Author: ‘Writing bug wouldn’t leave me alone’

WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE—Author Margaret Brownley of Simi Valley speaks to the Ventura County Writers Club at the Borders bookstore in Thousand Oaks. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers When she was in fifth grade, Margaret Brownley wrote her first novel, a mystery she didn’t know how to end.

Although that first effort never made it to print, Brownley has since published 23 books, including mystery, suspense and romance novels and several books on grief.

The Simi Valley resident recently spoke to the Ventura County Writers Club at a meeting at Borders in Thousand Oaks.

She discussed her background and her newest book, “A Lady Like Sarah,” published in December. The inspirational western historical romance about a female outlaw in 1879 Texas is based on a true story about a woman who robbed a stagecoach to pay her mother’s medical bills, Brownley said.

The book, the first in her “Rocky Creek” series, was chosen as a Woman of Faith book for 2010, Good Housekeeping’s seal of approval for Christians, the author said.

When she wrote “A Lady Like Sarah,” Brownley was concerned about adding a religious element to the story because she didn’t want to sound “preachy” and alienate non-Christian readers. She and her husband, George, belong to StoneBridge Community Church in Simi Valley.

“When I sent the book to my publisher, I didn’t sleep for weeks waiting for the verdict. I was so certain my editor would hate it,” Brownley said.  

When she found out “A Lady Like Sarah” had earned the Woman of Faith distinction, she was so excited she forgot she’d left the bathtub faucet running.

“The tub overflowed and there was water everywhere. My husband and I ran around frantically mopping the floors, which made him late for a doctor’s appointment. By the time he reached the doctor’s office, his blood pressure had skyrocketed. The doctor was about to take drastic measures until my husband explained the crazy chain of events.”

Brownley’s second book in the Rocky Creek series is “A Suitor for Jenny,” due out in September. It’s based on a true story the author discovered while going through old newspapers in a Kansas museum.

“I came across a meeting notice for ‘The Society for the Protection and Preservation of Male Independence,’” the author said. “What fun the heroine of my story has breaking through that society.”

Brownley is currently working on the third and last book in the series. The title hasn’t been determined.

“I love getting to know the many characters in my books. You never know where a character will take you—or what they will teach you. I especially like writing romance because you can explore every possible theme known to mankind through the relationship of two people. You don’t need a cast of thousands.” 

For years Brownley wrote short stories but was never published.

“I didn’t think I had what it takes to be a writer, but the writing bug wouldn’t leave me alone,” she said. “Tired of writing creative shopping lists and amusing notes to teachers explaining my children’s absences, I signed up for a creative writing class.”

She began writing magazine articles and columns for Working Mother , McCall’s , Modern Bride and others. She wrote several books on grief after her oldest son, Kevin, passed away following a long illness.

“The process of putting words on paper fascinates me,” Brownley said. “It can be scary at times because writing opens you up to the world.”

Brownley has lived in Simi for 30 years. She and her husband and their family moved from Burbank after a camping trip in Simi.

“I fell in love with the fresh air and the lovely mountain views, and I just knew it was the perfect place to raise children,” she said. “The following weekend, we came back to Simi Valley to hunt for a house.”

Although Simi’s population is three times what it was when she first moved to the area, Brownley said it still maintains a small-town feel.

“East Simi where I live is hugged by hills and mountains. It’s like living in the circle of God’s arms. How can you not love that?”

Brownley has three children and six grandchildren.