Has a road trip ever inspired you to more? Jean Ann Williams chats about a road trip that inspired a whole book, one of her best sellers! See what you think about this? It intrigues me, for sure!

Road Trip of Delusion was born from a conversation.

My father-in-law had passed away, and my husband, Jim, and I went to California for the memorial and to take care of business for my mother-in-law. We asked Mom several times to please come back to Oregon with us for a long visit as we did not want her to live alone.

My two granddaughters, Mom, and I were in the living room during the last hour before Jim and I would leave for Oregon. Once again, I invited Mom to come home with us. She stared at me but said not a word. Finally, I said, “Mom, if you change your mind, I don’t care how close we get to Oregon. Call us, and we will come back to pick you up.”

Mom pursed her lips and said, “Well, I might drive myself.”

I blinked and pointed at my two granddaughters. “You better bring them with you.”

My statement echoed in my mind, and a story began to form as excitement moved through me. I said nothing more, but I couldn’t wait to climb into the car, grab my laptop, and strap on my seatbelt.

On the five-hundred-mile trip home, I began writing the first draft of Road Trip of Delusion. My mind jumped easily from one scene to another. The characters took flight on the page. The only research I did was to visit the closed-down restaurant that served as the main setting and to examine a snowplow inside and out.

Many of the details in the story came from my own experiences, which made it especially fun to write. I already knew how to use a wood cookstove since I had grown up with one. I’d also lived in Pismo Beach, California area, where the story begins. Like my characters, I’ve traveled Interstate 5 between California and Oregon since I was nine years old. I even drove a car when I was fifteen in the woods behind our house—and got stuck in the creek. My dad was very forgiving, because I was very sorry!

Throughout the writing process, I laughed out loud at my characters’ antics. I also used some traits of my three granddaughters and my mother-in-law, which I believe made this story sparkle. I made sure all my characters grew and softened throughout their difficult and sometimes fun adventure on the road.

My characters had to rummage through the pantry and cupboards of the restaurant kitchen. They ate a lot of popcorn! When I was a child, our large family was extremely poor and relied on government assistance foods. When the pantry was all but empty, we ate popcorn and fried onion rings for several days before we could pick up our next months’ food supply.

It took me years to find the right cover for Road Trip of Delusion, as the first two covers weren’t the best fit for this story. I can’t say enough about how important a perfect and well-made cover is for a book. When I found this third and final cover, my sales began to increase after having been almost nonexistent.

When I do book signings, I make sure to tell folks Road Trip of Delusion is my number one bestseller. I tell them how the story came about, and that’s when they pick up the book, and the cover makes their eyes go wide.

Want a copy for yourself? Order through Jean Ann’s website and she’ll send you a signed copy, postage included!

Road Trip of Delusion

Fifteen-year-old Kari Rose discovers how much trouble she and her two sisters can get into when they stay at their ancient granny’s for spring break. Granny gets a wild-haired notion at three in the morning, and she’s leaving with or without them. Kari makes the decision to take her sisters and ride with Granny in her old Cadillac on a five-hundred-mile-long trip north to visit family. Miles down the road, this harmless act finds Granny no longer able to drive, and Kari must take the wheel. Soon after, the four travelers are caught in a freeway-closing-down snowstorm which brings everyone and everything to a standstill.

A second blizzard with catastrophic impact is about to descend upon them, and Kari must determine the best way to find shelter and beat the storm. Will Kari trust her gut instincts and rely upon a snow plow guy to lead them to safety?

Jean Ann Williams lives on the Coast of Oregon with her husband Jim. She began her writing career by reading a stack of books on the craft of writing. Since then, Jean Ann has published over 300 articles and short stories on the topics of Christianity, health, travel, relationships, family life, and Sunday school take-home papers. She has published twelve books. Currently, on their Fowl Play Farm, Jean Ann cares for two ducks, six chickens, Kitty-Kitty the cat and two mastiffs, Wallace & Bear. In her free time, she enjoys reading inspirational books, gardening, and playing Scrabble with her grandchildren. Sometimes Nana wins.

To learn more about Jean Ann Williams visit her on www.jeanannwilliamsauthor.com

Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators; American Christian Fiction Writers; Allen Hancock College