We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pat Black-Gould. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pat below.

Alright, Pat thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I’ve done both. I started my career in the theater world. After some time, I switched jobs and became a clinical psychologist. But as I headed into semi-retirement, I chose to start writing fiction. I didn’t realize how much those diverse careers would complement each other, but I discovered they do! And my years as a psychologist, I believe, strengthened my skills as an author.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an author and a clinical psychologist. But my career didn’t start that way. My background was in the theater world. In New York, I worked as an actress and director. I also ran an inner-city theater program for children. In Maine, I was the director and producer of summer stock theater and a murder mystery theater company. But then I switched careers and became a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist. I worked with various populations but specialized in working with Vietnam veterans and the Deaf community. When I think back on it now, in both professions, my interest was in what makes people tick, their inner lives, and what motivates individuals to grow and succeed.

But the creative side of me was always present. A few years ago, I published my first book, The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey. Illustrated by a third-generation Holocaust survivor, the book’s message is of hope, courage, inclusion, and resilience. Although a children’s book, the Afterword contains a study guide for children and adults and a message from a Holocaust survivor. It was an honor that the book won three gold medals. As an author, I’ve had the privilege of traveling around the country, speaking to groups of all ages, and appearing on the WSRE PBS TV program Conversations with Jeff Weeks. I’ve also turned the book into a stage production performed at a Florida statewide conference.

My new book, All the Broken Angels, co-written with Steve Hardiman, is a coming-of-age story set in the 1960s and early 70s. It was the era of the Vietnam War, the dawn of the women’s movement, civil rights, peace marches, and gay liberation. It was a time when our country was divided, similar to how we are now. Yet, the messages of hope, resilience, and acceptance of each other are also a part of this book. In addition, as a psychologist who worked with Vietnam vets, I felt it important to pay tribute to the brave men and women who served during this controversial war and recognize their families’ sacrifices. The novel will be published on October 5th, but the book has already become a finalist for the 2024 Royal Palm Literary Award by the Florida Writers Association.

I hope to continue presenting at social organizations, conferences, schools, libraries, and book clubs, either in person or online. Although my two books are very different, their message is the same: the importance of caring for each other despite our differences.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My first career was in theater. I loved the creativity of the theater world and thrived in it—on an emotional level. However, surviving financially in theater is difficult. Once I had a child, it was even more challenging. I knew I had to make a drastic change to become a better provider for my son. I had a few office jobs and realized I needed to return to school. But I was a horrible student during my younger years, so I had to teach myself how to study. Since I was also going through a divorce, I had to maintain a full-time job while getting my doctorate and raising my son. Not an easy task.

Fortunately, I had supportive parents who helped out with my son. However, they didn’t believe a woman needed a higher education (or should be in theater, for that matter) and constantly suggested I quit school. A few times I considered leaving, especially since I was always exhausted. But I persevered and obtained a PhD\postdoc in psychology and neuropsychology. I missed the creativity of the theater world but found a way to incorporate the arts using psychodrama. Plus, I enjoyed working with various groups of clients.

When I took a position working with the Veterans Administration, I began to understand what combat veterans faced. I knew a little about this because my father was a World War II vet. But when I spoke to Vietnam vets, I heard their stories about coming home–many not receiving a hero’s welcome like my father did. Many struggled with PTSD. I also had a cousin who died in Vietnam under non-combat-related conditions that were not clearly explained. I felt I needed to do something with what I was learning, but I didn’t know what that was.

A few years ago, I semi-retired and started a small private practice. I had some spare time on my hands. Although I missed the theater world, I decided to try something different. I started writing historical fiction. Suddenly, a significant part of the creativity I had buried returned. I joined writing groups. I wrote my children’s book, The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey. Before I knew it, I was researching what had happened to my cousin in Vietnam. I found the soldier who was with him when he died, and there was a story about that! I thought about the stories veterans told me. Slowly, along with my co-author, Steve Hardiman, my novel, All The Broken Angels, was falling into place.

I feel like my life has come full circle. I haven’t returned to the theater world, but I’m told my books are as vivid and dialogue-driven as plays or movies. And, as it turns out, both of my books are about resilience and surviving difficult times. I guess in the long run, as authors, we write what we know and what we lived.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is allowing my creative journey to take me wherever it wants to go. Maybe it’s because of my theater background and the fact that my writing is character-driven, but my characters speak to me. They tell me where they’re headed, and if I’m off-track, they let me know. That may sound a bit unusual, but none of my characters has led me astray, and they’ve helped strengthen my storylines. In addition, because of my clinical training, I know the psychological arc each individual needs to achieve by the end of the story. Some characters grow, and some may remain stagnant, but there’s a reason for each choice and a lesson for readers in each decision.

My theater background allows me to “set the stage.” I love creating the visual effect of the scene. Another fun part is doing the research. For All the Broken Angels, set in the 1960s and 1970s New York City, my co-author and I enjoyed studying specific city details and events. Although I’m from that location and time period, my memory was faulty, but we brought the story to life and had fun doing so.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://patblackgould.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patblackgould/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatBlackGould
• Linkedin: Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D. | LinkedIn

Image Credits
Author Photo by Nancy Nesvik