Interview With Author Peggy Joque Williams
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written three books. My most recent book–Courting the Sun: A Novel of Versailles–is historical fiction and it’s my first solo effort. Previously I co-wrote with my sister-in-law Mary Joy Johnson two mystery novels under the penname M. J. Williams: On the Road to Death’s Door and On the Road to Where the Bells Toll.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is Courting the Sun: A Novel of Versailles. It was loosely inspired by research I did into my own family roots dating back to 17th century France. The premise asks: Can a free-spirited country girl navigate the world of intrigue, illicit affairs, and power-mongering that is the court of Louis XIV—the Sung King–and still keep her head? Of course, it is fiction. While my 7th and 8th great-grandmothers were part of the program created by King Louis XIV’s program to send women to Canada to populate his country, none of them lived the life that my character, Sylvienne, lived.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The weird thing for me is that often, right after I climb into bed, and just before I fall asleep, a scene will come into my mind, sometimes with bits of dialogue or important details. If I don’t write them down right away, I’ll forgot I ever even had the idea, much less the details of the scene. So I have pens that light up so I can write in my notebook in the dark. Often I wake up in the morning and am surprised to discover a scene written out my bedside notebook. Once I look at it, I’m like, “Oh, yeah, I guess I did write that.” But if I hadn’t written it down, out of sight, out of mind. It’s like waking up to discover literary fairies have left scenes for me while I slept.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read pretty widely, both fiction and non-fiction. My early influences were J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Robert Heinlein. More recently, I’ve enjoyed reading historical fiction by Margaret George, Jennifer Chiaverini, Tracy Chevalier, Alison Weir, and C.S. Harris, and more contemporary novels by Rebecca Makkai and futuristic fare by Emily St. John Mandel.
What are you working on now?
I have two works-in-progress. One is a sequel to Courting the Sun. It takes my main character, Sylvienne d’Aubert, from France in 17th century to New France (Canada) where life is very different for her. The other is the first book in a historical mystery series, set in 17th century Paris. (Can you see a theme here? I did so much research for the first book, I didn’t want to waste it!) My character, Genevieve Damise, is the daughter of a blind apothecary who dream of becoming a physician, but ends up solving murders.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is my best method for promoting my books. I have a solid, yet growing presence there both with my author and my personal pages. I’m also pretty active on Instagram where I promote other authors and their books. And I have a monthly newsletter that is growing in popularity. Readers can subscribe via my website.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is two-pronged. 1) If you are unpublished and still writing, hone your craft and build your network of literary friends and potential readers. 2) If you are newly published, network, network, network. Put your name out there, do library and bookstore gigs, despite how few people show up. Get some bookmarks made with your book cover and website address, and give them out at every event. Create a social media presence (whichever one you feel most comfortable with), and put a newsletter out. Oh! And get started on that second book!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think it’s the same advice I give to others—network, network, network. And start that second book.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just started the novel South of Happily by G.A. Anderson. It’s humorous women’s fiction. And I’m also reading The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface by Donald Maass. A writer can never stop honing their skill set.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to keep plugging away at my historical fiction and historical mystery novels. I entered Courting the Sun into the Book Pipeline for film adaptation. I have some experience writing screenplays, would love to adapt my book to a feature film or a TV mini-series. And I’ve been toying with writing theatrical plays. Would love to see something of mine acted out on the stage.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Well, first I’d take along a blank notebook. I need to be able to create my own musings. I’d also take along the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That can never get old. And I think I’d take along a book or two of poetry, maybe Song of Myself by Walt Whitman and This is the Honey by Kwame Alexander.
Author Websites and Profiles
Peggy Joque Williams Amazon Profile
Peggy Joque Williams’s Social Media Links
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