Interview with Teresa D. Patterson

Published 2014-07-15.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a rural part of Arkansas. I've used my own experiences of being chased by geese in some of my story lines. I can describe a country dirt road because I've actually lived at the end of one.
When did you first start writing?
I began writing at the age of ten. As a fifth grader, I became the most popular writer in my class. The teacher would pass around a sheet of paper with a variety of titles written down. We'd have to select a title, write a story, and read it in front of the class.
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book is Unpretty Secrets and the story behind it is trying to keep a horrible secret buried. Secrets are a bit like lies. You have to keep coming up with different ways to keep them hidden.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
It's a great deal of hard work, but I love the control I have. When I made up my mind that I could actually do it all myself, that's when I decided to become an indie author.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has definitely helped me sell more Ebooks. It's helped with visibility, as well.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy of writing to me is that I'm able to do it full-time. I love creating interesting characters and being able to entertain, motivate and even inspire readers. It's the best feeling.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans me the world to me. I love my fans. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be able to do this, and for that I appreciate them all the more.
What are you working on next?
I am working on a romance novel, Soul on Fire.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I'm also a freelance proofreader. When I'm not writing, I'm working on helping others to improve their writing. I also have a two year old toddler who keeps me pretty busy chasing after him and tending to his needs. I can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I'm on Facebook and Twitter frequently. I see posts daily about ebooks. If they catch my interest, I'll 1-click them.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. It was called A Cry in the Night, and I wrote it during fifth grade.
What is your writing process?
I usually begin with a title and go from there.
How do you approach cover design?
I have a cover designer that I use. However, at times I create my own using a software program called Book Cover Pro.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I have a Kindle, but I also read on my Android.
What do you read for pleasure?
I read novels written by other indie authors because I believe in supporting other independent authors. I enjoy a variety of genres.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Latest books by This Author

Food Stamp Divas
You set the price! Words: 40,560. Language: English. Published: November 29, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » Contemporary woman, Fiction » African American fiction » Urban life
Uncover the untold stories of love, addiction, and hidden desires in Food Stamp Divas. Life in the city has never been so raw. Are you ready for the urban saga that will keep you turning pages?
Ex-boyfriend 2
Series: Ex-boyfriend. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 31,220. Language: English. Published: May 23, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » General
You should be able to murder someone and expect them to stay dead, right? In Ex-boyfriend 2, Terrence James discovers that sometimes the dead don’t stay in the grave. Is his mind playing tricks or is someone out to get him?
Writer's Island
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 29,950. Language: English. Published: December 26, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » General
When Dontè Hardy is told he’ll have to co-write with New York Times bestselling author, Edmond Thompson, he almost walks out. A pending foreclosure, mounting bills, and authors screaming to be paid royalties is reason enough for him to stay the course. His only concern is making it through 30 days living on a secluded island without killing his ex favorite author. Will he survive Writer’s Island?
All of Me Loves All of You
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 23,070. Language: English. Published: April 3, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » General, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
She wanted to learn pole-dancing to lose weight. He fell in love with her for the beautiful woman she was on the inside.
Wolf in the Pulpit
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 38,330. Language: English. Published: June 17, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » Urban life
When Pastor Gregory Dunbar takes over the church and renames it Bullet Proof Baptist, he has the parishioners eating out of his hands. Unbeknownst to them those hands are really the deceptive paws of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Gregory Dunbar could care less about saving souls. He’s wanted for a double homicide, but this wolf in the pulpit is determined to never get caught!
Pipe Dreams
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 66,420. Language: English. Published: April 19, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » Urban life, Fiction » African American fiction » General
Sometimes, life doesn’t deliver a happily ever after… In Pipe Dreams two urban youth get pulled into the drug game. One leaves it alone forever, but the other is lured back because of the fast money and material possessions that seem to come so easily. In this story, you will witness how the greed for money will sever a friendship and see how fast pipe dreams quickly turn into nightmares.
His Insignificant Son
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 6,150. Language: English. Published: November 7, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » General
A young teen tries to honor his mother’s dying request and get to know his absentee father. Can he forgive a man who was never there, whose absence made him feel insignificant for most of his life?
Soul on Fire
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 38,270. Language: English. Published: November 3, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Cherika Daniels finds herself driving down a country, dirt road searching for an address that seems impossible to find in a rural Arkansas town. She finally arrives at the Prewitt’s place to hear the reading of her paternal grandmother’s last Will and Testament. After a face-off with her estranged relatives, Cherika is highly irritated and flustered. To her dismay, she ends up swooning and faints.
Raggedy Ann
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 7,100. Language: English. Published: November 3, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » African American fiction » Urban life
Annie Mitchell was born behind a dumpster, the offspring of a crack head mother and a small time pimp. She was left to die on a cold December night, but God--or the devil--had other plans for her.
Under the Oak Tree
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 25,190. Language: English. Published: May 31, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » General
Two families dealing with alcoholism connect because of their issues.
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