All about the novel Sea Rift

Who is J.M. Simpson

Jo currently lives in Kent, with her two (occasionally stroppy) teenage daughters, her extremely long suffering husband and her two writing partners Max (who features as Brock in the series) and Merlin, both rescue Border Collie’s.

Jo’s debut set of novels are the Castleby series, set in a coastal community and largely inspired by the plethora of time spent in and around the UK’s coastline, and the never ending visits to RNLI shops that her children insisted on with a regularity. The series seemed a natural progression and the fictional seaside town of Castleby grew with new people and new plotlines.

What is Sea Rift about?

Interview

What was your inspiration for Sea Rift?

Sea Rift is the fifth in the Castleby series, so we have some well established characters and some that are new. There are a number of different storylines, but one of the most significant is a turf war with the local organised crime cartel, and someone from the past wanting revenge, in the very worst of ways. There are other storylines, which are pretty tough, that involve post partem psychosis, a kidnapped baby and a betrayal of the highest order. There is never a dull moment in a Castleby novel! Each book can be read as a standalone, but i do think it’s an idea to start at the beginning, with Sea State. 

What drew you to writing?

I hadn’t really thought about writing seriously, ever. I was busy with jobs, finishing a PhD, doing up a house – it was something that hadnt really occurred to me. But I had the idea for a book (thriller) when i was about 30, and i started to write it then. But, I then landed my dream job, moved house and started planning a wedding, so life took over and I never finished that book. Years later, I heard Elizabeth Gilbert on the radio talking about Big Magic, which is a fabulous book about living more creatively. I read this book and it was the thing that prompted me to think…why cant i write a book if i want? I’d had an idea for a book when i was on holiday one summer and I couldn’t get the idea out of my head.  So i sat down one day and started to write and here we are, five books into one series and a new series planned together with some other standalone books that I have also written. 

How did you choose which character to centre the story around?

In Sea Rift we have a number of characters that the story is built around.  I like to keep existing characters in the series (because people genuinely love them) and also bring in new characters into the community. So it was a case of thinking who i was going to showcase in Sea Rift from my pool of characters and who the new ones would be. We have Steve Miller, our Detective and Jonesey (who is always eating) who feature a lot as the backdrop of everything that happens really as well as other characters that flit in and out. 

What was your process for writing Sea Rift?

I don’t really have a process. I don’t plot, I have an idea, and then i just sit down and write and no-one is more surprised than me with the outcome.  I don’t know how it happens, but it feels like i have very little control over the creative process.  I start with a place, an idea and what a main event is and go from there. I can’t plot out a novel laboriously, not sure why!  

What is your approach to world and character building?

People seem to genuinely love the world of Castleby and the people. I find a place, which in the Castleby books, is heavily inspired by Tenby in Wales, which is beautiful, so i write about that and add in what i need to from other place; i write it through my eyes which hopefully comes through as i love it there.  With the characters – I try and make them believable. Give insight into who they are, what they think, what mistakes they make – anything to make them more real. I think that’s what people like about the characters – they feel like they know them, like they can stand amongst them. That’s priceless for an author to hear.   Many readers say that they want to live in Castleby and have the characters (the nice ones!) as their friends! 

How would you describe Sea Rift in five words?

Gripping, dramatic, sad, funny, heart-wrenching. 

Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?

I have loads of favourite moments!! I loved writing some of the banter between a few characters- some of it had me laughing out loud when I was writing it. There are a couple of superb characters in there who have no ‘politically correct’ filters and it is a joy to write people like that sometimes.  I liked the really tense moments, my heart was in my throat when i was typing it – genuinely couldn’t get the words out fast enough when something terrible was kicking off. I love it when I am typing wide eyed, wondering where the hell the scene is going to go. 

What was your favourite book growing up?

I consumed anything by Enid Blyton – all of her books, i was absolutely addicted. 

Do you have a favourite genre to read?

I like thrillers, crime thrillers, i think these are perhaps my favourite; although saying that I’m reading Colleen Hoover at the moment ‘It starts with us’ and really enjoying it. It’s nice to read something different. I’ve also got into psychological thrillers more lately, and really enjoyed a few of those. I don’t tend to read historical fiction. Not sure why, perhaps that will change soon! 

I read a lot around different genres, I loved the Twilight books when I was younger and then developed a massive obsession with Patricia Cornwell, then discovered Lee Child, so I don’t tend to stick to anything too much.

I like books that are real. Where the characters are relatable and sound normal. I’ve read too many books where the characters are weak and deeply unlikeable, and invariably I don’t read that author again or don’t finish the book.