Author Interview: Jamie Adams – Fiction Aficionado
Thanks for joining me today, Jamie. We’re going to start with a little flight of fancy. How would you finish these sentences?
If I were a musical instrument, I would be a…
Piano. I love to listen to piano music. I enjoy typing and type fast. It’s fascinating that my fingers type out the words I’m thinking. I imagine playing the piano is similar but so much more rewarding.
I can vouch for that! Although I have to say, it takes a LOT more practice… 😬
If I could only eat one type of fruit for the rest of my life, I would pick…
Watermelon. It’s a family favorite here. We live near a city that claims they are the watermelon capital of the world. They do grow them big and sweet.
Watermelon just takes like sugary water to me. Lol!
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be…
Lighten up, you’re way too sensitive, and don’t stop taking piano lessons.
I hear that last one a lot!
When I was a child, I wanted to be a…
Mommy. My sister was ten years older than me and I loved playing with my niece and nephew when they were babies. I didn’t have children of my own until I was thirty. It was rough waiting so long because I’ve always loved children.
My fourteen-year-old is already starting to say she can’t wait to be a mother!!
My ideal place to read would be…
In a hammock on a private beach.
Nice!
Okay, so let’s get down to business. What sparked the idea for this story?
I wanted to create a story with characters that were very different from one another to see how hard it would be to get opposites to attract.
Could you introduce us to your main characters and give us a few adjectives you think best describe them?
Hayden Dawson is an ex-scout who has returned home to run the family ranch. He’s experienced some tragic events in his life that have left physical and emotional scars. Although he’s a bit rough around the edges he has strong moral values.
Lilly Fletcher is a governess in charge of three orphaned children. Her mission is to deliver them to their uncle. She’s dedicated and caring, but a lonely childhood has left her independent and distant. Her views are based on rules and traditions, but her heart is softened, and her view of life changed by the journey up Cold Creek Mountain.
Lilly is a city girl working as a governess, and Hayden is a scout and a rancher. Which of these characters did you find it easier to identify with and why?
I can identify a little bit with both. Like Hayden I had a great childhood. Otherwise I lean more toward Lilly. Like the governess, I love children and feel more comfortable with them.
If you were a character in this story, what would you have found most challenging?
I would find it very challenging to forego many of today’s modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing, central heating, and air conditioning. As much as I enjoy reading and writing about the era, it would have been very hard to live during that time.
What surprised you about these characters or their story as you wrote?
I knew from the start Hayden had many close friends in town because he grew up in the small community. It wasn’t until near the end of the story that I realized how well loved he was by everyone. He really is the town hero.
Lilly’s character grew and developed the most in the story. I was proud of her ability to meet trouble head on. She realized her flaws and adjusted well to change. She was in a much happier place by the end of the story.
What did you learn from these characters as you wrote their story?
That’s a very thought-provoking question. There is a scene at the end of the book that makes me teary-eyed every time I read it. Hayden and Lilly share what they admire the most about the other. As they listen to their soul mate describe what they consider to be the other’s strength each is surprised to learn this about themselves. I realized other people probably aren’t as critical of me as I am. It is interesting to see how a person views themselves compared to how others view them.
Do you have a favourite scene or an excerpt you would like to share with us?