A Dream to Create: the Reality-based fiction of Wilson James, author

I want to share what I was thinking when I had the idea that I could write what I've come to call, 'the Reality-based fiction of Wilson James, author,' intended for Young Adults and others. So, I have created a small poster that really speaks to how I have felt about creating my works of Young Adult fiction. It rather goes with the saying that, "Dream as though you're going to live forever. Live every day as though it's going to be your last."

So, what I would say, as a corollary, is, "If you have a dream to create, then do it. Now. Don't wait."

In some ways, I feel like a had a dream to write, and I have lived that dream. If you have a dream, then do all you can to make it come true.

Thanks for dropping by my blog, and

Happy Reading.

Wil

The Books of Wilson James, author -- The Author's View of What and Why

It's been a while since I published anything new, and I still have hopes to do more, especially as I have some ideas for sequels, and new books. Even as I sometimes wonder if I did the right thing, in the end I'm still glad that I wrote and shared my stories.

My writing

I started writing some years ago and made the decision to publish back in 2009. I suppose, initially, my impetus was to use fiction to change non-fiction events. I saw things happening, in the world, and I wondered what might have been. How might the event have turned out differently? It was, in a sense, my attempt to insert my own “if only” or “what if?”

Generally, as a rule, my fictional view of events turned out to have a happier ending, and that thinking pervades throughout my books. Of course, there are tragedies, as well, but overall the story endings conclude on a positive note. That is, of course, how I hope life would always be. Fiction is whatever we want to make it. In our fictional world, we can do anything we want.

I also know, alas, that life does not turn out that way. I have, in my writing, tried to base my stories on some reality. I can say that all of my characters are based on real people, young or old, and their actions are based on real accomplishments.

The books

The various books encompass a variety of activities, events, and characters. They all stand on their own. In many cases, I have had ideas for sequels, but other new stories always seemed to get in the way, and none of the sequels have been finished.

The common themes of the stories are those of courage, accomplishment, tenacity, faith, love and mutual support. The stories tell of those who persevere against unusual or unreasonable odds, but almost always with the strength of family and friends. It is that ideal, that we can accomplish things together and achieve goals, that I would hope readers take away from the books.

For the future

The books have reached tens of thousands of readers, and it is my hope they will reach many more. I also hope that they will have some kind of positive impact on some who may read them, and perhaps give a few readers strength by giving examples of how things could be. More than anything, though, I would wish the stories are read and enjoyed, in the current day and long after I am gone.

Life is complicated

As we go through this life, we sometimes take moments to thing about our lives -- how we live, and how we deal with the world around us. Certainly, I have done so. And, yes, the characters in my books have done so. Perhaps, then, it is appropriate to conclude this post with this thought: "We cannot change many of the things around us, in our lives; but we can change the way we feel about those things."

Many thanks, and

Happy reading.

Wil

On Fathers' Day, the ask: What kind of a Father?

 A Reprise of my most-read Fathers' Day Essay

As a person, I have observed many examples of ‘fathers’ and regrettably more bad than good. It's complicated, of course, as is so much of human existance. But, in the end, I believe a good father does the best he can - but also strives to learn and improve. If I have regrets in this life, it might include that I was not as good a father as I wish to have been. I hope that I am improving. I hope I am becoming more like the best of the fictional fathers I have created. 

As an author, I have often created characters in a father role.  In certain of my books, the father is described after his death. In Playing the Baseball Card, the protagonist describes his father as a man who ‘made sure that his children were the most important part of his life.’

In Aiden’s Arrival: Honor Before Gold, a now-grown son describes a man who assumed a father’s role by marrying a women with two young children.  “None of us; my mother, my sister, my nephew, my niece; were related to our father and grandfather by blood, but that didn’t matter to him.  He showed us, by his example, that family is about loving people, and caring about people, and living together in a supportive way.  Not always in harmony, but always caring about your family more than anything else.  He lived that kind of life, and today we carry on with that legacy.”

In Zac and the Reluctant Prince, Book 1 of the Prince David series, the father is described this way:  “The example of his life teaches us the lessons of responsibility, obligation, commitment, dedication, loyalty, patriotism and also compassion.  In his life, he strove to be the best son he could be, the best husband he could be, the best father he could be, the best officer he could be, and the best man he could be.”

If you know your father, what do you think of him? If you knew your father, how do you remember him?

I believe a real father is one who looks into the eyes of his children, and says to them, “My life improved the day you came into my life, and my life gets better every day that you are still in my life.”  I also believe a real father is the kind of role model I’ve described in the excerpts from my books, above. 

If you have the chance to be a father, or if you are a father, how do you want to be remembered? 

To all fathers, everywhere, Happy Fathers’ Day.

... Wil ...