Interview with Pat Ritter

Published 2014-12-03.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
My teenage years were in Sandgate, a seaside suburb of Brisbane the capital city of Queensland Australia. In sub-junior I attended Sandgate High School. A teacher, Mr Imoff, our English Teacher after we wrote a composition approached me and said, 'you have a gift for writing - you write the way you speak which is unique'. Unfortunately at the time I never had any idea of what he meant.

Again later in my life when I attended college a lecturer told me exactly the same words. I didn't truly understand what he meant. However, with this lecturer we wrote and published my first book 'Closing The Gap' which started my journey of becoming an author.
When did you first start writing?
In 1986. At the time I attended college - my lecturer, Bob O'Sullivan took notice of a project I began when I used material from his lecture in this project. I was a police officer. In the area I patrolled, a number of teengers 'ran away from home' and I didn't have the skills nor the knowledge of stopping them.

Bob lectured in a subject 'Behaviour' which gave me these skills and knowledge and soon after I developed this knowledge to help parents improve their communication with their teenage child. This project was an instant success. Bob suggested we write and publish a book about what I was doing in the community. He wrote the theory whilst I wrote the actual case studies of each parent-child interview.
What's the story behind your latest book?
'Click Go The Shears' is a follow on from 'The Shearer' when the ending saw Joe Ryan change identities with Joe Gibson. A little confusing for readings because of the two Joe's.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Before 2009 I self-published books and sold them via my website using mailing coupons. When Mark Coker introduced me to Smashwords I immediately commenced to publish my books as ebooks and became an indie author. Since 2009 - the rest is history. I love it. All I need to do now is to write, publish, market and sell.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Greatly. Daily I check for downloads, site updates. On one of these occasions Mark wrote about an author in America earning six figures annually selling ebooks on Smashwords. I read this person's website and immediately followed his advise.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Reading feedback from my readers. Who would think I sit here at Brooloo in Queensland at my computer and communicate with authors across the other side of the world. It's as if we sit across from one another. I love to write - I write each day. I belong to a writers group which meet weekly.
What do your fans mean to you?
Greatest! There is no better feeling when I receive feedback or read a review from one of my books. A couple of years ago I wrote and published 'The Drover' which has been a huge success. I still pinch myself to think people from across the globe love reading this book.
What are you working on next?
I love to write true stories about Australian history. My book next year is about George Burtenshaw who sadly passed away earlier this year aged 102 and a half years. His life story is one which needs to be recorded not only for history but to show how one person overcome tragic suffering under the hands of the Japanese during his imprisonment in World War 11 in Changi for four years.
Who are your favorite authors?
JD Nixon.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Knowing I want to write. I write a novel per year and a 500 word story weekly. Research takes much of my time to 'get things right'. I love to write.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Watch television. Read. Take care of my property. Travel.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Using Smashwords, Amazon, Facebook and my website www.patritter.com.au
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes - in grade four. The exercise to write was about describing a scene. I wrote a letter to my grandmother to tell her what I was doing. It was read to the class to my embarrassment.
What is your writing process?
I write whatever comes into my mind. I'm lucky I live in the country without any interruptions or neighbours. Bush is all around me. Before I write a chapter I see and act out the scene of what I'm about to write. For instance in my latest novel I have a scene where Joe leaves the place he loves. Each step of the process goes through my mind before I write then I write the scene.

I write daily.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Yes - it was a story of an aboriginal boy who is saved by a sailor shipwrecked on a reef. Only a couple of years ago I purchased this book at a sale and re-read it. Memory flooded back of the joy I had when first reading this book.
How do you approach cover design?
I have a professional designer in America. Melissa does a wonderful job.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
These change from time to time. Once I read probably two books per year but since I've taken my writing seriously I am an avid reader. I can't say I have favourite books because now I read up to possibly two to three books per week. I am amazed at some of the indie authors which in my opinion are some of the best in the world. With ebooks - if I don't like the author, I delete them and read the next book. If the book doesn't catch my attendion in the first few pages than I go to the next one. That's how it is in todays environment.
What do you read for pleasure?
Mainly western, Australian, romance and at times crime depending on the storyline.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Smashwords, Amazon and Facebook
Describe your desk
Computer desk grey in colour; monitor on top shelf; keyboard on bottom shelf, printer next to monitor, computer on floor beside desk.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Latest books by This Author

Outback Australia Series - Book One
Series: Outback Australia. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 120,090. Language: Australian English. Published: November 15, 2023 . Categories: Essay » Literature
Three books for the price of one. I discovered this idea worked for readers.
Build an Empire
Series: Outback Australia. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 32,150. Language: Australian English. Published: July 25, 2022 . Categories: Essay » Author profile
1909: An Australian legend in Cattle King Sidney Kidman continued his dream to expand his cattle empire. When I researched this story Sir Sidney Kidman’s life came alive. An Australian legend in his own right. In 1909 Henry Ford exported his motor vehicles to Australia.
Build a Nation
Series: Outback Australia. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 40,720. Language: English. Published: December 5, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Inspirational
1908: Australia commenced to build a nation. Wool became a major commodity in south western Queensland. Australia built on the sheep’s back. Nat Young purchased sheep properties in south-western Queensland west of Cunnamulla a decade before in hope Founding Fathers: Treasure House of a Nation’s Heart located to his area.
The Bush Detective
Series: Outback Australia. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 40,100. Language: English. Published: November 25, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Alternative history, Fiction » Western
‘The Bush Detective’ ‘The Bush Detective’ is the sixth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. This is set in 1907. Catherine Smith, wife of Herbert Smith, a hawker residing at Tego Springs, near Cunnamulla has been murdered. The Smiths were on friendly terms with a man named James Brokenborough, who stayed with them when he was out of work.
Important Omr Stories
Series: Stories Written at Pomona Writers Group. Price: Free! Words: 19,260. Language: English. Published: October 11, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Educational, Fiction » Biographical
Each week in 2019 I attended the Pomona Writers Group. The facilitator asked us to write a story about a topic he chose. These stories less than 500 words are OMR (One Minute Read). I hope you enjoy reading each one. I want to express my gratitude to Melissa Smith. Thank you for doing a great job of the cover. If you want Melissa to create your next cover, I highly recommend you do.
Hopeful - Omr - Stories
Series: Stories Written at Pomona Writers Group. Price: Free! Words: 22,610. Language: English. Published: December 30, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories
Each week in 2018 I attended the Pomona Writers Group. The facilitator asked us to write a story about a topic he chose. These stories less than 500 words are OMR (One Minute Read). I hope you enjoy reading each one. I want to express my gratitude to Melissa Smith. Thank you for doing a great job of the cover. If you want Melissa to create your next cover, I highly recommend you do. If you have
The Suffragette
Series: Outback Australia. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 40,850. Language: English. Published: November 28, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » Australia & New Zealand
‘The Suffragette’ is the fifth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. This is set between 1903-1905. Women weren’t permitted to vote. Margaret Wallace, Principal at Cunnamulla State School decided to make a difference. With help from The Honourable Joseph Ryan, Esquire, MLA they worked together to ensure women in Queensland empowered the government of the day to pass legislation for women to vote.
Greatest (Omr) stories
Series: Stories Written at Pomona Writers Group. Price: Free! Words: 24,210. Language: English. Published: December 9, 2017 . Categories: Essay » Literature
Weekly I attend Pomona Writers Group. The facilitator gives us a topic to write for the following week. These are the topics he choses.
The Year That Never Was
Series: Outback Australia. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 32,620. Language: English. Published: November 11, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » Australia & New Zealand, Fiction » Inspirational
AUTHORS NOTE: Fourth in this 'Outback Australia' series from 1899 to 1902 in Australian history. Australians fought in the Boer War in South Africa. Federation of our nation. Two great events in our history during this period. Although this book is fictional many of the events are true in our history. Each character is created from my imagination.
Fantastic (Omr) stories
Series: Stories Written at Pomona Writers Group. Price: Free! Words: 24,230. Language: English. Published: December 17, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Inspirational
Each week in 2016 I attended the Pomona Writers Group. The facilitator asked us to write a story about a topic he chose. These stories less than 500 words are OMR (One Minute Read). I hope you enjoy reading each one.
View their profile to see all of their books