About

Patti Stockdale

Eleven Bookish Things About Me

  1. Current Book Crush? The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
  2. Favorite classic?  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I know, everybody picks it, but there’s a reason it’s a classic.
  3. Earliest book memory? A fat book called The Story & Verse for Children. No pictures, only pages of unforgettable fables, nursery rhymes, and poems.
  4. Favorite genre? Historical fiction with a side of romance. Oh, and humor. For me, everything is sweeter with humor.
  5. Favorite place to read? Under a beach umbrella.
  6. Why did I write Three Little Things? My mom and aunts found a beautiful tin of letters their parents exchanged during WW I. Next thing you know, a pile of inspiration plops into my lap. Plus, I needed a project for a college class. After graduation, I stuck the manuscript in a box for far too long.
  7. Plotter or pantser? Soaring by the seat of my sweatpants but flirting with Mr. Plot.
  8. Other writing endeavors? A monthly cover article for Iowa Living magazine and reading passages for educational publishers. Once upon a time, I wrote a middle school novel, dozens of short stories, poetry, grants, essays, and a newspaper column.
  9. When did I start writing? Inspiration first struck in Mrs. Sullivan’s 11th grade English class. My peers handed in short stories of reasonable length.  I forced myself to stop around the 28-page mark. Topic: slumber party. Grade: A-. Possible career path: Writing is an option?
  10. Education? While working on a degree as a nontraditional student, I enrolled in night classes at a satellite campus near my home in Pennsylvania. To my dismay, the school canceled World Civ. The only other option to fit my schedule – creative writing. Two weeks in, a portion of my assignment landed front and center on the chalkboard. The night’s lesson – write what you know. Somehow, I missed that detail. My story featured the Denver Airport. Had I ever flown in or out of Denver, Colorado? Nope. Mr. Wallace dissected my work like a biologist in a frog-infested lab. Did I die? A little. The temptation to walk away and never look back tempted like a hot, cheesy slice of pizza. But I stayed, which made all the difference in the world. Thank you, Terry Wallace.
  11. Best book ever? The Good Book.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. To God be the glory. 

“Three Things I loved about this book: 1. I fell in love with Arno and Hattie. 2. The sayings and songs of WW I: I found myself singing ‘Over Her, Over There’ and I want to join a knitting brigade! 3. The promise of more books by Patti Stockdale. I want more!”

– Debbie Macomber, New York Times #1 Best-Selling Author

“Charming and moving, Three Little Things tells a sweet story of two wounded souls. Hattie and Arno are appealing characters, and their personal growth and their building romance will draw you in. The novel also sheds light on women’s roles on the Home Front in WW I and the persecution of German-Americans, something rarely discussed. With touches of both humor and depth, this story is a keeper.”
– Sarah Sundin, best-selling author
“A beautiful story, beautifully told. Patti Stockdale’s debut marks her as an author to watch!”
– Roseanna M. White, author
“Three Little Things is a beautiful, sweet war-time romance. The letters will melt your heart.”
– Kimberly Woodhouse, best-selling author
“Patti Stockdale’s debut novel Three Little Things pulls readers from one chapter to the next until they turn the final page. With compelling characters, historical charm, and a finely-honed plot, this historical romance earns my highest recommendation. I eagerly await more compelling fiction from Patti Stockdale.”
– Shelly Beach, Christy, Selah, Reader’s Favorite, and Golden Scroll Award Winner
“Patti Stockdale brings the beauty and sacrifice of the World War I era vibrantly to life with her debut novel. Brimming with longing, courage, and romance, Three Little Things will whisk you away and leave you yearning for more. A truly stunning debut!
– Tara Johnson, author of Where Dandelions Bloom
“Patti Stockdale was inspired by her grandparent’s WW I love letters. The result is her debut novel Three Little Things. Stockdale’s powerful attention to detail reflects hours of research depicting the reality of life during WW I. It chronicles the lives of Iowans Arno Kreger and Hattie Waltz and how they kept connected by letter writing. Stockdale’s deft storytelling effortlessly weaves from the letters to the action showing how war affects not only those headed overseas, but also the ones left behind. Three Little Things is a definite ‘must-read.'”
– Mary Jedlicka Humston, coauthor of Mary & Me: A Lasting Link Through Ink