Patricia Crandall

ABOUT

Location

Petersburgh, New York

Born	Bennington, Vermont

Gender

Female

Member

Standard

Joined

May 2008

Interests

Everything to do with reading and writing

Check out my Facebook Author Page: pcrandall123@yahoo.com and/or join my blog: http://authorpcrandall.blogspot.com/

I was born in Bennington, Vermont. In my early years, my family moved often as my father was a purchasing agent for General Cable Corp. Whereby, we lived in Rhode Island, New Jersey, Vermont and New York.

Presently, I live with my husband, Art, at Babcock Lake in the Grafton Mountains near Petersburgh, New York. My daughter and her family live nearby. Also living near us is our son. I have two granddaughters and one grandson. I devote time to my family, writing and community work. I enjoy reading, skiing, golfing, knitting, walking/hiking, swimming, exercising and traveling.

I have a vast number of poetry/haiku, numerous articles and short stories published in many small press magazines and a variety of newspapers. I have won many poetry awards and have two books in print, Melrose, Then and Now, a historical volume and I Passed This Way, containing poetry.

I am currently working on several mystery-crime stories, a series of contemporary/family short fiction and novels. I put aside whatever free time I have for writing.

My feelings as a poet have affected my role as a mother by allowing me to capture in poetry the formative years of my children. These poems are snapshots in words. Whenever I read them, I see my children as they were during that moment in time.

I like to write mysteries because I like to read mystery stories. It all began with the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene when I was a pre-teen in the 1950's. Each holiday, I would request the latest Nancy Drew title and upon receiving it, I would curl-up in an oversized chair and begin reading the fast-paced adventure. Prior to that time, I was hooked on the Bobbsey Twins.

My first effort at writing a mystery story detailed a long, frightening chase by a sinister man. A dark tunnel appeared, leading to (of course) a haunted mansion. The not-so-brilliant ending had me saved by the man of my life at the time my father.

As a writer, I find Agatha Christie an excellent study, particularly in developing characters, descriptive scenes and her exceptional talent attributed to writing a variety of books including original mystery plays, romantic novels, a memoir of archaeological expeditions in Syria, poetry and her area of expertise, plotting mysteries.

As well as Agatha Christie, I like to write in the style of Mary Higgins Clark and the outstanding, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Even though I like to read the fast-paced, violently descriptive, James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell novels, I am not comfortable writing in that mode.

Other authors I enjoy for fast-paced escapism, indescribable evil, and a thirst for justice are: Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia Cornwell, Anne Perry, James Patterson, Nelson DeMille, Iris Johansen, Michael Palmer, Elmore Leonard, P.D. James, Peter Tremayne, Ann Rule, and Steve Martini. Their stories are at once gripping and have great visual images of heroes/heroines, whether they are common folk, forensic pathologists, Victorian sleuths, a Celtic nun, medical doctor, or a lawyer.

To tone down the pace, I like the company of Lilian Jackson Braun and her wonderful character, Jim Qwilleran and his intelligent Siamese, Koko and Yum Yum; Mave Binchy's Irish settings, and the humor, wisdom and justice in Dick Francis racing scenarios. I cannot omit the exceptional book, Alive, by Piers Paul Read, and Jan Karons Mitford novels where place and time stand still.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Once Upon A Winter Walk reached "Recognized" status.

Lady With Binoculars finished first in the contest "The Wrong Move"

Tale of the Ocean finished second in the contest "Story Poem"

The Lodge at Turning Stone finished third in the contest "5-7-5"

Growing Up (while stargazing) finished third in the contest "The Good Old Days"

No Longer A Child reached "Recognized" status.

A Recycled Body finished third in the contest "Best Served Cold"

To Mother With Love reached "Recognized" status.

6 of 13 fans		View All
DonandVicki	Sunshine D. McGrath	Jay Squires
Dustybones	ScarBundy	KyColonel Randal

4 writers		View All
Rainster	KyColonel Randal	rtobaygo
adewpearl

Patricia Crandall

Browse Now