Books by Patricia Hickman

Achy Breaky Seasons

A season of trials brings, yes, aches and grief to the soul. But nothing can stop the troublesome days from falling away like autumn leaves. That is how the Creator brings newness to our souls. That is his wondrous plan.

My Blog is Moving

I'm really excited about two things, one being the cover art for The Pirate Queen is just about ready to show everyone. Secondly, my new website is nearly finished. So in the coming week or so, when you visit patriciahickman.com you'll be directed to the new website. There you'll be able to catch up news about my books and appearances. You can sign up for Twitter and FaceBook. I'm having a trailer made The Pirate Queen. And I'm going to be trying out podcasts. Please continue paying me visits so you can join in on upcoming contests. And, of course, I'll keep posting those daily thoughts that some of you have expressed you like to read. Since I love to write and you love to read, it's a perfect relationship!

Permission to Rest

I gave myself permission to sleep one extra hour this a.m.I've been driving myself to a distracted state--not healthy for the writing neurons. I lay in bed, white clouds and sunlight playing through the blinds. I thought how amazing it is that when I'm at rest,God is still at work. Have you given yourself permission to rest? It's a blessed state of trust.

Patty in Your Neighborhood

Patty is a speaker and author and may be coming to your neighborhood. Here are her next scheduled events:
July 18
Souderton, PA
"Painted Dresses"

Sept. 21-22
Wilkesboro, NC
"The Call to Write

Hurdle Jumping

 

The rules of competition do not allow us to walk away from hurdles or fishtail around them. You have to jump. It's in that breathtaking, heart-pounding moment you do the impossible--live for the moment in midair. But before you can fly, you must have the courage to fall. P. Hickman

Reflections on a Traffic Jam

When stuck in a traffic jam, the Interstate bleeding human souls in every direction, stop and count each life as it surrounds you in that halted state of forced observance. Count each life for its worth and your connection to that worth. Remember your small plac e on that blessed strip of highway; be grateful you were made to stop and remember why it's easier to recall life's imperfect moments. P. Hickman

Questions Actually Asked at Libraries

Here is a list of questions asked at libraries, a sad but funny statement on literacy in this country:

~ "Do you have books here?"

~ "Do you have a list of all the books written in the English language?"

~ "Do you have a list of all the books I've ever read?"

~ "I'm looking for Robert James Waller's book, 'Waltzing through Grand
Rapids.'" (Actual title wanted: "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend.")

~ "Do you have that book by Rushdie: 'Satanic Nurses'?" (Actual title:
"Satanic Verses")

~ "Where is the reference desk?" (This was asked of a person sitting at a
desk who had, hanging above her head, a sign saying "REFERENCE DESK"!)

~ "I was here about three weeks ago looking at a cookbook that cost $39.95.
Do you know which one it is?"

~ "Which outlets in the library are appropriate for my hair dryer?"

~ "Can you tell me why so many famous Civil War battles were fought on
National Park sites?"

~ "Do you have any books with photographs of dinosaurs?"

~ "I need a color photograph of Socrates."

~ "I need a photocopy of Booker T. Washington's birth certificate.

"

~ "I need to find out Ibid's first name for my bibliography."

~ "Why don't you have any books by Ibid? He's written a lot of important
stuff."

~ "Is the basement upstairs?" (Asked at first floor reference desk)

~ "I am looking for a list of laws that I can break that would send me back
to jail for a couple of months."

Five Reasons Why You Should Write

I can't tell you how many emerging writers I've met with at conferences who told me that they had taken their beloved work-in-progress and hid it under the bed. Today, I'm posting five reasons why you should pull out that manuscript and give it another chance. Your readership is waiting.

1. Your opinions will be disciplined by the structures and responsibilities of writing for publication.

2. Therefore, writing will make you smarter. (and your opinions more finely honed.)

3. Your attitude will improve because writing makes you more of a thinker and less likely to broadly criticize. Now you know why you see writers smiling.

4. You will be more fulfilled and less frustrated as your words are tamed into clarity and sound reason.

5. Someone besides your grandmother, bar friends, or Sunday school friends will read what you write and that will encourage you to keep writing.

The world is waiting. What are you waiting for? Pull that manuscript back out into the light of day and give it breath.

Welcome to Stories of Hearth, Home, and Havoc

If you've been a frequent visitor to Words to Go, welcome to my new blog. Here I hope to provide you with more interactive information about my books and author appearances. I will try to add podcasts soon and lots more info! Thanks for your patience as I migrate my readers to this new cyber address.