. I fell in love with her "Sacajawea" Her mastery of making a story out of history certainly influence me. When I bought this 1,408 page book it in 1978, I did so mostly because it was a BIG book. I always prefer long books (well written, that is) so I can really immerse myself in them. These 1,000+ page novels are getting scarce. I also read and enjoyed every page of he "Prairie." Both soooo well researched.

David Guterson for his "Snow Falling on Cedars." Beautifully written glimpse of history on the west coast.

I read everything Tom Clancy and Ken Follet write (once again enjoying Follet's lengthy books).

I enjoy James Patterson's easy to read suspense/thrillers. I can't help but appreciate never being able to solve the mystery on my own. Granted they have become different with other writers doing much of the writing, but once I start one, I can hardly find time to do anything else. Do I think he'll be a household name in 50 - 100 years from now? No. But his novels supply a release from daily problems.

Thanks so much for being with us Patti. Your adventurous life and work ethic are inspiring and your series sounds exciting. To find out more about Patti, visit her website at:

http://www.pattibrooksbooks.com