J. D. Simmons Interview Published on: 28, May 2020

I was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Due to my parents’ jobs, my family moved a good bit during my childhood. We lived in Miami, Jacksonville, and Atlanta before moving to Charleston, South Carolina.

I was a Business Education major at Winthrop College with the full intent of teaching business courses at the high school level.

As a student, I had some really good, influential teachers. Being the oldest of three girls, I practiced “teaching” my sisters for many years. When I was old enough to babysit, I realized that I liked kids—teaching seemed like a natural career choice.

I was encouraged by my partner, my sister, and some friends to tell my story. I was very hesitant, but they continued to urge me to tell my story over a period of years. I remember the night that I told two of my best friends that I was divorcing my husband because I had an affair with a woman. It was a shocking and brutal confession. Afterwards, my friend said, “You have to write a book.”

I don’t yet know another published author personally that lives in my city. However, I have connected with many writers on Twitter and enjoy those connections and I think it’s very important.

It’s been a great career. At times, it’s been stressful and hard, but I don’t have any regrets. I spent many years as a teacher, but also spent about half of my career as a school administrator.

I have had students come back to me as adults, and they have said that I made a huge difference in their life—it doesn’t get any better than that!

I was married for 33 years before I left my husband to begin my relationship with my partner—hence, “Lately.”

While I was writing my book, there were many times that I was unsure it I would ever go through with publishing it. The writing process and putting my life down on paper was cathartic for the most part. However, I was revealing everything—no more secrets, and I wasn’t sure if I could put it all out there. That’s why I decided to write under a pseudonym and I also changed the names of all the characters in my book.

I love spending time with family and friends. I am very close to my family. I have two grown children and five grandchildren and have a strong network of close friends. I do all my own yard work and love it. There’s something therapeutic for me in working outdoors and getting my hands in the dirt. I enjoy running (not fast). In my 50’s, I decided to train for a half-marathon and have run a total of nine. Hope to do more!

So honored and so excited. There were thousands of books entered into the Book Fest Awards so I was humbled. When you are a self-published author, it’s hard to know if your book is good. My friends and family have encouraged me and told me how much they enjoyed my book, but it is just a different kind of validation when it comes from someone that doesn’t know you personally.

I recently found out that I was named a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Awards (United Kingdom) in the adult, non-fiction category.

I think the biggest challenge was getting it finished. It took me about 7-8 years to finish it. I would write on my book for a while, and then I would put it away for months at a time and say to myself, “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

Our family takes a trip every year to the beach and we stay for a week. I definitely try to get down to the beach as much as possible, but it’s quite a drive. My favorite beaches, though, are in the panhandle of Florida!

I want first to inspire people to have the courage to be themselves. For so many years I lived in a marriage and was afraid to admit to myself that I was attracted to another woman. I lived in fear of what people would think of me if I left my husband. A lot of my book hopefully will speak to people that may be living in unhappy relationships or marriages, but may be afraid to leave. Life is too short to waste the precious days of our lives and we should all be in a relationship where we are loved, respected, and cherished. If there are people that are judgmental about same sex love, I want my book to speak to them and to open their hearts and minds to acceptance. In the 21 st century, we should all be free to live in authenticity.

I am still working part-time, so three days a week I am busy with work obligations. I have been spending extra time with my family and my partner. I’ve been doing a lot of spring cleaning and my yard is in tip-top shape!

I have used social media to promote my book. I’ve utilized book giveaways on Amazon and Goodreads. I want to get around to bookstores within driving distance of my city in order to possibly schedule book signings or author talks, but the Coronavirus has made that impossible right now. I believe that I came across All Author on Twitter. I am so impressed with All Author and the services that you provide!! Thank you for supporting me as an author and promoting my book!