More About the Author
Sci-fi novelist Patricia Gilliam is the author of the Hannaria Series: Out of the Gray (April 2009), Legacy (Nov 2009), and No Good Deed Goes Unpunished (June 2010). Beginning her career as an online content writer, she has written over 1,000 non-fiction articles and 40 fiction short stories since 2006. She has been a preferred author on Writing.com since 2007, offering free help and resources to the site's community.
Outside of writing, she and her husband Cory are broadcast camera operators for the Christian television show "Power of the Word" in the Knoxville, TN area. In 2009, they adopted a rescue greyhound (racing name Lucius Malfoy) and are active volunteers for the local adoption group.
Book 4 of the Hannaria Series, Something Like the Truth, is now in progress. An updated release date will be posted when available, and rough draft previews are currently available to view on Gather.com.
Childhood Questions
*Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Greeneville, TN but grew up mainly in Kingsport and Blountville, TN. My husband Cory and I moved to Knoxville shortly after we were married in 2005.
*What did you want to be when you grew up?
A lot of things--professional artist was big on my list for a long time, but I had an interest in space/science from writing letters and receiving packages from NASA (my great-aunt worked for them in Florida). I've always liked writing, but I didn't consider it as a way to combine my interests until I was out of college.
*What was your early family life like?
Both of my parents worked for a Magnavox manufacturing factory before I was born, so my younger brother Chris and I grew up surrounded by gadgets. Dad was very inventive in his spare time and even built a remote-control robot once that could vacuum using a dust buster. Mom came home to stay with me after I was born in 1983, and Chris came two years later.
*What was your early school life like?
Because the area we lived was so small, I was able to enter kindergarten at age four (no preschool existed), and our class shared a split room with 2nd graders. While I was supposed to be taking naps, I started paying attention to what the 2nd grade kids were being taught. I believed this helped me later on.
*Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
From watching home videos, I started trying to write "books" (half-folded pieces of copy paper with a cover and one-word interior) when I was about four or five. One was called "Flower," which was followed by the dramatic sequel, "Butterfly."
*How do you think your background has influenced your writing?
I think the way I grew up allowed me to develop a solid work ethic. I understand that success takes effort, and I know to enjoy the process, too.
School Questions:
*What was your favorite subject? What was your least favorite subject?
I really liked creative subjects--art and music being the top two. I've always loved to read, but some of the more mundane/repetitive parts of my English and literature classes actually made them my least favorite subjects at times.
*Did you have a favorite teacher or teachers? What made you like them?
A lot of my elementary and middle school teachers were very encouraging, and that meant a lot to me. My favorite teachers in high school were Mr. Reed (because of how he taught with humor), Mrs. Poe (my creative writing teacher--very encouraging), and Mr. Stephens (also had a great teaching style). I think my interest in any particular subject depended a lot on how it was taught.
*What outside activities were you involved in?
I was in chorus from fifth grade until my freshman year of high school. I thought it was fun to perform as a group. I took theatre my sophomore year, but I didn't pursue it beyond an entry level.
College Questions:
*What was your major? Were you ever undecided?
I ended up double-majoring in psychology and mass communications (broadcasting). I was undecided my entire freshman year.
*What made you choose your major?
With psychology, it was a practical decision in that it was the major with the shortest number of required credit hours. (At the time, I wanted to get out of college in three years instead of four--and an advisor even told me I wouldn't need a minor.) During my junior year however, I was told that I would need a minor to graduate. I choose broadcasting because I thought it would be fun, and by the end of it I liked it so much I decided to double-major.
*What was the best part about college? What was the worst?
I met a lot of great people in college, including my husband. With broadcasting especially, learning was fun--and I developed an interest in both the technical side and talent side of the field.
The worst part of college was getting into a lot of student loan and credit card debt when I could have done it another way. That's why I'm such a big fan of Dave Ramsey and recommend his books to teenagers and anyone trying to get their finances on track.
Career Questions
*When did you first begin writing?
I wrote for fun as a kid, but I didn't start taking it beyond a hobby until late 2006/early 2007.
*How long have you been writing online?
I started writing online for free in December 2006--did that for about a year without realizing there were ways of making income from it. I started making friends with other writers, who referred me to sites like eHow, Helium, oDesk, and others. Once I got comfortable with writing short stories, I made the gradual transition into wanting to do novels.
*When did you write your first novel? How old were you?
I finished Out of the Gray in April of 2009. I was 25 years old.
*Who or what inspired you to write?
I enjoy the whole process of writing, and the encouragement of other online writers helped a lot.
*What made you choose your genre? What make your genre unique?
I choose sci-fi because it has a lot of flexibility. You can bring elements of other genres into it without it causing damage to your overall storyline.
*What jobs have you had outside of writing?
Right out of high school, I worked at a summer program for elementary school students--basically got paid to go on field trips, which was very fun. My freshman and sophomore years of college, I worked at the campus daycare. Since I decided I wasn't going into teaching (an idea that I'd entertained for awhile), I switched my work study job to the broadcasting department my junior year. This meant everything from checking out video camera equipment to holding a boom microphone when a shoot was low on help (this was actually how I met Cory, who was a theatre major at the time). I co-managed the campus radio and TV stations my senior year and helped as a video editing tutor.
Another fun job Cory and I had in college was working at the Bonnie Kate Movie Theatre in Elizabethton, TN. We initially helped with the theatre's remodel (nothing like relieving stress from finals week like taking a sledge hammer to a bathroom), and stayed on until we moved about a year and half later. The owners Cindy and Brian are great, and we try to visit them whenever we're in the area.
Cory and I were married the same week as I graduated from college, and he got a job offer in Knoxville soon after. Before I started considering writing as a viable career option, I worked mainly office-related and sales positions. Once it got to the point where I was making enough money to justify it, I dropped from a full-time job (44+ hours/week) to a part-time job so I could continue to pursue this. I also still run a broadcast camera for our church's television show.
*What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Developing a writing career takes work, but it's worth pursuing if it's your dream. Study the careers of authors you enjoy, and be willing to learn on a regular basis. Have fun, and allow writing to become a natural part of your life.
*What is your current project?
Right now I have two major projects. The first is book four of the Hannaria Series, Something Like the Truth. The second is a regular column on Gather.com called "Novel Writing Tools & Tips." Basically I'm sharing anything I find useful as I research it for myself. This will most likely be organized and expanded into a guide book at some point.
*When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think it was when I started getting feedback for my short stories. It was just a confidence boost of, "Wow, maybe I can do this..."
*Do you have a specific writing style?
For the Hannaria Series, I'm using multiple first-person perspective. This has its advantages and disadvantages, but I enjoy what I'm able to do with it.
*If you had to choose, which author would you consider a mentor?
He's a nonfiction author, but I've probably learned more life skills from Dave Ramsey than any other author I've read. I also got some really great advice from David Baldacci during a Q&A he did a few years ago.
*Name someone or something that supported you outside of family members.
Being a part of two online writing communities--Writing.com and Gather.com--has been invaluable. I think in any field, it's important to have a support network of like-minded people.
*Can you share some of your current work with us?
You can always find updated rough-draft chapters of the Hannaria Series at hannaria.gather.com.
*What has been the toughest criticism ever given to you? What has been the best compliment?
Ironically, they've both been for the same thing. I tend to write very tightly--little to no fluff. I've had the compliant that something needed to be longer, and then had another person thank me for not putting in a lot of filler for no reason.
*Where do you want to take your writing in the future?
I've considered the possibility of expanding the Hannaria Series into graphic novels and possibly film or television. I would like to get a core set of the novels completed however before pursuing that route.
*What dreams have been realized by the results of your writing?
For the past few years, the majority of my writing income has gone towards paying off debt. As of this year, we're going to have everything paid off with the exception of our student loans and our home. That is a good feeling.
Being able to do something I love is a very major dream, and it's life-long. I'm looking forward to being able to help as many other people as I can, too.
*If you could leave your readers with one legacy, what would it be?
Don't give up. Life is precious, and you should spend it in the pursuit of something you love doing.
*What do you think makes a good story?
You have to care about the characters--a story can have a great plot, but if you don't care about the characters it just won't work. From a plot standpoint, I like some element of overcoming either a personal struggle or a very massive set of circumstances. Conflict doesn't have to immediately be resolved.
*Do you see writing as a long-term or short-term career?
Definitely long-term, but I wouldn't mind pairing it with other activities (photography, web design, etc.).
*If you couldn't be an author, what career would you have?
From going to web design conferences with Cory, I think that would be my next choice. There's a lot of creativity involved, and it's challenging.
*What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses as a writer?
I love creating characters and settings--and I feel pretty strong in those areas (although I still try to keep an open mind to learn more). My weak areas are that I tend to write quickly--meaning I have a tendency to make typos and grammar mistakes. I'm building a team of people around me to help me proofread for that reason.
*Where do you see yourself in five years?
I want to branch into speaking and do some traveling related to my books. In five years, it would be fun to be traveling around the country and having the income to do it.
*If there was an author you could meet, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet John Grisham. I was required to read The Street Lawyer in high school, and that sticks out to me as one of the books that made me want to be a writer.
*Are there any occupational hazards to being a novelist?
Eye strain and lack of sleep from writing until 3 or 4 A.M. in the morning. I like to push myself, but there does come a point where rest becomes important.
Work Habits Questions
*What motivates you to write?
It's become habit now, but initially it was just the fun of creating something and getting immediate feedback. I think that's one of the greatest advantages of writing online.
*Do you have a regular writing routine?
I tend to think better at night, but I don't have a specific set of hours or a strict routine.
*How do you manage your time?
I plan on a week-to-week basis. I think it's important to stay flexible, but you do have to make writing a priority if you want to get anything done.
*Is there anything you find challenging about writing?
No matter how much time I have, I find myself wanting more.
*Do you travel a lot?
I haven't done any book tours yet, but I'd like to start on a local/regional level in the near future.
*What was the hardest part of writing your books?
My brain has a tendency to go several chapters ahead of where I'm currently writing, so I have to slow myself down and not rush the process. Doing multiple drafts helps as well.
*Where do you get ideas?
Everywhere. I try to keep either a notebook or my phone (with a notebook app) with me whenever possible. You never know what might trigger a good idea.
*Do you ever experience writer's block? How do you fight it?
I think it happens to everyone at one point or another. I've found that if nothing is coming, step away from the computer and do something else. There's no point in forcing yourself to write something unless you're doing it to establish a habit.
*Do you work with an outline?
I like having a rough outline. It's nothing like the detailed outlines most people are taught in school (Roman numerals, etc.), but I'll do book outlines based on what needs to happen in each chapter or scene. Once you start writing an actual book, this gets modified as you go along. I also keep a series of character profiles for easy reference.
*How do you market your work?
I do online rough-draft previews of my current novel, which usually leads to readers to purchasing previous novels to get caught up on the story. Locally, I have postcards at a local bookstore and keep business cards with me. Next year, I'm planning into branching into radio and conference events.
*What is your overall writing process like?
I spend a lot of time on character and setting development prior to starting a book. This helps the rest of the process flow very smoothly.
*Do you write daily?
Unless something comes up, I write daily for at least 2-3 hours.
*How do you write your rough drafts (laptop, desktop, pen and paper, etc.)?
I'm using a desktop at the moment. When we travel, I use my husband's laptop.
*How do you handle discouragement?
I accept that it's part of the process. I don't ignore or try to repress it, but I try to keep it in perspective.
*How do you approach creating a novel?
Since I've been working on the same series for the past few years, there's a lot more building upon what I've already laid as a foundation. With starting a new novel, I would focus heavily on character development prior to outlining a plot. For me, setting tends to grow naturally as I write, but I've tried to keep detailed records of information I could use in later books. If you do things right, great characters will drive your book forward for you. Then it just becomes a matter of putting them in the right situations/conflicts to make a book interesting.
*Do you have a set formula for setting and character development?
My overall goal is for characters to seem like real people. To do this, you have to know details as a writer that may or may not get passed on to your readers. I use a template system for this. More recently, I've applied the same concept with my setting. It helps keep me organized and saves me time of looking up information in previous books.
*What do you think are the key elements of fiction writing?
Character, setting, plot/conflict, and theme--I think these are the core elements of any story, and there's a lot that can be learned about each of them.
*What resources/books do you think are essential for writers?
I think it's important to have 2-3 basic writing guides (based on your learning style/personality) to give you an overview of skills you need. If you want to write in a particular genre, spend some time reading fiction in that genre as well as any specific writing guides related to it. You don't have to spend a ton of money or buy every writing guide you come across (I actually went through that stage) because at some point you just have to take action and start writing so you can learn from mistakes. As you grow, it becomes more about what you need to know for a particular book or project. Learning is a constant process, and it helps to approach it with an open willingness rather than reach a point where you think you know everything.
*How long does it take you to write a book?
I'm only on my fourth one, but based on the past it looks like between 6 months-a year.
*Do you have any writing quirks?
I occasionally stop for a break and play a few rounds of Angry Birds between chapters. :)
*Do you ever take news/current events and incorporate them into your work?
I try to keep up with current news and politics. Some of it gets incorporated into my books, but it's based on the framework of that particular world.
*Do you ever research legends, myths, history, etc. to get ideas?
Yes. A lot of it I don't end up using, but it's interesting.
Hobby/Interest Questions
*Who and what do you like to read?
I read a wide variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction. While I'm working on a book, I tend to do more browsing just because of a time standpoint.
*Have you ever read a book more than once?
Yes. There's been several, but To Kill a Mockingbird stands out as one of them.
*Do you keep a journal?
I kept one from the time I was about seven until I got into college. It kept me in a habit of writing and was helpful. I might take it up again at some point.
*What books and authors have influenced your life the most?
Dave Ramsey, Dan Miller, Bruce Wilkerson, John Grisham, and a lot of others.
The Bible has had a major impact on me as well. My family didn't go to church often when I was a kid, but I've learned a lot over the past six years.
*What do you do to relax/unwind?
Cory and I like to go to movies. Sometimes I have to make myself relax and just enjoy them, rather than breaking them down from a writer's standpoint as I'm watching.
*Do you personally prefer reading ebooks, paperbacks, or hard cover books?
I like all of them.
Book/Series Questions
*Do you have a favorite character in the Hannaria Series?
Jernard is definitely the most fun to write. Rica Miller is my second favorite, and I intend to bring her and Alex Verin back as narrators in a future book.
*How much research do you do for a book?
I spent a lot of time on character development for this series before I even started the first book. With each book, I've tried to focus my research on keeping everything as authentic and realistic as possible, including researching police procedure and forensics for books two and three. The How-dun-it series of writing guides has been very helpful for that.
*Do you have a book you recommend readers start with?
Out of the Gray is the first book in the series, and I think readers would get the most out of reading them in order.
*What were the challenges of bring your first book to life?
I think the greatest challenge was transitioning from doing short stories (which do have a different set of rules) to doing a full-length novel. A lot of it was trial-and-error, and not everything worked out right the first time I tried it.
*What inspired you to write your first book?
I just wanted to challenge myself to see if I could do it. I liked the characters and thought it would be fun to do something bigger with them.
*How did you come up with the titles for your books?
Out of the Gray came from a line in Rica Miller's introduction. Legacy dealt mainly with the Verin family and how time and several generations had changed them. No Good Deed Goes Unpunished was the name of the original short story that had Jernard and Rhaynan in it (2007), and I wanted to bring it back as one of the novel titles.
*Is there a message behind your novels that you'd like readers to grasp?
I have a lot of imperfect heroes in my series, and I think the overall message is don't give up even if you make major mistakes. There's a lot of themes related to forgiveness and overcoming past circumstances as well.
*How much of the book is realistic?
While it can be considered an alternate reality, I've tried to keep the setting as realistic as possible. Even though many of the alien characters have incredible abilities, they are limited to the point I think it adds to the believability of the story.
*Are any of the books based on personal experiences or events from your life?
One of the characters in the series named Andrew has a battle with cancer that has a major connection to other events in the overall story. Keeping in mind that I started the novel series back in 2009, my younger brother Chris was diagnosed with cancer in April of this year (2011) while I was in the middle of working on Something Like the Truth. I had to stop writing for awhile because some of the scenes--right down to some of the symptoms of the disease--were so close to Chris's situation that it really bothered me. It took me awhile to work through what to do, and I've had discussions with my family about how to move forward on it. Fortunately after a long ordeal of chemotherapy, Chris is currently in remission.
*Is there anything specific you'd like to say to your readers?
Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to explore my series, and I'm grateful to have you.
*If your books were made into movies, who do you picture playing each main part?
I would want to do something similar to what was done with Harry Potter--new actors and actresses that could stay with the series all the way through. I also wouldn't mind going the animated route.
*What does your family think of your books?
They like them, although my mom has said reading about the Liozi gave her nightmares--sorry, Mom!
*Do you have a favorite book so far?
I think I'll always have an attachment to Out of the Gray, just because it's the first book.
*Do you hear from readers much? What do they say?
I get a lot of feedback on Writing.com and Gather.com. Most of it is favorable, so I'm hoping I'm doing something right.
*Which of your characters is most/least like you? Why?
My personality is probably between Rica and Alex--with a dash of Jernard that pops up every once in awhile with something funny. The character least like me is Senator Keller's wife, Beverly--she's just mean and hateful to everyone.
*How important do you think villains are in a story?
Villain are important because they show the strengths and weaknesses of your hero. Without a well-developed villain or set of villains, it's not going to be a great story.
*Do you have a book trailer? What is your opinion of them?
I do not currently have a book trailer but would consider one in the future. I have nothing against them.
Genre Questions
*What is your favorite sci-fi movie or television show?
I really liked Joss Whedon's Firefly and Serenity. Stargate SG-1 was a great series, too.
*What interests you most about sci-fi?
As much as the focus is often on the gadget side of things, sci-fi is a great way to explore human nature. It's a very flexible and entertaining genre.
*Why should fans of sci-fi movies read sci-fi books?
You're able to get more detail out of a book that's almost impossible to duplicate with television or film. There's an interaction between the book and the imagination of readers.
Opinion Questions
*What do you see as the future of the writing industry as a whole?
I've witnessed the major shift from paperbacks to ebooks with my own sales, and I think that's going to continue to trend. I think there's going to be more innovations as tablet/ebook reader technology continues to develop. The potential for more interactive books with expanded extras (much like Blu-Rays and DVDs contain for movies) will probably increase. It's going to be interesting.
*What stereotype about writers do you think is wrong?
I think the stereotype that most authors are introverts is a bit off--I like people, and many of the writers I've met are very social, too.
*What contributes to a writer becoming successful?
Patience ("overnight" success can often take years of hard work) and the willingness to continue learning and growing.
*What are your pet peeves?
I don't like seeing people treated like they have no value--do that to someone in front of me, and I'll lose respect for you no matter what your status.
*What makes you cry?
Situations where I've seen a brilliant/talented person give up on a dream too early.
*What makes you laugh?
Life situations that are too ridicoulous even for fiction.
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