Sticks in a Bundle is a trilogy that reveals a history of racial injustice many know little about, as experienced by a young woman trying to understand it herself. Eshile Mthembu, born of Xhosa, Zulu, and Dutch descent, grows up in a Soweto shanty in the heart of South Africa’s apartheid rule.
A Baker’s Dozen For Writers: 13 Tips for Great Storytelling by award-winning author, Pat Spencer. If you seek to free your imagination from its past confines, this writing guide is perfect for you. With wit and charm, Dr. Spencer shares her expertise on how to write bolder,
clearer, and more engagingly.
Review from The BookLife Prize...
The story following Katie's harsh childhood and teenage years is heartrending and absorbing. She is an incredibly strong individual who strives to keep her increasingly smaller family together through untold tragedies and losses. Reading like a memoir, we learn what drives her perseverance . . . and ultimately, resilience. Intriguing descriptions bring the time period to life.
Review from California Writers Circle...
Inspired by true-life events, Golden Boxty in the Frypan is the remarkable coming-of-age saga of a plucky and resourceful young girl who rises against all odds to the role of mother and secures her family’s survival.
Read it now!
In Golden Boxty in the Frypan, Pat Spencer captivates readers with a heartrending and absorbing coming-of-age saga inspired by true events. Her poignant story captures the hearts of readers as they follow Katie's journey through poverty, illness, and discrimination in Philadelphia to a glorious train trip out west in
search of the American dream. But just as she thinks the worst is behind her, a twist of fate reverses her good fortune. Katie must wrestle with her fears, face her insecurities, and assume the role of mother for her three youngest brothers.
Golden Boxty in the Frypan is an unforgettable novel that brings to life the hardships and joys of a multigenerational Irish family struggling to stay together during the Great Depression. Fans of books like This Tender Land and Angela’s Ashes will appreciate the complex characters and themes of love, friendship, and family that make this book an emotional roller coaster. In the end, Katie must overcome the toughest of circumstances and orchestrate an escape from a sinister orphanage to secure a safe life for herself and her siblings. Don’t miss this powerful story of resilience and hope.
Treat yourself to a copy of Golden Boxty in the Frypan today!
A true life ghost story, except for the parts I made up. Follow Phoebe and Pat's adventure to solve a mystery. I'd be honored if you would leave a review.
Darby remembers sitting at the tables at a private L.A. gambling club, but not how she ended up in Ankara, Turkey. Authorities are baffled. Her mother is desperate. She has a plan, but if it fails, her daughter is lost forever.
A Fast-Paced International Thriller
Want to know when Sticks in a Bundle will be available? Interested in what is coming next? Be notified of advance information on future novels and events by clicking below on Drop Me A LIne.
I'll send the Irish Depression Era recipes featured in Golden Boxty in the Frypan.
Email me at spencerp04@verizon.net
Receiving the Short Story Fiction Award from Monica Chapa-Domercq, Principal Librarian, Oceanside Library,
It was an honor to read my short story, Oceanside: A Healing Place to other authors, readers, fans, and friends.
Fellow authors who I thank for their purchase and support of my novel, Story of a Stolen Girl.
Your support of local authors is greatly appreciated!
Dr. Pat Spencer has a lifetime of writing fiction and nonfiction. The Sticks in a Bundle trilogy is her latest work of literary and historical fiction. Golden Boxty in the Frypan was her first historical novel and will be followed in 2025 with the release of her second Irish novel, The Unfortunate Conversation. A Baker’s Dozen: 13 Tips for Great Storytelling is her most recent nonfiction book. She also an international thriller, Story of a Stolen Girl. Her short story, A Healing Place, won Oceanside’s 2019 Literary Festival. Other short stories and craft articles are published in journals such as Literary Yard, Scarlet Leaf Review, Potato Soup Journal, Almost and Author, Vine Leaves Press, and Academy of Heart and Mind, and featured in a California Writers Circle anthology. Pat authored a column in the Press-Enterprisenewspaper and served as a columnist and contributing editor to Inland Empire Magazine.
Pat has lived in three countries, and seven states. She loves to travel and spent time in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Spain, France, Croatia, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Greece, Mexico, the Galapagos, and the Bahamas, as well as Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands and road-tripping across the continental United States several times. She enjoys getting to know people and learning about their culture.
Pat is active in the writing community. She is a member of the California Writers Circle, the Southern California Writers Association, and the Cornwall Writers Circle in New York. She also enjoys teaching workshops at author meetings and writing conferences.
Pat, a retired California Community College faculty member and president, lives in Capistrano Beach. She speaks to organizations on human trafficking and writing processes. When not writing or speaking, she golfs, reads, walks the beach, or hangs out at book clubs and author critique groups, or with family and friends.Dr. Spencer is online at http://patspencer.net, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My father was in the Air Force, so as I child I lived in many different places. My husband and I love to travel. People met on these adventures are a source of characters and plots. Growing up I wanted to be a writer, but in the career guidance class, I learned that very few writers earn enough to pay the rent. So, I went into teaching and on the side, authored columns for The Press-Enterprise and Inland Empire Magazine, as well as publishing a textbook and trade and scholarly articles. I began my academic career as a community college teacher and retired as a college president. I received degrees from Riverside Community College, University of La Verne, and University of California, Riverside. Working on my Doctorate of Philosophy at UCR provided me with experience in empirical research and understanding how human consciousness informs behavior. All this prepared me to write my current novel, international thriller, Story of a Stolen Girl.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Story of a Stolen Girl is my first novel, published July, 2018. I am outraged by those who abuse children and young women and how society turns a blind eye. Through my writing, I hope to shine a light on sexual exploitation and human trafficking. I donate from the sale of this novel to organizations that either fight human trafficking or provide services to the victims.
Every year, 800,000 children, women, and men are trafficked. When those not transported across international borders are included, the number increases to between two and four million people. Approximately, 75-80% of human trafficking is for sex.
Most Americans believe human trafficking is a problem only in poor and underdeveloped countries, too far away to be our concern. However, statistics report over 50,000 slaves in the United States, with another 17,500 being trafficked every year. There has never been a country or time in history when it did not occur. If this book stimulates conversation that makes a difference for any of these children and young women, I am satisfied with its results.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write whenever my characters talk to me. I really like to sleep, so I wish they wouldn’t strike up conversations at four in the morning. But they do.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I prefer books in which ordinary people do extraordinary things. The protagonist of Story of a Stolen Girl does exactly that.
What are you working on now?
I am working on two short stories and a novel with the working title of Tale of Three Sisters. The novel, set in South Africa, delves into love, family bonds, racism, apartheid, kidnapping, and child human trafficking.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In ten years, you will look back and either you did it or you didn’t. Don’t stop. Your dog may die, you may lose your job, or get a divorce or a serious disease. You may have to cut back on the time you spend on what you want to accomplish, but keep going. If you quit, even for a short time, the probability is that you will never come back and finish. (Mark Hansen, Ph.D. advisor)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do public speaking to service organizations and book clubs and have found that effective in promoting Story of a Stolen Girl and awareness of sexual exploitation of children and young women. Also, my website, http://patspencer.net is effective. I have had many compliments on how professional it is even though I did it myself. And I am not a techie.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on two short stories and a novel with the working title of Tale of Three Sisters. The novel, set in South Africa, delves into love, family bonds, racism, apartheid, kidnapping, and child human trafficking.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Blank journals so I could write my next book.
This week it is my pleasure to interview Dr. Pat Spencer. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Pat and share something about your life.
My father was in the Air Force, so as I child I lived in many different places. My husband and I love to travel. People met on these adventures are a source of characters and plots. Growing up I wanted to be a writer, but in the career guidance class I learned that very few writers earn enough to pay the rent. So, I went into teaching and on the side, authored columns for The Press Enterprise and Inland Empire Magazine, as well as publishing a textbook and trade and scholarly articles. I began my academic career as a community college teacher and retired as a college president. I received degrees from Riverside Community College, University of La Verne, and University of California, Riverside. Working on my Doctorate of Philosophy at UCR provided me with experience in empirical research and understanding how the human consciousness informs behaviour. All this prepared me to write my current novel, international thriller, Story of a Stolen Girl.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
Story of a Stolen Girl is my first novel, published July, 2018. I am outraged by those who abuse children and young women and how society turns a blind eye. Through my writing, I hope to shine a light on sexual exploitation and human trafficking. I donate from the sale of this novel to organizations that either fight human trafficking or provide services to the victims.
Every year, 800,000 children, women, and men are trafficked. When those not transported across international borders are included, the number increases to between two and four million people. Approximately, 75-80% of human trafficking is for sex.
Most Americans believe human trafficking is a problem only in poor and underdeveloped countries, too far away to be our concern. However, statistics report over 50,000 slaves in the United States, with another 17,500 being trafficked every year. There has never been a country or time in history when it did not occur. If this book stimulates conversation that makes a difference for any of these children and young women, I am satisfied with its results.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I both read and write across genres. My first novel, Story of a Stolen Girl, is an international thriller. My second, still in development, is a bit of a genre mashup.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and collect ideas on paper beforehand?
I let the concept and the characters ramble around in my head for a year or more while I do my research. Second, I write the jacket blurb. Then I open a new document on my laptop and start writing. I write whenever my characters talk to me. I really like to sleep, so I wish they wouldn’t strike up conversations at four in the morning. But they do.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
Story of a Stolen Girl--A door slammed and reverberated like a gunshot through a tunnel. Darby pulled her knees up, hugged them to her chest. When the vibration spent its energy and fell silent to the floor, she opened one eye, a tiny slit, to a room engulfed in darkness. She thought she called out, but no sound escaped her lips. In the distance, muffled voices…men…talking, laughing. She strained to hear what they were saying. They weren’t speaking English. Their accent was familiar, not Spanish, maybe Middle Eastern, but she didn’t comprehend a single word.
Struggling to turn toward the voices, her body convulsed. Darby couldn’t tell whether from fear or cold. She covered her mouth as heavy footsteps moved her way. She prayed they wouldn’t hear her whimper.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Mothers tell me they would go to hell and back to save their child. Nina Richards is my favorite character because in Story of a Stolen Girl, she does exactly that.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Working on the book I am now writing is my favorite thing to do. I think that is because Tale of Three Sisters is so different than anything I have written before.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
I do not have a grip on marketing at all. Every tip I have received is jumbled up in my mind, and since I would rather write than market, I am not making much progress on straightening it out in my brain. The piece of marketing that makes me feel good about what I do is to speak to service organizations, book clubs, parents and educators on the topic of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
How would you describe yourself?
Creative, funny, happy, active, driven, emotional. Passionate about the cause to fight child exploitation.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
Golfing, reading, walking on the beach, or hanging out at book clubs or with family and friends. And during all of this, when I am not writing, I am thinking about writing.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Anywhere by the sea.
Anywhere by the sea.
I look for a strong plot and characters that rise off the page. I want a book that I can learn from. When I select a book, I read the jacket blurb and the first page. If I like it, I buy it. I belong to two book clubs so much of my reading time is spent on the books we decide on as a group.
Yes. http://patspencer.net. I am also on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
I am working on two short stories and a novel with the working title of Tale of Three Sisters. The novel, set in South Africa, delves into love, family bonds, racism, apartheid, kidnapping, and child human trafficking.
When my short stories are complete, I will offer them for free on Amazon and to those who have signed up for my email list. If you would like a copy, either write to me at spencerp04@verizon.net or sign up on my website, https://patspencer.net
Welcome, Pat! Shark diving, bungee jumping, or skydiving?
Shark diving in the Bahamas. Our guide threw out a bucket of dead bloody fish and the sharks came. He told us to stay on the surface and hold fairly still, no flopping around. Most importantly, our guide said, “When I say to get out, do it now!” As we marveled at the sharks below, a bloom of small brown thimble jellyfish floated around us. Guess what? I didn’t get bit by a shark, but those jellyfish, they sting! Our guide said not to worry, the itch would only last a few days. His assistant pointed to brown circular scars (looked a lot like ringworm) that covered his arms, legs, and chest and said, “See, mine don’t itch anymore.”
Oh, my! Don’t touch the jellyfish! What superpower would you like to have for a day?
The power to talk to God. I have a question. I understand that God helps those who help themselves. But who helps those who can’t help themselves? Wo/man is not doing a decent job of this, so shouldn’t s/he be doing it?
What an interesting concept! Do you prefer the movie or the book?
I prefer the book, but I like to read the book first then see the movie. I enjoy comparing and knowing things from the book that were left out of the movie.
So do I! Are you on the dance floor or a wallflower?
In all things, dance like nobody is watching.
The best advice ever! Do you believe in aliens?
Oh, my yes. How can one not believe? Within the googolplexian of square feet in space, I can’t imagine we are the only ones.
That’s a lot of space to fill! Would you rather fly on a dragon or meet a mermaid?
Fly on a dragon. Even though I live at the beach, snorkel, paddleboard, and kayak, I am not much of a swimmer. I’m more of a sinker. Would like to feel the wind in my face, my hair blowing back, as my dragon dives and swirls to show me the world from up so high I can’t see all the trash left by humans.
Someday if you find yourself sinking, maybe a mermaid will save you! What’s the most marvelous thing you have ever seen with your own eyes?
I am fortunate to have seen many marvelous things. As any parent, far and above is the first time I looked into the eyes of my newborn son and then years later, his daughter.
In nature, I have seen two most marvelous things. First is the Aura Borealis in Newfoundland, Canada. (Yes, I lived there for 2 ½ years). Most photos show the auras as shades of green and blue. Photos don’t do it justice. The one I witnessed was a wonderful cosmic blend of purples and blues with only touches of green. But its movement is what makes it profound. If spirits do rise above the earth, I am positive the Aura Borealis is them, arms linked as good friends, soaring overhead.
The second most marvelous thing appeared on a safari in South Africa. We stopped to watch a small group of elephants with a single calf standing at the side of a dirt path. As we waited to give them the right-a-way to walk in whichever direction they chose, we spotted two giraffes peeking out over the top of a tree. We whispered, “How can nature watching get any better than this?” Then three lions slipped out of the bush and walked in front of our jeep. They ignored us, the giraffes, and the elephants. They were on their way to the watering hole. Absolutely marvelous.
What an experience! Thank you, Pat, for giving us this experience!
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