Complementing my daily blog interviews, today’s Author Spotlight, the one hundred and nineteenth, is of author, blogger, singer, and musician Pat Garcia.
Pat Garcia, officially named Patricia Anne Pierce-garcia Schaack, an American author, blogger, singer, and musician, is currently living in Germany. Born in a small country town in Blythe, Georgia, USA, it had always been her desire to see the world and to write and sing. She loves reaching out to help others, playing her piano, singing, and learning new technology. An Apple fan, she enjoys taking her iPad everywhere she goes so that she can write. Pat is a voracious reader and her life revolves around her writing and her singing.
And now from the author herself:
If I am honest with myself, I must admit that sometimes I ask myself just that question. Who am I really? And I believe that, that is a question that plagues those people who really want to be true to themselves.
Born in Blythe, Georgia in the United States of America as Patricia Anne Pierce-garcia Schaack, I was never satisfied with the hum-drum of just being alive. I believe I came out of my mother’s womb with a mission and a purpose in life to write and sing, and since my conception I have been on that journey.
There are a lot of firsts in my life.
I was the first Afro-American graduate from an all-white High School in Augusta, Georgia. At that time, the call went out, “Who will volunteer to go?” My parents volunteered me. I don’t think they realized the magnification of what they were doing at that time. They only knew that they wanted something better for their children, so at the age of 16, I was pulled out of my environment and pulled away from all of those friends and people that I knew so well, and put into an environment of hostility, hate and aggression. If you were to ask me today, would I let my parents do that to me again? I would have to say, yes. That was a period in my life where I discovered that fighting spirit in me and I learned to excel above the norm. It was a struggle and I felt like I was in a war. What I didn’t realize is, that I was. The war, which was against all those dreams and desires that I had within my heart to accomplish and fulfill.
It was at George P. Butler High School, that I would meet an English teacher, a teacher of Journalism and a school counselor who would impact my life for the rest of my journey. To say that my English teacher opened me to the world of Shakespeare, William Blake, Robert Frost, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Victoria Holt, James Baldwin and Roderick Thorpe and many others would be an understatement. She developed and shaped my love for reading. There isn’t a book that is safe from my eyes until today, if I have an interest in the subject or if I am curious about what it has to say. I am a voracious reader. Thus, reading books on Einstein’s Relativity Theory have been wondrous highlights for me or reading Nature’s Destiny by Michael J. Denton is a book where I can curl up on my sofa and lose myself. I am in love with reading. Thus, one of the things that I enjoy doing is buying books. For me, the digital reader was the best thing that could have been developed because now I read everything digitally and can take my library with me. What a joy that is!
You can find more about Pat and her writing via…
http://www.facebook.com/Pat7Garcia
http://www.facebook.com/Garcia7Pat
http://garciaanddigitaltechnology.com Blog
http://garciaandwalkon.wordpress.com Blog
http://patgarciabookreviews.wordpress.com Blog
http://www.patgarcia.co.uk Blog
http://www.patgarciaschaack.com Blog
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/patricia-pierce-garcia-schaack/35/7b/20
http://www.pgs-patgarciaschaack.com Website
twitter – @pat_garcia
Wow. And I thought I was prolific. Thank you, Pat.
Pat will be returning in February for our indepth interview. 🙂
***
The blog interviews will return as normal tomorrow with multi-genre author Salvatore Buttaci – the four hundred and ninety-first of my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, biographers, agents, publishers and more. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further. And I enjoy hearing from readers of my blog; do either leave a comment on the relevant interview (the interviewees love to hear from you too!) and / or email me.
You can sign up to receive these blog posts daily or weekly so you don’t miss anything… and follow me on Twitter where each new posting is automatically announced. You can also read / download my eBooks and free eShorts at Smashwords, Sony Reader Store, Barnes & Noble, iTunes Bookstore, Kobo and Amazon, with more to follow. I have a new forum and you can follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook, like me on Facebook, connect with me on LinkedIn, find me on Tumblr, complete my website’s Contact me page or plain and simple, email me.
Unfortunately, as I post an interview a day (amongst other things) I can’t review books but I have a feature called ‘Short Story Saturdays’ where I review stories of up to 2,500 words. Alternatively if you have a short story or self-contained novel extract / short chapter (ideally up to 1000 words) that you’d like critiqued and don’t mind me reading it / talking about and critiquing it (I send you the transcription afterwards so you can use the comments or ignore them) 🙂 on my ‘Bailey’s Writing Tips’ podcast, then do email me. They are weekly episodes, usually released Monday mornings UK time, interweaving the recordings between the red pen sessions with the hints & tips episodes. I am now also looking for flash fiction (<1000 words) for Flash Fiction Fridays and poetry for Post-weekend Poetry.
Morgen 'with an E' Bailey 
Great interview Pat and thanks for the opportunity to get to know Pat better, Morgen! I’m with you Pat, the passion of reading and writing has always drove me and I believe you should follow what you love!
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All Pat’s hard work, Lisa. 🙂
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Good morning Lisa,
Thank you very much, and I look forward to us getting to know one another even better. We both have a passion for reading and writing and that is a great start.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Thank you for sharing with us about Pat Garcia. She sounds like an interesting author and person in general. I know it must have been rather scary for her to be the first afro-American in an all white high school. It sounds like that experience helped to make her who she is today. I am looking forward to reading more about Pat on her other web-sites.
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and then coming back here in February? 😀
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Good morning rbiller,
Thank you and you are so right. But I must say at the time it occurred, being the first in an all white school, I was not overjoyed, ready and willing. Today, with hindsight, I see the impressions that this experience and many others have left on my life. Some of them have stretched me tremendously. It is firsts like these that have helped me overcome my fear, and they do the same today. They give me that extra boost I need to jump in the fire and overcome the obstacles in my way, and these firsts that I experience, regardless of past or presence, has given me a sense of humour. I am thankful that there are times when I can laugh at myself and that makes the ride more comfortable.
Ciao,
Patricia
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I didn’t realize you are living in Germany and thanks for sharing all your “firsts” with us!
Thanks, Pat, and I love all your interviews, Morgen!
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You’ve read them all, Sandra, wow – only kidding. 🙂 I really appreciate all your support…
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Good morning Sandra,
Thank you, and yes I am living in Germany and have the wonderful privilege of travelling through Europe occasionally with my band or my pianist. I love the European cultures, and even though I enjoy visiting my homeland, I feel quite at home in the United Kingdom, especially Scotland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and many of the other countries here.
Here’s wishing you a great day.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Morgen, thank you for spreading Patricia’s talent and views through your blog.
I’ll be looking forward to the upcoming in-depth interview!
Patricia, you are a very special voice in a rather monotonous world. Interacting with you is a privilege. Allow me to say what your modesty silenced here: you give of yourself all the time, and the more you give, the more you have to give again.
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Me too, Marta. 🙂
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Good morning Marta,
Thank you. What can I say? I am so happy that I have met you, and even more happier that I am getting to know you. Your opinion counts for me. It is a gauge that helps me check out my own inner instincts in my writing skills. You bring out prompts and skills, like intertextuality, that make me think about what I am writing and more important, how I am writing it. In other words, simply said, you are a very important fixture in my life, and I consider it a privilege to be considered a friend. So thank you, my dear. Your words means so much to me.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Thanks for the opportunity to read about Pat Garcia, Morgen. An interesting lady with a good story to tell.
Cheers Laurie.
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Thank you for visiting and commenting, Laurie. 🙂
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Good morning Laurie,
Thank you for reading the interview and thanks for your nice compliment. It is always a pleasure to hear that someone considers my life as being interesting. Thanks and I hope to one day be able to share my story to help someone along their way.
Ciao,
Patricia
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What a great experience!
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Good morning IGameMom,
Thank you. It has pleased me greatly that you took the time and stopped by to read the author’s spotlight.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Reblogged this on little box of books and commented:
Nice to see Patricia highlighted here! Congrats Patricia! I look forward to your indepth interview in February. Thank you Morgen for your interest in people of the pen!
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Thank you, Liz, and thank you for the reblog. Some would say my ‘interest’ is an obsession – I’d tend to agree. 🙂
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Good morning Liz,
Thank you for reading the spotlight, and thank you for your reblogging. You are one of those people that I can depend on, and I am so happy that you are there for me. I look up to you and admire you, and you are right, Morgen’s obsession with helping others is a fantastic trait that I am learning to appreciate because I am reaping the benefits. The response to my author’s spotlight is a good example of her deep desire to help others.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Patricia is not only a friend but someone I highly respect: an author with talent overlaying talent, a humanitarian in all walks of life, a musician and singer of great ability and range. Yet with all these accomplishments and innate abilities, she is the most down to earth, warm, loving person I have had the joy to meet in a long time. The world will be hearing from Patricia Garcia on so many levels.
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Good morning Micki,
Thank you for reading Morgen’s author’s spotlight on me, and thank you for your words of encouragement. It is people like you who are like a thermometer in my life, letting me know if I am getting my point across in my writing or whether I have missed it. I appreciate your feedback and your humour is outstanding. I don’t know how many times I have been down in dumps, and read something about you and your computer, and started laughing until I cried. You are one of my dearest friends, and it is a pleasure to have you in my life.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Lovely to hear from you, Micki.
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Pat is the greatest! I enjoyed this highlight, Morgen. 🙂
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Thank you very much. 🙂
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Good morning Mary Ann,
Thank you for reading the author’s spotlight, and thank you for your compliment. There are a lot of great writers out there, and I have the privilege of being in a group with some of them. Their own desire to be competent writers who exhibit excellent writing skills rubs off on me and pushes me to higher heights, and I am extremely happy to be among them.
Ciao,
Patricia
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I particularly enjoyed Pat’s account of a teacher who had a huge impact on her life. I too have had that experience and can attest that two teachers of mine really changed my life and help me become who I am. I look forward to reading more from Pat!
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Teachers can make or break, can’t they. My favourite teachers were English teachers and least favourite science, and write very little science fiction. 🙂
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Good morning Merrie,
Thank you for reading Morgen’s author’s spotlight, and thanks for sharing that you had the same experience. Isn’t it amazing that people can come into your life and so influence you that they change your direction forever? When I left my old school, I had no idea that I would meet two people who were destined to lay two foundational stones in the mosiac puzzle of my life. I am just thankful that the decision to change schools was not left up to me. If it had been, I would have never changed schools, and who knows what would have happened then. Today, I am glad that my parents had the guts to throw me into the fire. They and the adults around me saw something in me that I did not see.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Liebe Pat!
Es ist wunderbar zu lesen, was Du alles erlebt hast und wie Deine Eltern Dich unterstützt haben. Du bist ein Naturtalent, und wir wünschen Dir weiterhin viel Spaß und auch Erfolg bei allem, was Du tust.
Kisses!
Dieter and Christine from Germany
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Vielen Dank Christine. 🙂
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Meine Liebe Christine und Dieter,
Darf ich sagen dass Ihr zwei haben mich wirklich überrascht. Ich habe nicht erwartet Deutsch zu lesen, und bin sehr glücklich dass einige meine Freunde aus Deutschland dieses Bericht gelesen haben. Ich kann nur sagen Vielen Dank! Ihr seid treue Freunde. Ich habe euch nicht vergessen und sobald als die Konzerte für nächstes Jahr geplant sind, verspreche ich euch beide, dass ihr von mir hören werden.
Nochmals vielen Dank.
Ciao,
Patricia
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This is really extraordinary Pat! You are such a special person and personality – but I knew that before.
Thank you Morgen for sharing this blog post about Patricia!! It’s well done!!
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Good morning Raani,
Thank you and thank you for your friendship that I treasure. It is a pleasure knowing you.
Ciao,
Patricia
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It’s a gift too for me to know YOU, Patricia!! You’re such an enrichment to my life!
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Thank you, Raani. It’s great to see so many people here. 🙂
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Absolutely love this woman! Deserves to be in the spotlight!
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Hi LInnea,
The love is reciprocated back to you. You are a beautiful person and poet. There are a few poets in this world that make me think and give me courage when I am down in the dumps, and you are one of those poets. I lose myself in your poems and I am very thankful that our paths have crossed. It is a pleasure interacting with you on the journey.
Ciao,
Patricia
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The only thing you won’t know from this glimpse into Pat Garcia is just how well she can sing and how much heart she puts into her writing. A hint: you will need better speakers.
Luv ya Pat, and thanks Morgen.
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Jim, you are, if I may say it, someone whom I treasure deeply. It is my hope and desire to work with you in the world of music next year. I don’t have any idea how it will happen, but I know it will happen.
Luv you back.
Ciao,
Patricia
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I love getting to know more about you Pat . . .what an inspiration you are! Thank you, Morgen, for spotlighting Pat for us!
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Hi Debbie,
Thank you for visiting the spotlight. When I read your poems or your article I receive nourishment that keeps me going. I am very happy to know you. You are a blessing to me.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Through Patricia’s blog, her responses to my blog, and various Linkin groups, I have met Patricia. I was already under the impression that she was a great lady with an amazing attitude. It is nice to learn more about Patricia.I enjoyed reading about her growing up and influences.
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Hi,
Thank you for your support. I feel like I know you through your boys. It is a pleasure to read your blog and follow what happens between you and your boys. Your family has enriched my life.
Ciao,
Patricia
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So sweet of you to say.
How is the feedback going from the interview?
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Morgen, thank you for all you do, and I really enjoy reading your work. Patricia is an amazing force of nature that even my “wordiness” can’t put into words that would come close enough to describe the admiration and respect I have for this lady. Her talent knows no bounds, yet no matter how high she flies, she never leaves anyone behind… if you’ve stumbled, she picks you right up with her angel wings and brings you soaring with her.
I look forward to reading the in depth interview, and of course much more of your work, Morgen!
Tami
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Thank you very much, Tami. 🙂 Pat’s is the 1,300-something-th post so plenty to read already. 😀 Great to have you on board.
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Hi Tami,
Reading these words coming from you make me think of you and your busy schedule, and I can only say I think we are on the same track. If it were not for you, some of the social media that I now used would not exist. Meeting you has even caused me to cook my first meal and that was really a wonder!:-) You are very dear to me, and I am so happy that our paths have crossed. It is because of people like you, who are willing to share your knowledge with understanding and patience to someone like me, who is still learning that keeps me moving in the process of becoming what I want to be.
So, I thank you, my Dear.
Take care.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Thank you Morgen for spotlighting Pat. It has only been a couple of months that I have had the pleasure of following Pat, but they have been inspirational and inspiring. I love how Pat writes. God gifted many of us with words, but the way He gifted Pat blesses us all. She can do what none of the rest of us can. Isn’t it wonderful how He makes us so unique? Thanks again for sharing your life with us, Pat, I would love to hear you sing. Are you on YouTube? May God keep blessing you with words that enrich the soul! Love you, sister! Deirdre
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Hi Deirdre,
Thank you. You are a dear. Even though it has only been a couple of months since we have known each other, I feel like I have known you for a long time. Your words encourage me tremendously, and I am so thankful to have you in my corner.
Ciao,
Patricia
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Thank you Bailey´s Writing Blog for sharing Pat Garcia. Great Blog.
She is a wonderful lady. I appreciate her. Thanks Pat for sharing your firsts. Great woman…autentic, humorful, witty (or is the right word zappy ?) well-read…estimated girlfriend.
I expect your next story. Big Hug Elke
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Hello My Dear Elke,
To be very honest with you, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you had read the spotlight and left comments, and in English! You have grown so much in the English language, and I am very proud of you. You did a great job writing your comments, and I am very sincere in that. You can never imagine how nice it is to have you in my corner, standing on the sidelines, rooting for me. You made my morning today, girlfriend. Have a great week.
Ciao,
Patricia
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