You all know Pat Hatt and his cats?
But do you know Patrick Hatt - mystery writer?
Well, he's here today to discuss one of his latest releases!
MURDER HAS A PRICE
Welcome Pat!
1.
Can you tell your readers something about why you
chose this particular topic to write about? What appealed to you about it? Why
do you think it is different, and your approach is unique?
The
main reason I started as the idea popped in and then I just started writing it.
Plus I wanted to explore other genres a bit and write a one off book. Whereas
some other books I’ve written had sequels this one was more a one and done with
the door left open a crack. As I’ve always got ideas. So that was the appealing
nature, just trying something new. I think it’s different as it’s more go go go
and the main character isn’t worried about being a detective or following any
rules but his own. He has his goal and everything else be damned.
2.
How long do you think
about a topic before deciding to write about it? Do you have a set of notes or
a notebook where you write down topics
that appeal before making a decision as to which topic this time?
I
usually just get an idea in my head. Then I come up with the beginning and
ending and just go to it. I have a list of ideas saved and many more in my
head. So I’m never lacking in that department. I’ll croak, even if I live to be
100, before I run out of ideas.
3.
How long does it take to research a topic before you
write? And for this book? Did you learn something unusual during your research
that you can share here?
Depends
on the book I write. Kids books are just fun rhymes, so very very little, if
any. My biggest was some of the myths I had to explore, like Greek gods and
stuff. I knew most but I wanted to be sure in some cases. For this book there
wasn’t a whole lot. I don’t think I learned anything unusual. I know one reason
research takes long for some books as one picks a setting, so they have to
research the place. I purposely create a setting where it can happen in
multiple places, as I like to create the aspect that it could happen nearby the
reader. So that saves time on research. Although my latest demands I use actual
places, so it’s taking some research time.
4.
What resources do you use? In general and for this
book?
Google
is my main resource. That and, like for this one specifically, I’ve watched a
lot of cop shows and read many as well, so that leads to the knowledge I have
in my head.
5.
Do you use professionals to verify your facts, such as
the police? Is there a good way to approach them? How valuable is their input?
Or do you just wing it?
So
far I’ve been more of a just wing it. If there comes a case where I actually
need procedure and the like down the road, then I’ll have to go asking.
6.
Did you self-publish or have a publisher? Would you
recommend self-publishing and building an audience before approaching a
publisher? What's the best way to build an audience before publication?
I
have self published all 104 works I have out there. One of the main reasons as
a publisher takes foreeeever. That and I like my writing freedom. I’d recommend
self-publishing beforehand because then you’d
have something else for a publisher to look at.
The
best way to build an audience is to pick a few social media platforms and stick
to them. Don’t stretch yourself on everyone until you have a good audience on
one or two. Then just enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy doing a blog or Twitter or
what have you, people can tell and they won’t give a crap because you don’t.
7.
How do you handle the marketing required to succeed?
Any tips or tricks that you can share here?
Pfffft
I’m still looking for tip and tricks myself. In order to really get good
marketing it takes money to make money. You could have the best book in the
world, but if no one sees it, it won’t do a bit of good how well it is written.
And the only paid marketing out there that actually works 100% is Bookbub, that
I’m aware of anyway, but getting a book in there isn’t easy unless you have 100
reviews on Amazon or elsewhere. That’s my only words of wisdom with marketing.
8.
Does writing provide you a sufficient income to live
on? If so, how long did it take before this happened? Is it your goal to be
financially successful, or do you write and publish solely for the
'satisfaction of sharing your stories'?
It
buys groceries some months, does that count? I would like to be financially
successful, who wouldn’t? But unless a book made a million bucks and you can
use that to live off while you wrote others, it would kind of get a bit
stressful and maybe suck the fun out of doing it. Always worrying how the bills
would get paid and such.
So
do I want the dough? Heck, yes. But my main goal is to get the stories out of
my head and out there for whoever to see that sees them.
9.
What's the funniest thing that happened to you on a
book tour?
Can’t
say I ever went on a book tour, digital or otherwise.
10.
What's the next step for you? Television, movies, a
new genre? Tell us what the future holds - what can your fans expect?
TV
and movies would be great. That is where the real money is. But that is even
harder to break into. So many who try that end up being waiters the rest of
their lives. No thanks. I’ve got 2 novels done I’m sitting on. Love Thy Self, a
very strange meta story, and A Not So Universal World, the 8th in my other
series. Just need to get covers for them and give the later an edit or ten. Now
I’m working on a combo comedy book, taking two ideas and mashing them together.
A Thousand Miles is the title. It’s different then what I’ve written before in
a way, as it’s more comedy and action. There are no powers or aliens or murders
or anything like that. But that’s all that I can say on that one until it is
done and ready to go.
And
just for you a rhyme shall come due. Thanks for having on by Pat Hatt or
Patrick Hatt the double named guy. One for non rhyme and one for rhyme. I think
you can figure out which is which in no time.
Detective
Hollerin has received his badge after a few short years with only one thing in
mind, find the real person who was behind the murder of Torrie and Kurt Price
and put them in the ground. He, along with the Price's butler Mr. Dunker, know
without a doubt that Mr. Price would never kill his family. Even if all signs
point to him being the killer, Detective Hollerin will find the real truth
behind the murders. With secrets of his own, like hiring the Los Hugos gang for
jobs the police aren't willing or allowed to do, Detective Hollerin pushes
forward on the case.
His one and only goal is to find the killer and end their
life. But his search ends up unraveling a conspiracy that extends to all levels
of the city and beyond. Detective Hollerin's quest for vengeance leads him to places
that he never thought he would go. Now he must use all the skills from his past
and his present to survive, end the conspiracy, and find the real person behind
the Price murders, no matter the cost.
*****
Pat Hatt can be found in the East Coast of Canada. He hates writing these things but doesn’t mind talking in the third person. He dabbles in a little of this and a little of that, not afraid to attempt something new.
He is owned by two cats, one of whom has his own blog, It’s Rhyme Time. Yeah a rhyming cat, who knew? He would be considered a both person when it comes to cats and dogs.
Link up with Pat:
Patrick Hatt Amazon
Pat Hatt Amazon
*****
Did you know our master rhymer had written a detective novel?
Will you pick up a copy?
Do you enjoy writing in different genres?
Leave a short rhyme in the comments and win an Ebook copy of Murder Has a Price!
ALSO
Father Dragon, Al Diaz
is in need of some help
Check out his Blog - Calling All Angels
or send him an email for more information.
fatherdragon1@gmail.com
Father Dragon, Al Diaz
is in need of some help
Check out his Blog - Calling All Angels
or send him an email for more information.
fatherdragon1@gmail.com
Paying the groceries is good.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd waited for a publisher, you'd be a hundred books behind right now.
Yep, ever so slow. That I know.
DeleteGreat interview! I think Pat will make big or to the movies one day because he is so prolific, and he seems to have such a great attitude about keeping on keeping on, even when the chips are down.
ReplyDeleteBig would be grand, you just never know I guess. And yep, just have to keep on pushing through.
DeleteTV, movies... who wouldn't love to get one of those deals? We must all dream BIG! Congratulations on your newest book, Pat. You are wonderfully prolific.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it would sure be grand to get such a deal. Even if it has the same odds as winning the lottery lol
Delete104 works!? That's impressive! Patrick seems like a good guy. Best of luck to him!
ReplyDeleteOr maybe I fake being good well haha
DeleteWas fun to do, thanks for the interview at your zoo!
ReplyDeleteHi, Pat!
DeleteIt looks like a great introduction for your book today! Thank you so much for being here and for visiting with all the guests! Congratulations! I wish all the best and huge success!
Pat is such an amazing, productive writer. I wish I could write at even a quarter of his pace. Congrats to him on his new book.
ReplyDeleteBut I only have to amuse cats, so it make writing a bit easier
Delete104!? That's insane! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteInsane I may be, but makes things more fun
DeleteWow, Pat! I had no idea! Is there anything you can't do?
ReplyDeleteCan draw at my sea, unless you want stick people.
DeleteI think it's great that you self-published all of your books. I'm still amazed by that number!
ReplyDeleteThey just flow out and I suck at waiting haha
DeleteThis is the other side of Pat that I didn't know about. Does this book have a cat in it? Congratulations on book 104?
ReplyDeleteIt was book 100 actually, more came after haha No cat in this one.
DeleteWow, 104 books, that's impressive. I need some of that mojo. All success to Pat.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can bottle and try to sell the mojo?
DeletePat's books are so visional!
ReplyDeletecan see them taking cinema
halls throughout the seasons!
That would work for me. Then I'd get $$$ and could just write away.
DeleteGood luck Pat!
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteAn interesting interview. 104 books is a lot of writing and you seem to enjoy every minute of it. Congratulations on another book, with others still waiting.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it as I keep on a going with the ideas that keep on a popping in
DeleteWhoa, 104 books! Congrats, Pat!
ReplyDeleteThanks indeed
DeleteA very nice look inside Pat's head, as opposed to his cat's mind!
ReplyDeleteBoth just as nuts though I'd say
Deletegreat interview Pat and when you make it big in tv land, let us
ReplyDeleteknow, so we can steal a cable connection to watch your show !! ☺
Steal and see, we'll be big enough to spring you if you're caught
Delete104 books! serious respect. Great interview, amazing and heartening to know a poet can handle detective fiction/diverse genres. Congrats and best wishes for the new book.
ReplyDeleteCan go every which way as the ideas pop in and want their say.
DeleteI enjoyed this interview! I am currently reading Murder Has a Price. I have to say I'm hooked. So far it is fast paced and pulls the reader in to continue the story. I may have to do a review when I am finished. I have always enjoyed Pat's books. Who knows maybe someday, we will all say we knew him when? I hope this one does well!
ReplyDeleteA knew when, you say, fine by my bay haha glad it sucks the reader in, always appreciate any review spin
DeleteHey Yolanda and what's his name, ah yes, Pat in the Hatt,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting interview. Yep, great post! Thanks for sharing! Nice to see that the ubiquitous Pat likes to dabble in a bit of misery, sorry, mystery writing. It's all good.
Nice one Pat and the cat.
Gary, Gary, nary contrary....
Dabble in all at my hall
DeleteWhat fun to read, Pat, especially as I am reading and enjoying your book right now. I laughed when you described Detective Hollerin as someone not worried about being a detective or following any rules but his own! Sounds like a certain author that I know!!! I really admire how you push yourself in all directions! Good luck with your latest book!
ReplyDeletehaha maybe a little of me as the rules I avoid at my sea
DeleteWait a minute, Cat! You don't do you research in a stuffy library? I'm shocked.
ReplyDeleteAh... You’ll croak before you run out of ideas. That's the spirit. Just no reboots, okay?
Sequels I do, but never a reboot or remake or re-anything.
DeleteGood to hear
DeleteIt made me cheer
A cheer from you
DeleteReboot lover, you
Sounds like a great read. Just my thing. Super cover and an interesting interview. Thank you Yolanda and wishing Patrick much success.
ReplyDeleteThanks indeed
DeleteMurder Has A Price? The conspiracy sounds oh so nice.
ReplyDeleteI love Pat's attitude toward publishing and marketing. Enjoy the process and let the rest go. His output is amazing. And those cats are adorable.
That's what you have to do, as the rest can annoy up the wazoo
Delete104 at Pat's shore? Impressive!
ReplyDeleteLike to impress that I confess
DeleteGreat interview - such a prolific writer and I like his way of approaching things.
ReplyDeleteSusan at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Take it on the go at my show
Delete