Updated April 5, 2010

People sometimes ask, "What are you writing now?" This page gives you a peek at what I’m working on while it’s in progress and also a glimpse into things I've been doing.

Now that HOLD UP THE SKY is out, I am busy letting readers know about it through speaking events and mailings. Meanwhile, I’m also trying to make time to work on the next book. ing on the next one. One of my new ways to discuss books with readers is through a blog, at patriciasprinkle.blogspot.com. Visit the blog and leave your own comments. I hope you will let me know how you like this novel either there or, more privately (especially if you hate it!) by emailing me at thoroughlysouthern@earthlink.net

Friday’s Daughter, my new book, is the story of how a woman whose greatest desire is to help others discovers that following her own dreams is the best thing she can do for them.

The book is structured around a modern fairy tale: Once upon a time there was a king with three daughters. The eldest was brilliant. The next-eldest was beautiful. The youngest was neither beautiful nor brilliant, but she liked to help people. The brilliant princess married a brilliant print and they reigned in a kingdom where everyone was brilliant. The beautiful daughter married a rich, handsome prince and they reigned in a kingdom where everybody was beautiful and rich. The third daughter became a nurse and worked happily in a hospital in a distant city.

When her aunt fell ill, she nursed her until she died. When her mother got ill, she nursed her until she died. Afterwards, the youngest princess wanted to return to the hospital in a distant city where she had been happy, but her father begged, “Stay and care for me, and I will leave you my castle and enough money to care for people here.”

The book begins on the day King MacAllester’s will is read, when his youngest daughter, Teensie, gets a surprise and discovers how much her family has valued her years of sacrifice.

At this point I have almost completed part one, The Marble House, and am about to begin the second, The Log House. Teensie is working her way through her feelings at having to give up one set of dreams and look for another.

Do me a favor, please: When you are in your library, please tell them that the Thoroughly Southern series are available in Large Print editions for sight impaired readers. Thanks!