Patricia Sands, Writer of Women’s Fiction

This month we’re catching up with Patricia Sands, who just released The French Effect, a charming women’s fiction book set in — you guessed it — France!

Tell us a little about yourself! What part of the world do you live in? What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

For the past thirty-some years I’ve been a bit of a digital nomad. My husband and I would winter at our home in Florida, spend part of the time at our family home in Toronto, and always went to the south of France for a month or two. We loved our routine.

However, my husband is not able to travel now, and five years ago we moved two hours north of Toronto to a small ski town on Georgian Bay, Collingwood, where we had spent a lot of time through the years. We love living here.

When I’m not writing? Ha! I play tennis every week, ski when there is snow, walk my Goldendoodle grandpup (my therapy dog, LOL), and enjoy time with friends and family. We are a large blended family of seven adult ‘kids’ with assorted partners and nine fabulous grandchildren. I also spend a month in the south of France, usually in September.

What kinds of books or shows do you enjoy?

I enjoy most genres, but favour historical fiction and only read ebooks … on my phone.

What inspired you to start writing fiction? And how did you end up choosing your specific genre(s)?

I’ve never been able to answer this. I have no idea why I began writing in my sixties. My first novel, The Bridge Club, was published in 2010 and is based on my real-life bridge club … but fictionalized. I love writing women’s/book club fiction, as there are endless stories to tell. Since then I have not stopped. Only two of my books are not set in the south of France. My heart lives there, and for ten years I led a women’s tour there each summer based on my books.

What’s your most recently published book? What genre is it, and what’s it about? Is it part of a series?

My thirteenth novel, The French Effect, is a standalone about a fifty-three-year-old novelist, Nora Bennett, a widow, whose daughter is an artist in Paris. Nora goes to Paris to dog-sit her daughter’s neighbour’s Doberman. Stuff happens. The story is set in Montmartre (Paris) in December and ends in Nice on the Côte d’Azur. It’s described as “hopeful and heartwarming.” I loved writing about the holiday season in Paris and Provence too.

What has been the most fulfilling part of being an author?

Without question, connecting with readers and the global writing community. Authors are extremely encouraging to each other and supportive in sharing information and marketing.

Hearing from readers is the best reward for an author. Visiting with book clubs … usually via zoom these days … is also something I love.

Tell us a bit about your process. Do you write every day? At a certain time or place?

I write wherever my laptop happens to be. Which means I can travel and write which is a wonderful combination. If I am working on a novel, I write every day for long hours. Otherwise I will put in a few hours a day on social media, planning and marketing.

What tips do you have for other authors working on their books? Anything you’ve learned that you’d like to share with newer authors?

Believe in yourself and your story. Never stop learning more about your craft. Be involved with your writing community.

What was it like working with Two Birds?

It was a pleasure to have your expertise and I appreciated your quick responses when a question arose. Your schedule was efficient and organized. Thank you!

Where can authors and readers connect with you, and find your books? (Please provide links to your social media, website, or any place you want to share with our readers)

My website: patriciasandsauthor.com — all of my links are there, along with a sign-up link for my occasional newsletter.

I’m on Instagram as psands.stories

And also Facebook.

Is there anything we haven’t asked but that you’d like to add?

Thanks so much for this opportunity. I’m always happy to hear from readers!