An Interview with Bill VanPatten: Author of A Little Rain – Bronze Winner in the 2022 SPR Book Awards

Bill VanPatten is a former award-winning scholar and teacher who changed careers to write full-time. He has also performed standup comedy and still does so on occasion, especially if the venue serves killer martinis.

Tell us about your book.

A Little Rain explores the complexities, lies, and secrets of a disintegrated family, as they wind up in court over the sixteen-year-old son’s actions. Twists and turns abound as the story unfolds through different points of view.

Why did you want to write a book?

Before I became a writer, I was a successful academic. I’d published eight books, about two-hundred articles and book chapters, movies, textbooks, and so on. I’d written millions of words. So, writing fiction just seemed natural to me. I have an intimate, probably unhealthy (!) relationship with the keyboard and my computer. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t write something every day.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

I like the control over my own work. I like choosing editors, designers, and others to work with and have established some great working bonds in the process.

What tools or companies did you use, and what experience did you have?

I have used Reedsy to locate developmental editors, copy editors, and design editors (for cover and interior). The experience has been very positive and I have found some excellent people to work with.

What do you think are the main pitfalls for indie writers?

For me, the biggest problem is working on promotion and marketing of one project, while I’m writing and working on another. You wear two different hats and, to be honest, at times the promotional hat cuts into your creative time. But in the end, it’s all good because of the manner in which you are in charge of your baby.

As a writer, what is your schedule? How do you get the job done?

I block out specific times of the day to write. I also go away on occasion to write away from home and avoid distractions. I also work on multiple projects at once. In this way, if I get to a stumbling point with one project, I turn to another and work on it. I find that unconsciously I tend to resolve problems on the other project and, at the same time, don’t feel like I’m wasting or am stuck. I’m always making progress on something.

Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.

This genre is a combination of contemporary adult fiction, LGBTQ fiction, and soft mystery. I like these crossovers because they allow me to explore different ways of writing while also allowing me to explore people’s natures. I do like to get inside my characters’ heads and expose as much of their emotions as possible on the written page.

How do your friends and family get involved with your writing? What do they think of your book?

I’m part of a writing group and I also have a cadre of five friends who read completed drafts and provide me with overall comments. A Little Rain is one project that caused lots of discussion with my beta readers. They commented on how much they appreciated the different points of view along with the suspense of “Why are they in a courtroom?” Of course, they all had something to say about the ending.

What are your plans now your book is published?

I recently published my fourth novel, Sometimes You Just Know, and am working on two more novels and some short stories.

What did you learn on your journey as an author?

One thing I’ve learned is to juggle your instincts as a writer against feedback you get from fellow writers and friends. What is more, sometimes the feedback itself is conflicted. So, you often have to make decisions based on what your gut tells you. Another thing I’ve learned is that the publishing industry is highly selective, with agents as gatekeepers. Only a sliver of what gets written ever makes it to traditional and commercial publication. This means a lot of good writers don’t end up on airport bookshelves or on Barnes & Noble tables.