I want you to get to know some of the
characters of my novel Claiming Peace, Book 3 in the Caney
Creek Series. For the next few Mondays I’ll interview one of the
characters and you can leave comments if you want. I think this might help you
when you read my novel to know how these characters feel as they move through
the story. If you leave a comment on this blog that is
totally related to the interview I'll give you an extra entry in the next
Thursday book drawing.
Today I’m talking with Jim Callaway in Newton,
Tennessee
Good
Morning, Mr. Callaway. Are you the Mr. Callaway who owns the Southeastern
Hosiery mill?
Yes, ma’am, I am.
Have
you lived in Newton all your life?
I’ve lived in Sanford County all my
life. I moved to Newton in 1929. Before then I lived on a farm with my family
and brothers and sisters.
Was
that a big adjustment for you, moving from a farm to the city?
Yes, it was. But I had the
determination to do what I had to do to make it work.
Looking
around your office and this fine mill, I’d say your determination paid off.
Yes, ma’am, I put in some long days of
hard work at the mill before the Great Depression hit Tennessee. The owner had
to close the mill but when World War II started he was able to open the mill
again because of orders from the government to supply all the soldiers.
Did
the owner die?
Yes, he did. The owner and his wife
were killed in a car crash. Their wills left the mill to me. I’ve tried to run
it like he always did.
Mr. Callaway,
do you have a family?
I’m married to Caroline, the daughter
of the former owner of the mill, and we have a son and a daughter. I have two
sisters who live here in Newton and two brothers who are in Korea.
Newton
seems to be a small town. What do the citizens do for fun?
One of my sisters, Emmajean, is dating
a young lawyer and they seem to find things to do even if it’s going to the
drugstore for a milkshake. My other sister, Shirley Ann, is married and is an
ER nurse at the hospital. She and her husband have three teenage girls. I
believe teenagers can have fun anywhere.
Are
you the oldest of your siblings?
Yes, ma’am. After our parents died,
I’ve tried to look after all the others.
You’ve
probably had your hands full of troubles from all of them and yourself.
Yes, as a whole, we’ve all had our ups
and downs. My best friend is Arthur Gray. He’s married to Callie who is the
sister of my deceased wife. They’re having a little trouble with their son who
is a senior in high school. Their daughter, Jennifer, is a couple years behind
her brother and is a sweetie. Their mother, Callie, has some health problems
we’re all concerned about. So, seems like somebody has a problem most all the
time. But that’s the way life is.
And
they all turn to you about their problems?
Most of the time. But I wouldn’t have
it any other way. I think it makes us stronger when we help each other carry
our burdens.
Well,
thank you for talking with me. I’ll leave and get out of your way.
You’re welcome, ma’am.
The winner of last Thursday's
blog post for a copy of The Nun and the Narc by Catherine Castle
is BarbaraT. I'll email you.
Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.
Till next time … keep
on smiling.
Jo, these interviews with your characters sure was a good idea. Is nice to know something about them as you read the stories. Hope all of your books will be very successful. GOD bless. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMaxie, thanks for leaving your comment. Glad you enjoy the character interviews.
DeleteI lived on a farm until I got married and then moved to town. It was a big adjustment but I feel like Mr. Callaway. With determiniation I make it work!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this interview with one of your characters.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
rubynreba, glad you enjoyed the interview with one of the characters and could identify with him moving from a farm into town. Thanks for leaving your comment.
ReplyDelete