Author's Comments

You know, some authors start writing books and know exactly where they are going and how they're going to get there. When I sold my stories only after I'd finished them, getting anywhere was half the fun. But beginning with Dragon Blood I had to submit at least something about the plot of the books I was writing. It took me a while to discover that there is adventure in having an outline to follow as well. Just about the time I start to rely on it, an unexpected character pops in and announces that he (or she) is going to be an important part of the book. Or the plot takes an surprise, but logical turn and I'm out in the middle of the lake without a clue how I'm going to get to shore. Blood Bound did that to me more than most.

After the first few panicked moments, though, I realize that those unexpected turns make it a better story (as long as I clean up behind me), for two reasons. First, the story becomes unpredictable for the reader -- and second, the story takes on a realism it didn't have before. Those unexpected changes are almost always sparked by something I didn't know about the characters or the world when I sat down to write the outline six months to a year earlier.

Let me tell you just a little about Blood Bound. Er. Yes. Hmm. I hate this part. It's very difficult to take a 100, 000 word story and condense it into 100 words without making it sound stupid. My publisher does it very well, but since I only have the front cover, I can't steal from their blurb.

So -- Here's Patty's version of a back cover blurb: What could frighten a vampire? Mercy is about to find out. While repaying a favor, Mercy finds herself face to face with a monster that should not exist. Her hunt for the monster will lead her deep into the realm of of the vampire -- where she will discover more than she wanted to about herself and the people she loves.