Patricia Crandal Talks About Writing a Mystery

Today's question for Patricia: What are you writing now?



I am currently working on several mysterycrime
stories, a series of contemporary and
family short fiction and novels. I put aside
whatever free time I have for writing.
My feelings as a poet have affected my role
as a mother by allowing me to capture in
poetry the formative years of my children.
These poems are snapshots in words.
Whenever I read them, I see my children as
they were during that moment in time.
I like to write mysteries because I like to read
mystery stories. It all began with the Nancy
Drew series by Carolyn Keene when I was a
pre-teen in the 1950s. Each holiday, I would
request the latest Nancy Drew title and upon
receiving it, I would curl-up in an oversized
chair and begin reading the fast-paced
adventure. Prior to that time, I was hooked
on the Bobbsey Twins.

My first effort at writing a mystery story
detailed a long, frightening chase by a
sinister man. A dark tunnel appeared, leading
to (of course) a haunted mansion. The notso-
brilliant ending had me saved by the man
of my life at the time - my father.