Author Interview: Patricia M. Osborne

Today I am pleased to welcome Patricia M. Osborne on to the blog with a quick interview! She’s come up with some fascinating answers!

Q&A

What is your favourite thing about writing books?
My favourite thing about writing is deciding, who I am, where my destination is and what time era I want to be in and then losing myself into my fictional world.

Who is your favourite character in your book and why?
My favourite character in my debut novel, House of Grace, A Family Saga, is Grace because she tries hard to stay strong, no matter what life trials are sent.

In my work in progress, The Coal Miner’s Son, it’s George, a nine-year-old who comes to terms with loss. He grows from a kind, gentle boy to a young man of determination and grit.

What is your favourite drink to consume while writing?
Water I’m afraid. Not very adventurous but I need to keep hydrated while writing and water is the best for that.

Do you have any bad habits while you’re writing?
Staying sat too long at the desk is my worst habit. I lose myself in writing and forget the time and then end up with a bad back and shoulders. Of course, on a bad day, Facebook can become a distraction.

How do you research your books?
The internet is fabulous for research, along with books and people. I also visit National Trust properties, these are particularly great for researching the House of Grace series.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A bit of both probably. I plot to a certain extent. I like to know where I’m going for the first few chapters and I like to know the end. In-between it’s quite often made up as I go along although always subject to change, including the planned chapters.

If you could live in any fictional world, which would you choose and why?
I’d like to step into Downton Abbey, although I wouldn’t want to be a servant. More someone like Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, because she’s a strong character and stands up to her husband.

If you could befriend any fictional character, who would you choose and why?
I’d choose Uhtred of Bebbanburg from the Last Kingdom because he’s sexy and gorgeous. I wouldn’t want to live in those times though as I might end up with my head on a stick.

About the book

It’s 1950 and all sixteen-year-old Grace Granville has ever wanted is to become a successful dress designer. She dreams of owning her own fashion house and spends her spare time sketching outfits. Her father, Lord Granville, sees this frivolous activity as nonsense and wants to groom her into a good wife for someone of his choosing…

Grace is about to leave Greenemere, a boarding school in Brighton. She’s blissfully unaware of her father’s plans when she embarks on a new adventure. The quest includes a trip to Bolton’s Palais where she meets coal miner, Jack Gilmore. Grace’s life is never the same again.

Travel with Grace through two decades as she struggles with family conflict, poverty and tragedy. Is Grace strong enough to defy Lord Granville’s wishes and find true love? Will she become a successful fashion designer? Where will she turn for help?

About the Author

Patricia M Osborne was born in Liverpool and spent time in Bolton as a child. She now lives in West Sussex. Apart from novel writing, Patricia writes poetry and short fiction. Her poetry and short stories have been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. She is studying for an MA in Creative Writing with University of Brighton. House of Grace is her first novel.