FAQ

What is the story about?

This story is about Cathryn Jeans Seals who was my grandmother. It tells of her life as a child growing up on a pecan farm in Texas, her growing up years, marriage, parenting years and golden years. It follows her love of Jesus, preaching, people, music, sewing and cooking. It also tells of her love of hats. Starting in 1904 the story begins in Texas and takes us to California, Iowa, Minnesota and Washington.
Why did you want to write this book?

I was impacted by my grandmother in my early childhood years before she passed away. As I got older, I realized what a remarkable woman she was. I hoped that people would be encouraged by hearing her story.
Is it a biography?

It is based on her life but since she was born in 1896, over one hundred years ago, I was not present for those events or conversations. So technically you cannot call it a biography. However, most of the story is true. In the front of the book is a long list of the stories that were passed down through family members, friends who knew her or from my own memories. The rest is filled in with deductive reasoning, probability and imagination.
How did you prepare to write this story?

Wanting to do it justice, I interviewed people who knew her when they were children and those who knew her when they were adults. I included stories that I remembered as a child and asked family members to share stories they remembered. I researched county records, church archives, newspapers and periodicals. In addition, I made numerous calls to universities, churches, district offices, county records and tax assessment offices to gather factual information and specific dates. I was very diligent in my research because I wanted to be so very careful with her life story.
Why did you choose this character to write about?

I actually started out writing my mom’s story but in telling about her family of origin, I realized I was including so many facts about Grandma Seals that it wasn’t my mother’s story at all. In fact, it was the beginning of the book that is now my grandma’s story, Seasons of Song and Sorrow.
Your book states you were not related to Mrs. Seals, so how did you come to call her your grandmother?

Well, that is another book or two, but I’ll try to make a long story a short one. I was raised by my aunt and uncle, Chrystell and Earl Wordsworth after my parents died in a plane crash in 1960. Chrystell was the daughter of Cathryn Seals. So, when Chrystell became my new mom, Cathryn Seals became my new grandma.
Have you always wanted to write?

As a child I wrote poetry, very bad poetry I might add, and I made up stories. I loved writing as a child and throughout my school years. When I became a mom, I used to create stories every night for my daughter after she gave me a few words to go on like color, number, place, name and animal. Out of that, children’s novels were created and taped which I still have. I have kept journals and diaries since I was in fifth grade. Over the years, I have taken writing courses and entered several writing contests. In addition, I have done some editing and a book revision, so yes, I would say I have always loved to write.
What books do you still want to write?

My mom’s story, (not my birth mom) but the mom who raised me since I was four years old. She has an amazing story that I still think needs to be told. My daughter also insists I should put her childhood stories on paper as well as my own life story. Also, I've started to write a devotional book. So, we’ll see where this journey takes me.
What are your favorite kinds of books to read?

The first book I reach for in the morning is the Bible because that is my life book. On my bookshelf you will also find; poetry, murder mysteries, historical novels, cookbooks, biographies, logic puzzles and sudoku, as well as Bible commentaries, dictionaries, books on writing and how to books on tatting and crafts. Some of my favorite books are ones about Helen Keller, anything by Jane Austen and of course Beatrix Potter.
Where did you write your book and how long did it take you to write?

In December of 2022, I had some free time while I was convalescing from a broken ankle. Looking for something to do, I started writing about my grandmother, adding to the few paragraphs I had written six months before. For five months I wrote almost every day until half the book was finished. Then I moved to Oregon to help with a family member who was ill. I took the summer off then slowly finished the book over the next seven months. So, you could say it is a multi-state compilation.
When will your next book be published?

I have started writing my mom's story which will take some months, but hopefully not another year. A devotional book is already in the works, which will likely be finished first. I don't have an exact timeline yet but will be posting it on the website when the next book is ready.