Becky Clark, Mysteries

Goodbye to Becky, Hello to Patricia

For a million boring reasons, I have decided to step away from regularly contributing to Chicks on the Case. I have so enjoyed my time here, goofing off with you in the henhouse, squawking with the other Chicks, getting to know everyone so much better.

But I’m leaving you in excellent hands.

It’s my absolute delight to have as my swansong the Passing of the Yellow Feather Baton to your new Chick on the Case, Patricia Sargeant.

(I just looked up swansong to see if it was one word or two and had to laugh at the origin of the phrase. It comes from the “ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song just before they die, while they are typically silent for most of their lives.” I’m still calling this my swansong even though I will not be singing a beautiful song, I will not be dying any time soon, and I have not been silent about much of anything for most of my life.)

Patricia and I had a conversation recently where I required her to don the full-size chicken suit we make the newbies wear during their inaugural year. My photos didn’t turn out, so you’ll just have to use your imagination while you read about it. Newbie Chicks are also required to offer a loud BAWK as punctuation whenever they’re at their keyboard. We have no way of policing this as they plot their manuscripts, but rest assured, Patricia got every squawk, cluck, and bawk in its rightful place during our conversation. Feel free to add them as you read.

You write both cozies and romantic suspense, but it seems there’s a common theme of family running through all your stories. Tell us more about that.

Becky!!! I love talking with you! Thank you so much for taking the time to sit and chat with me.

My extended family is my foundation. Growing up, we lived within walking distance of my mother’s three sisters. Our families were always visiting each other, and celebrating birthdays and holidays with potlucks that lasted hours and hours. Good times! I have so many wonderful childhood memories because of that. Sometimes my relatives appear in my books. There are a lot of them in my Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries. In moments of panic, I wonder if my relatives recognized themselves in those mysteries and that’s why I don’t hear from them as much anymore. (Kidding. Mostly.)

Why did you become a mystery and suspense writer, as opposed to say, writing YA or science fiction?

Oh, but I am writing science fiction. We’ll get to that later.

Crime fiction is my first love. I was drawn to it because I love stories and worlds in which justice is served. I also love putting ordinary people in extraordinary situations and showing them exhibiting strength and courage in the face of adversity, and winning. I think that positive reinforcement – if they can do it, I can do it – is important and empowering.

Because I stalk you, I know you have a devotion to coffee which you say “borders on abuse,” which is hilarious. But we want to know all about your caffeine habit: how you drink it; if you go for any frou-frou flavors; how many miles per gallon you get; does your habit disrupt your sleep or are you immune to its proclivities by now … everything. Tell us everything.

OK. I’ll give you the scoop on my coffee habit. (Get it? Ha!)

Normally, I like my coffee with a bit of cream and sugar. I’ll stir the coffee as I ponder my next scene. But closer to my deadlines, I skip the niceties, roll up my sleeves and pretty much drink from the carafe. It’s a time thing. If I could hook myself up to an intravenous drip, that would be ideal.

Once I meet my deadlines, I like to celebrate with a tall cafe mocha or caramel macchiato and a large chocolate chip cookie. Going for maximum sugar.

Funny you should ask whether my devotion to coffee affects my sleep. It doesn’t. I think my drinking it is more of a crutch, like a baby blanket or a liquid pacifier.

How do you procrastinate when you should be writing?

Oh, my gosh. My biggest issues are emails and social media. I tell myself, “You have five minutes to check your messages. Just five minutes.” Fifteen minutes later … “Where did the time go?”

Tell us three things about yourself readers might be surprised to know.

Ha! I don’t know if these three things would surprise readers.

1. I love sci-fi movies, especially old black-and-white sci-fi films like The Day the Earth Stood Still and War of the Worlds.

2. After college, I volunteered with the TV production crew of a local cable station outside of Los Angeles.

3. I love wearing hoodies with pockets when I’m writing. I don’t know why.

Lightning round:

Pen or pencil?

Pencil. I love to be able to erase. Ha!

Mountains or beach?

Mountains, especially with lots of foliage.

Walk or bike?

Walks. It’s easier to stop and take in the scenery.

Pancakes or waffles?

Waffles! Yum!

And my final question … where do you stand on the notion of pineapple on pizza?

No. Just … no.

There you have it, Peeps. A brief introduction to the kindest person I’ve ever met in my entire life. Make her feel welcome here in the coop … tell her about your coffee habit, how many hoodies are in your closet, and/or your thoughts on pineapple on pizza.

PatriciaSargeant.com

Enewsletter: Patricia’s News

BookBub: @BooksByPatricia1

Facebook: @AuthorPatriciaSargeant

GoodReads: AuthorPatriciaSargeant

53 thoughts on “Goodbye to Becky, Hello to Patricia”

  2. Becky, thank you again so very much for chatting with me. I had a blast with your questions!

    I’m so excited – and nervous, ha! – to be a part of Chicks on the Case. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone even better.

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  4. Becky,

    I am so sad to see you go. But you need to at least do one post here a year. My rules. FYI, you can’t disappear, my husband likes to stalk my favorite authors.

    Patricia,

    it is nice to see you. Come on board. Based on this interview, it looks like you are going to be a good fit for these crazy gals. I can’t wait to see your first post and see what goes on inside that wonderful brain of yours to randomly chat about.

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  7. Becky, sorry to see you leaving the Chicks coop!

    Welcome, Patricia! I enjoy reading your Spice Isle mysteries.

    And your lightning round answers align with mine.

    I know we’ll get along just fine. 😉

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    1. Grace! Thank you for your reply. You’ve lifted my heart with your kind words about my Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries and you’ve made me feel so welcome with your comment about my lighting round responses. Thank you! I look forward to getting to know you better.

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  11. Becky, thank you for all of your wonderful Chickiness! You will be very missed. Best wishes on your next chapter.

    Patricia, welcome to Chicks! So thrilled and delighted that you’re joining us! Looking forward to hanging out (and drinking coffee–love the coffee too)!!

    ❤️❤️❤️

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  14. Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes….

    Becky, I’m sad you’re leaving right when I’m coming back! Keep in touch, okay?

    And Patricia, welcome to the flock! You’re going to fit right in. 🙂

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  15. Ack, so sorry–I keep getting kicked offline here at Malice. Becky, we will miss your constant chirpy and feathery presence here at the coop, but as we know Chicks can check out but they can never, well, leave 100%. Plus, we never got to see you tap dance, and we are going to hold you to that. And Patricia, a hundred thousand welcomes to you–we’re thrilled you agreed to join us. Love your books and you already! (Our answers line up perfectly, by the way.)

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