Jennifer Dicamillo is a relatively new author, yet she has already won numerous awards for her poems, plays and her new novel, The Price of Peace. Married 22 years with 5 kids, Jennifer has been a motivational speaker, has run a beauty pageant as well as a pre-school, and written and directed six award-winning mini-plays. When she turned all of her energy towards writing a novel, The Price of Peace was born. Published by Publish America, it has received wonderful reviews so far.

Welcome Jennifer! Thank you for taking to time to talk to us.

First, can you tell us a bit about your new romance, The Price of Peace?

Sure. Thanks for inviting me. The Price of Peace is set in the 13th Century. The action takes place in northern Wales, in an area called Gwynedd. It's based on an old map I found while doing a run on genealogy research at ancestry.com.

It seems like quite a bit of research has gone into the creation of Rob and Carys's story. Do you enjoy the research aspect of writing?

Oh yes. I love history and research in general. I get caught up on tangents, though… you know, those interesting, but not well-known facts. Sometimes I spend hours reading on subjects off the general course I'm supposed to be pursuing, but that's because I'm an avid reader.

Can you describe how it felt to learn that The Price of Peace was going to be published?

When I got the news that my novel was going to be published, I had an incredible rush of shock and excitement mingled together. A sense of disbelief. And one of those stupid grins-with tight cheeks and lots of teeth-plastered itself to my face for hours.

How did you celebrate?

Well, after I stopped dancing around the room, giggling, and zipping emails to a hundred people, I went out to eat with my husband and children, had a great big, expensive dessert, too-even though I was stuffed from the biggest steak on the menu.

You are currently working on another novel, Courting Disaster, for Zumaya Publications. Can you give us a peek at what that story will be about?

Courting Disaster is set in a fantasy kingdom reminiscent of old England. Basically, it is two intertwined tales of love. The first couple is already married, cold, frigid, estranged, desperately in need of something to bring them together. The second couple is a hot-blooded duo from Kades, a place where manners are sparse, tempers run high, and lust rules the roost. Bringing them together at the Castle Wharediff just sets the scene for a sword-slinging, prank filled adventure into lasting love.

When you first started writing, how much confidence did you have that you would succeed?

I've done motivational speaking for twenty years. I believe that you can reach any goal by setting smaller ones, and sticking to a plan for success. So, I didn't have any doubt that I could get published at least once. I think the thing that is really overwhelming to me-about a writing career-is knowing where to go from here, how to publicize my work, find out what people want to read, etc. I want to please my audience-and find an audience in the first place. Let me say thanks again, for inviting me to do this.

Which do you believe is more difficult, writing and directing plays, or writing a novel?

Writing a novel. Plays are short, simple. Execution is really a step by step process where you can see direct results. A novel, on the other hand, takes a lot more perseverance, greater vision, and hours more in the rewrite department.

Who has been the greatest support for you throughout your career?

Oh, that would definitely be my husband, Tony. He is the first one who said, "Write something." And he is certainly the one who said, "Now send this to someone." And the one who sat, holding my hand, squeezing it, saying, "I have faith in you."

You have been writing poetry your whole life. Who is your favorite poet and why?

Ah. That's easy. I'm a Shakespeare fan. He's funny, throws in sexual innuendo everywhere… makes you think. He was a true master of word manipulation.

What are you reading right now?

Killer.app by Barbara D'Amato. Yesterday, I read The Nerd Who Loves Me. I'm looking for something by Susan Wiggs or Kathryn Sutcliffe, though. Why don't they write faster?

What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered?

Quality in many areas? I want people to know that I can write for any age, any genre, male and female. Unfortunately, I've been advised that focusing on one genre is the only way to stardom in the writing industry. But, if I only had one book published, The Price of Peace makes me proud. If I'm only remembered for that, it will be a good memory. I think readers will think about it long after they finish it. I have received calls and emails from people who were fascinated by the characters, their motivations-who can see analogies to modern events. I'm excited to see that there IS a reading public out there who wants something deeper. Don't get me wrong, the surface story is satisfying in itself, but if one wants to ponder the finding of peace, how relationships are affected by misunderstandings, or where faith really finds its feed… I think my novel, The Price of Peace, will satisfy that, too.

After an extremely stressful day, what do you like to do to relax?

Pass out. Oh… did you mean before that? I like to sit in a lawn chair, outside in my Ozarks hollow, listening to the leaves rustle, bugs and birds, and the rippling of water in my little part-time creek.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Set goals. Start simple. Have faith in yourself. Know this… what you don't know about the writing business-you can learn. Get connected. Join writing and critique groups. Take criticism and rejection with humor, knowing that the best writers have been rejected, everyone has an opinion, but many people only have taste in their mouths. If they don't like your stuff, it doesn't mean that no one else will. But most of all, you can't get published, or win awards for your writing, if no one else sees it. Send it out.

What do you have planned next after Courting Disaster?

Well, actually, I'm excited to say that Zumaya has picked up my third novel, DEAD LINE. That will come out in 2007. It's a contemporary romantic suspense.

Is there anything you would like to add before we go?

I'd like to say that I'm open to conversation with readers and aspiring writers. Just email me. My email address can be found on my websites. And thanks, again, for spotlighting my work.

Jennifer, once again, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. We wish you the best with all your future projects!

Thanks!

Visit Jennifer's website for more information on Price of Peace. www.jenniferdicamillo.com or www.publishedauthors.net/jenniferdicamillo


Interviewed By:
Kathi