Patricia Gligor, Author of Mixed Messages



Marilyn, thanks for inviting me to be here today. 

I’ve always been an avid reader of mystery/suspense novels and I’ve written many short stories through the years. I did attempt two novels prior to Mixed Messages but I lost interest in the characters and the plot before I came close to finishing either novel. My dream had always been to be a published novelist but I was beginning to wonder if that would ever happen. The thought of sustaining a story for seventy-five to eighty thousand words intimidated me!

Then, one day, shortly after I’d moved into a new apartment, I went for a walk in the neighborhood and spotted an old Victorian. I remember standing there, gazing up at the house, captivated. I’ve always loved old houses; they have so much character. Every old house has a history; people have lived there and, in many cases, died there. I never missed an episode of the show, “If Walls Could Talk,” when it was on TV. The stories of the people who had lived in those homes fascinated me. As I looked up at the Victorian, I found myself wondering what those walls would say if they could talk. 

Intrigued, I wanted to find out more about the house and the area so I went to the Cincinnati Historical Society and immersed myself in research. Little by little, I began to come up with plot ideas and possible scenarios. The people who would live in the house and in the neighborhood, the characters for my book, came to me gradually. I drew upon my own life experiences and I took bits and pieces of the lives of people I knew or had read or heard about. A physical characteristic here; a personality trait there. I jotted those ideas down on scraps of paper and it wasn’t long before I had a huge pile, which eventually became a chapter by chapter outline. 

I fictionalized the house in my mind and on paper to fit the story I wanted to tell, which
had slowly evolved. I constantly asked myself questions. What if, in the midst of my main character’s personal struggles, a serial killer is on the loose? What if she has reason to believe he’s after her? 

I got so involved in the lives of my characters that, not only did I manage to sustain the story to complete Mixed Messages, but my characters wouldn’t let me stop there; they had so much more to say and do! As a result, I’ve written the second book for my Malone mystery series and I have no intention of stopping there. My characters won’t let me!

Blurb for Mixed Messages

It’s estimated that there are at least twenty to thirty active serial killers in the United States at any given time. There’s one on the loose on the west side of Cincinnati.

It’s the week of Halloween and Ann Kern struggles with several issues. Her primary concern is her marriage which, like her west side neighborhood, is in jeopardy. Her husband is drinking heavily and his behavior toward her is erratic. One minute, he’s the kind, loving man she married and, the next minute, he’s cold and cruel.

Ann dismisses a psychic’s warning that she is in danger. But, when she receives a series of ominous biblical quotes, she grows nervous and suspicious of everyone, including her own husband.

As the bizarre and frightening events unfold, Ann discovers a handmade tombstone marked with her name, pushing her close to the edge. Will she be the Westwood Strangler’s next victim?

Patricia’s Bio

Patricia Gligor lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling, especially to the ocean to see lighthouses. She has worked as an administrative assistant, the sole proprietor of a résumé writing service and the manager of a sporting goods department for a local retail chain but her passion has always been writing fiction. Mixed Messages, the first
novel in her Malone Mystery Series, will be available on April 17th at Amazon.com and postmortem-press.com in both print and kindle versions.

Comments

Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I am so happy to have Patricia visiting today. We've become friends because of the Internet.

Marilyn
Theresa Varela said…
Great post. I've always loved the idea of the "goings on" in strange houses. Standing outside and making up stories sounds delightful. Looking forward to your book, Patricia.
Thanks, Theresa! I still have trouble believing that this is really happening. Someone, (preferably Harrison Ford) please pinch me!
jenny milchman said…
I can definitely relate to being inspired by a house! So mysterious, such possibilities for intrigue.
Thanks for stopping by, Jenny. You're absolutely right: so many possibilities for intrigue in old houses!
Marja said…
I used to watch If Walls Could Talk, too. Great show, and I can see how it might be an inspiration. After reading your blurb, I can't wait to read the book.

Great blog!
Marja,
Thank you! I can't wait for you to read my book either. :)

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