There's not much exciting to tell this week. I've done a lot of work on Fraternity, the next novel in my Two Democracies: Revolution series, but nothing grand to show yet. Well, OK, you twisted my arm, here's a little snippet. Please remember that this is from a first draft!


And so, on with the rest of the post. In my interview today, I am talking to Jacqueline Church Simonds, author of The Midsummer Wife.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
I wrote my first novel, CAPTAIN MARY, BUCCANEER, in 1999. That led me on a path of publishing, publishing services, and book distribution. But when we closed that all down and I got pretty ill, I realized I wanted to write. A King Arthur story that was rattling around in my head was the first thing to come on to the page.

I see there is a prequel out - The Priestess of Camelot. Can you tell us a little about the series?
It never occurred to me to write a series. But when I got to the end of THE MIDSUMMER WIFE, I realized I'd committed to at least 2 more books, because there are 2 possible outcomes. Then there was the whole backstory - the prequel. And there could be more. It depends on how well the series sells.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does Ava do that is so special?
Ava Cerdwen is a no-fooling train wreck. She has several anxiety disorders and mostly just wants to go hide in the bathroom. But she muddles along anyway, because it is her duty, because she believes it is the right thing to do. Most women readers find this relatable, because life can seem so daunting sometimes.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I call myself a pantser/plotter. I usually start out trying to write some sort of outline. But about midway through it, the itch starts to write and I do that instead. It worked great for Book 3. I nearly drove myself mad with this in Book 2: I had about 10 scenes and had to write the book around that.

What is your favourite positive saying?
My favorite is often misquoted. Henry David Thoreau once said: "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." I love that. I take it to mean: go ahead and dream your dream - but don't forget to actualize it.
That's a cool quote! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.

Jacqueline Church Simonds is an author and publishing consultant. Her first published book was CAPTAIN MARY, BUCCANEER, a historical adventure novel loosely based on the real pirate women Ann Bonney and Mary Reade.
Simonds has done the usual authorly wanderings in life: she was a lady’s companion, a sound and lights roadie for a small Southern rock band, and managed an antiques shop. She’s sold everything from computers to 1950s pulp magazines to towels and baby clothes. The one constant in her life is a love of words, books, and writing. She sold some short stories and poetry early, but didn’t pursue it until later in life.
She has had a life-long love of King Arthur and was always drawn to novels about that great hero. Finally, she sat down and wrote stories from her own point of view.
She lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband and beagle.

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