Patricia

Gentleman Companon Three is a free download December 1 for World AIDS Day through Amazon kindle. 

Done! Done! Done! On Saturday November 17th I passed the 50,000 word count for National Novel Writing Month which makes me an "offical 2012 winner". I immediately put on my winner's t-shirt, had a photo taken with our Seattle mascot, a four foot tall inflatable yellow duck, and told myself I would relax for a day or two. But wait there is more Gentleman Companion Three is on its way...look for new posts in the days ahead. Patricia Kay

National Novel Writing Month November 1-30
          
           This is my second year participating in this international event where writers are challenged (against themselves) to write a book in thirty days. The book must be 50,000 words or more. My book is called the Dairy Door, a 1950's setting in a neighborhood where the common factor is the milkman who knows everything behind the doors of each home. Follow my progress by going to my website http://patriciagkay.com where my daily progress will be posted. Yes I started early this morning and now I must stop to get Gentleman Companion Three off to my distributor, BookBaby.
          Its not too late join writers from all over the world. Just go onto the NaNoWriMo website, its free. Competition?? Only with yourself. Patricia

When I look back at the date of my last post, I realize that I have been busy these past few weeks completing the final book of the Gentleman Companion series. There have been days where I have had to walk away from my computer; there have been nights where I have written my thoughts after being awaken from my sleep as I present to my readers, Lawrence. The editors and I are all struggling emotionally with this book knowing that each one of you has different expectations how this book will end. I have included an excerpt from one of his dates and I hope to have the book available beginning of November. Patricia
          
          Excerpt Gentleman Companion Three
          
          Lawrence looked at Sassy, “I can’t go to her stateroom that is against my contract. What should I do?”
          
          “Call Angeline, she will advise you. I will be more than happy to handle any problems with your date once Angeline tells you what to do.” Sassy knew that this date would be different.
          
          Angeline picked up her phone and listened to Lawrence as he read the note. 
          “For this time, and this time only you can go to her stateroom. I will send Rolf to stand by the door with you; I do not think we need any female guest accusing you of any unwanted advances. Just say hello, give her your gift, and wish her well. You could offer to meet her for a drink before the cruise ends, but I have a feeling she is not up to drinking right now.”
          
          Lawrence listened to Angeline and was quite surprised but willing to follow her direction.  Lawrence knocked on the door and waited. There was no answer, and he knocked one more time. The door slowly opened, and he looked into a room with dim lighting and candles on the floor leading to the silhouette of a figure standing in front of a mirror. 
          
          “Please come in Lawrence, I thought you would want to see me in your gift before tomorrow night.”
          

Whidbey Island, Washington Writers Residency Program, reaches out to Seattle women writers. 
          
          
          Hedgebrook, http://www.hedgebrook.org/reached out to women writers by bringing a writer's program to Seattle's Capitol Hill Roy Street Coffee House. I spent a creative two hours last evening with approximately 30 other women in a sun-soaked coffee house meeting, writing, listening to each other's words, and supporting our common passion to write. Kelsey from the marketing team of Hedgebrook led us in group writing drills that challenged our skills but brought laughter when we heard our results. Try this exercise: Pick a location, any location that comes to mind and now starting writing a paragraph or two. Have someone interrupt you writing by shouting out other words, which you must include in your story. Not only will you laugh, but also you will realize what directions words can take spontaneously. What words did we use? Our story was in an ICE CREAM SHOP. What words were added to our storyline? manicure, chocolate, dirty sock, divorce, schnick, and raven. Oh, the stories we told. Thank you Hedgebrook for an amazing evening. 
          
          Patricia patriciagkay.com

Excerpt from Gentleman Companion Three by Patricia Kay which is in process:
          “Lawrence, I am going to sit you up slowly put your arms around my neck.” She hoisted him slowly toward her. He squinted at her brown eyes, which were looking at him over her glasses. -She repeated, “Perfect, now open those beautiful grey eyes and look around the room, your surgery is over”
          Surgery, he mumbled under his breath as he continued to pry his eyes open. What happened to the white whale he had been diving next to just a moment ago? He looked at his hands resting on her shoulders. Were they the same hands that had touched the gashes next to its giant blood- shot eye? He remembered the whale breaching near the ship, the sun’s beams reflecting off its pure white belly while pushed it back into the water. The whale’s fountain of spray drenched the coast guard boat; bouncing nearby in the waves, admiring the rare snowy white mammal 
           Lawrence watched it dive, following its waxen pointed dorsal fin move toward the aft of the ship. The first spray of blood hit the side of the ship, an artistic brush depicting peril, and Lawrence found himself in the water, swimming into the rising red waves. The whale floated, heaving air through its blowhole, it rolled its eye one last time toward Lawrence, and dove into the oceans abyss. He was dreaming, yes, he remembered, as he swallowed a sip of ice water from the glass she had placed on his lips, he had surgery. No, he was not on the ship, he was at his local community hospital, and his doctor said if he had this surgery, he could return to his cruise ship job."
          http://www.patriciagkay.com

The Olympics of Writing.
          The chapters of Gentleman Companion Three are unfolding. My editors have commented on how challenged they have become in reading my words which are filled with the emotions of Lawrence's journey. Like all of you I am watching the Olympics and the athletes whose life focus has been this challenging event.
          
          I hope that my daily discipline to write, surround myself with amazing support and recognizie a life long passion continue to fulfill my dreams. Congratulations to every athlete, family and coach from all over the world. Patricia
          http://www.patriciagkay.com

SeattleWrote blog features Q&A on Gentleman Companion One and Two
          
          http://seattlewrote.blogspot.com/2012/07/seattle-author-writing-as.html

I have noticed my books are being purchased in the UK. It is overwhelming as a writer to know that my books are reaching across the ocean. I welcome any comments you may have as the third and final book begins to evolve. Patricia Kay

Four Star Review on Goodreads
          
          Kristofher Bambilla's review 
          May 29, 12
          
           
          bookshelves: owned
          Read from May 16 to 26, 2012 
          
          My thoughts: 
          
          1. Liked all the characters, all of them are easy to imagine. I actually chose some celebrities to portray them and I picked myself as the Gentleman companion, of course. He is described as tall and handsome, which is synonymous to me (just kidding), he got HIV though.
          2. Liked the character development of all the characters throughout the book. The dates were well-described, my favorite among the dates was Florian's. OMG! my heart melted when I read about the children in the orphanage.
          3. Liked the setting! I envisioned how beautiful it is even if I haven't been in a cruise ship yet.
          4. Liked the flow of the story and even if I haven't read the book one, the conversations made it easy to understand.
          5. The story is very informative, there informations about HIV, Asperger's and Downs syndromes.
          6. There was nothing astonishing, but it was interesting to read.
          7. I noticed that there are several typographical errors but they are quite understandable. In general, the pacing is quite good, it is easy to read, and it is commendable. I think I should read the first and third ones.
          
          Recommend-o-meter: HIGH
          
          http://www.goodreads.com/
          Patricia's note: I have participated in Goodread giveaways following the release of my last two books. The winners are not obligated to review the books as winners, but I was extremely pleased how Krisofher so clearly defined my purpose in writing these books. When I asked his permission to include his review on my blog he included the following comments:
          
          Your book opened my eyes to the people who struggles with HIV. It inspired me to know more about it. Thank you for inspiring us who are not aware that this things are happening. Continue to inspire and educate more people regarding HIV through your works. Thank you! God bless