Wednesday, December 18, 2019

While the Rain Whispered, Kim Williams


Yep, it's another Wahoo Wednesday . . . 
Please welcome author Kim Williams
with a unique type of Character Interview.

The day is yours, Kim!



My latest release, While the Rain Whispered, is the final book in my Letters to Layton trilogy that begins with the award-winning Among the Crepe Myrtles. The trilogy is based on love letters from my great grandfather to my great grandmother. He begs for forgiveness and to be reunited with her and their baby. Although the story of their romance and tragedy is locked in their generation, true-life revealed its ending. The letters created a beautiful beginning to a fiction series laced with truth. Though each book is a story unto itself, together the series spans the years 1916-1938.  As I set out to write the third book, I spent time interviewing some of the characters. Below is part of my interview with Wallace James, who becomes the male protagonist in While the Rain Whispered.


K: Hello, Wallace.

W: Howdy.

K:  I’ve favored you—even in drafts that didn’t get used. I write you the way I feel about my grandfather—I recall him as a big teddy bear with a big smile. So let’s talk and see what emerges. He runs his hand over his mechanic’s uniform then clears his throat.

K: Readers met you as a young boy in book two, When the Butterflies Dance. You were polite, kind, and respectful. You appeared hard-working helping your father with the family business. We learned that as a young teen you began to run the local auto repair. Now as a twenty-four-year old man, how would you best describe yourself?

W:  I hope I’m still respectful and kind. I know I am still a hard-worker. The auto repair business grew along with the town until the Depression set in. I think I am fair. Seems I have the best temperament for handling an upset customer. He smirks. Anyway, I reckon folks would say I’m quiet, even though I’m a big man with a booming voice. I’m honest. I’m content.

K: Perhaps I should test that contentment?

W: He smiles. I’d rather you don’t.

K: What do you do for fun?

W: I still love to rabbit hunt with Pa. You know I been doing that since I was a young boy. I make a pretty tasty rabbit stew.

K: You believe in God?

W: Yessum. That never changed as I grew. I love church. I love the brush arbor meetings that come to the county. Are you gonna tell folks about those type of meetin’s?

K: Well, I don’t know. Let’s see where the story takes us in that regard. Wallace rolls his eyes.

W: Who’s in charge here?

K: I smile. The story.  What’s something you’d like to do that you haven’t already? How do you plan to do it?

W: Well, me and my friend, Henry, talk about going in together to buy used cars and set up a small used car lot.  I could make sure the cars get in good shape. Henry’s got the people skill and business know-how.  Truth is, this dream takes some spare money, and neither of us got that right now. If I did, I have better things to spend it on.

K: Mind sharing what that would be?

W: A family.

K:  Oh. I wondered why you aren’t married. Have someone in mind? I wink, knowing full well I ‘d bet this book on the fact that he loves Clara Williams.


W: I hadn’t married cause the girl I love just turned a respectable age to propose to.

K: Clara?

W: Yessum.  My heart went to my throat years ago when I saw her in the Justice store mumbling over a Hershey Bar. She was turning five. I was twelve.

K: Clara. Do you think she has feelings for you?

W: She’s spunky with most everyone, including me, but when it comes to romance, she holds back.  But I see her looking at me when we’re not alone. I’m growing weary of being just a friend. She knows I care about her ‘cause I told her. She said that makes her happy and that she cares for me too. I’m ready to tell her I love her and want to marry her, seeing she’s almost eighteen.

K: Do I hear wedding bells in your future? I raise my eyebrows at him.

W: If you’re a good writer, you do. We both laugh. Seriously though, Clara’s got a restlessness inside her, and I hope I can fill it. Can you make that happen? I shrug my shoulders. After all, the story is in charge. Losing Clara —that would test my contentment. Probly’ kill it. He points a thick finger my way and shakes it up and down.

K: What do you fear?

W: Well, mam, right now I suppose I most fear money running out and my business closing cause people can’t afford to buy autos or keep gas in the ones they have.

K: What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you?

W: Can’t pick just one:  Jesus. Ma & Pa. Meeting Clara.

K: Well, is there anything you want to say to me before I start on this book? I see a smile spread on his face and remember why I wrote him to be a big ole teddy bear.

W: I hope you’ll put me with the love of my life. My beautiful lady that’s been kissed by an angel. And please keep me honorable. Not perfect, but honorable. His comment stirs my heart. I make a promise, but not out loud. I offer Wallace a grin.

K: Is there anything you want to say to readers before we end our interview?

W: The folks in my town of Layton are simple people for the most part, with their fair share of pain and joy. I think readers will care about ‘em as much as I do.

Well said, Wallace James.



About the Author:

A former school teacher, Kim Williams has spent the past twenty-five-plus years on staff at her local church, First Baptist Woodstock, overseeing ministry to young children. Kim has traveled in both the US and abroad conducting training in leadership, discipleship to women, parenting, and ministry to children. She had a desire to write for a long time; one day her story met her head-on, and she got busy making words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into chapters. The result is her Letters to Layton Christian Romance Series. The series is based on discovered love letters from her great grandfather to his wife. He is begging for forgiveness and restoration with her. Their true romance and remains sealed in their generation, leaving room for a fictional account. The first book in the series, Among the Crepe Myrtles, won the IAN 2019 Award in the Christian Fiction category.

Kim resides in the Atlanta metro area with her husband, whom she met the summer after fifth grade. They have two grown children who are educators and who have the best spouses a parent could hope for. Kim and her husband are also grandparents to an adorable little boy. Kim is a member of ACFW and AWSA, In addition to her social media, she can be found on Goodreads, Bookbub, and All Authors.

Find Kim online:

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