Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.

The winner from the last Author Spotlight giveaway is DANA M. SPILLE! Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com with your mailing address to claim your prize.

This week we are featuring Pat Williams! To enter to win a copy of his book, Coach Wooden’s Greatest Secret (Revell), leave a comment on this post.

Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?

I am married with 19 adult children (14 adopted from four foreign countries) and 14 grandkids, ages ranging from eight months to nine years old. I work for the NBA’s Orlando Magic and write a little bit every day.

How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?

I wrote my first book in 1974. No, I had no dreams of being a published author, but after my first book was released the bug bit me. Book number 88 was released this month.

This is the second book you’ve written about Coach Wooden. Would you tell us what makes this man special and the impact he’s had on your life?

Coach Wooden possessed a rare quality called wisdom. The more I study his life, the more wisdom keeps emerging. I feel there are more Wooden books to be written.

So many books have been written on Coach Wooden, who retired over 30 years ago and passed away in 2011.  What sets this book apart?

My new book, Coach Wooden’s Greatest Secret, focuses on his belief of taking care of the little things in our daily activities. That’s how he coached at UCLA and conducted his entire life.

What are the life lessons we can take away from Coach Wooden?

Do your best every day and don’t compare yourself to others. Make each day your masterpiece.

What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?

The biggest help to publication has been persistence. I get lots of declines, but that inspires me to keep at it and not give up.

What do you most like about being a writer? 

I love to write and still get a thrill when the final book arrives on my desk. A bigger thrill comes when a reader lets me know that my book has been helpful.

What advice would you give to new writers?

My advice to new writers is to write the book first. Don’t worry about anything else. Nothing will happen until the book is written and edited thoroughly.

What’s on the book horizon for you?

I have several new book projects in the pipeline. I’m working on them now.

Where can readers learn more?

My website, patwilliams.com

[Tweet “”Make each day your masterpiece.” @OrlandoMagicPat shares #CoachWooden’s secrets!”]

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