I’m proud to be part of the vibrant writing community in Collingwood, Ontario, and surroundings in the Georgian Bay/The Blue Mountains area.

Posted and written by Danielle Pitman
about 8 hours ago

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Collingwood resident and author, Patricia Sands has written her thirteenth book which is due to be published this fall.
Now in her seventies, Collingwood resident Patricia Sands discovered her passion for writing a little later in life. That has not stopped her from telling the stories she has to share.

Her first novel, The Bridge Club, was published in 2015, when Sands was 65. Her thirteenth book, The French Effect, is due to be published this fall.

“There are always challenges, you know, coming up with a good story and making characters engaging enough,” she says.

The stories she writes are inspired by the obstacles faced by middle-aged women. The settings Sands draws from the culture and scenery she experienced — and came to adore — in the south of France.

“You know, you see life every day and there is always something that you could write about,” she says.

Described as stories with quiet plots, her latest novel stays true to her style. The protagonist, a widow in her fifties, is invited to France where her daughter lives. The caveat is that she would be dog-sitting while there for six weeks.

“But Nora isn’t one to make spur of the moment decisions,” Sands says of her main character’s first trial.

Nora decides to adventure forth. She leaves her small-town home in Ontario and flies to Paris.

“It’s all about the characters that Nora meets during that time that she’s walking with this Doberman around Paris,” explains Sands.

In a new place, meeting new people, the protagonist is faced with new and unexpected choices.

“I think that many women these days are faced with a challenge at midlife, and so it’s just a way of writing a story that someone can feel comfortable reading and, you know, cheer for the main character,” Sands says.

She started out self-publishing and has since drawn the interest of traditional publishing companies. Whether learning through the research she does for the stories themselves, or through editing and publishing, Sands is invigorated by the process.

“We never know everything about the craft of writing. And so, you become a lifelong learner… Learning never ends and how to make your books better as far as publishing goes,” she says.

Since her novels gathered a dedicated readership, Sands started leading tours in the towns and cities where her stories take place. She and her husband have been travelling to France since long before her books were published and they still visit annually.

“I love to share that in my novels, to take readers away on a little armchair vacation,” she says.

This year she opted not to lead the tour. But that doesn’t mean her itinerary isn’t full.

Always with a camera in hand, Sands plans to take many photos geared toward marketing The French Effect, while in France during the month of September.

If she is not writing a manuscript, Sands is working on her blog or other forms of writing. Last year she published a book titled, A New Leash on Life, a story about a puppy.

“It’s fun to stretch yourself and write in different directions from time to time,” she notes.

Hearing from her readers is what delights her the most. Although many women read her novels, she has heard from men who picked up the novel and readers from many age groups. A friend in France called her once to tell her she was sitting with someone who read every one of Sands ‘novels. Oceans apart, the author and reader then met over the phone.

“There’s nothing that pleases me more than hearing or receiving an email from a reader who says that they enjoyed the book and why it meant so much to them. That’s a very rewarding part of being a writer,” she says.

Looking back from her position, over a dozen novels later, Sands says finding a community of like-minded people is important for any writer setting out. Finding people to connect with, who are experiencing the same challenges or have similar questions about the craft is empowering.

“Find your people…who you can talk to and learn from,” she suggests.

She notes that if in-person groups are not in your area, there are many resources online. The Women’s Fiction Writers Association is an example she offers of a group that provides online workshops and resources for writers of all genres.

As part of the CollingWord literary community she enjoys meeting other local authors and inspiring youth.

“If you have a story to tell inside you, and everyone does have a story but not all people want to tell it, but if you have a story you want to tell, then sit down and write it,” she says.

Sands will soon be revealing the cover of her upcoming book, which can be found along with links to her social media on her website.

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