Nancy Heins-Glaser interviewed author Patricia Watts at the April 13 meeting of the local chapter of AAUW. The presentation was called: “In Conversation With…” and is part of the AAUW’s focus on the importance of honoring women’s voices.
Watts spoke of her background as the child (and eventually spouse) of military men. She has traveled extensively and she didn’t begin school until the first grade as there was no kindergarten available. As a teen she had notes all over the house as writing was easier for her than talking. She worked as an investigative for the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights as a paralegal and she has also been a newspaper editor in several locations including Texas and Alaska. Attending and completing college at Humboldt State University was complicated by frequent moves, with her husband in the military and having two kids.
In all Watts has written five books – two as a co-author with a known mystery writing partner, Stan Jones, and three of her own. Patricia is currently active in La Jolla Pen Women and AAUW, San Diego Chapter. Watts has presented at Liberty Station San Diego Writers Guild and continues to work as a manuscript editor.
Watts discussed her writing process, the ins and outs of publishing novels and the importance of earnest journalism – now more than ever. Watts also read an excerpt from her most recent novel Paper Targets where she chronicles the lives of two friends – each with a different way of handling injustices and subtle cruelty of the men in their lives
Text/photo supplied by Nancy Heins-Glaser
