Patty Lesser
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
At 19, I left Canada to backpacked around the world for 25 years. Before I left, I met with Irving Layton while he was writer-in-residence at the University of Toronto. He agreed I should travel and then come home and write, which I did creating 9 novels and 2 non-fiction.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The working title is "Murder at the CNE." (Canadian National Exhibition held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.) After spending a day at the CNE, I considered writing the story of an older woman being abandoned at the CNE and then decided the genre would be a murder mystery where a famous Canadian author would be murdered and there are multitude of suspects.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to put on a favourite movie I don't have to watch, but it's in the background as I write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Thomas Hardy, Ayn Rand and Alexandre Dumas are my inspirations.
What are you working on now?
Murder at the CNE, a murder mystery that takes place at the Canadian National Exhibition
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Nothing wrong with writing a book, but if you only have a couple, promote the hell out of them,.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you love.
What are you reading now?
"Be the Pack Leader" by Cesar Millan
What’s next for you as a writer?
I've sent a query letter to an agent.
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?
The Bible, The Complete works of Shakespeare, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, The Count of Monte Crisco by Dumas, the Complete Works of Thomas Hardy