Find James and his books at www.jamesmitchelldouglas.ca!
James (Jim) Douglas is a retired school teacher who lives in Enniskillen Township, Petrolia, Ontario. He lives with his wife Karen, who is also a retired teacher, as well as their youngest daughter. The couple also has four older children. Jim has always had a consuming love for the outdoors and to this day, continues to hunt, fish, trap and train hunting dogs.
His first connection to writing creatively came in the 1960’s when his English teacher told him he had a knack for writing. Although Jim was not a model student, the compliment always stayed with him. When he was eighteen he started to play the guitar and immediately began to write his own songs because it just seemed the natural thing to do. Over the years, other poems and writings were created.
In the early 1980’s, his first magazine article called “How I Train a Coon Dog” was published and when letters started coming in from all over North America, it had a very positive impact upon his life. The next article he wrote was in the late 1990’s and it also was published. The 800 and some dollars he received for this one again was also a positive. Could it be true that his English teacher from long ago had been right?
After retirement, he wrote the introduction of a story and read it to his friend, Wayne. The friend listened and then looked at him and said, “Great beginning. I want to hear the rest of the story. Write a book.”
The challenge was accepted and a few months later a novel called ‘Vigliante Justice’ was finished and the characters of Davie Meadows, Katrina, Barbara and Griz had been created. This book was followed up with a sequel called ‘Sharpshooter: The Sins of Greed’. Jim continues to write, and more novels are on the horizon, soon to be published.
As well as writing, Jim continues to train dogs, substitute teach, hunt, fish, trap and participate in the activities that the forests and streams offer up. He loves to teach others, especially his grandchildren, about the natural world he loves.
NEW! Jim's thoughts on his novel, 'To the Far Green Mountains' and his new book, 'The Valley of Giants'
From a 2018 perspective, I would suppose that many potential readers could ask themselves the question, “Why would an author choose the early 1800’s and the Rocky Mountains for a time frame and setting to write a novel and why is there so much violence?” The reasons are not as hard to understand as one might think. As an author, I had to deal with four major issues that might help today’s generation evaluate the scenario from the perspective of our forefathers. I am also convinced that when all things are considered, this novel quite easily fits into the category of adventure/history/ Christianity/religion. The reasons are clear.
1: What were the differences of society at that time as compared to how we think today? Why do people not see the negative sides of their errors? This problem is as relevant today as it was in 1826.
2: What were the methods the government used to cause hatred between settlers and native people and what was the final result? Are we still suffering because of it today?
3: How could a group of Mountain Men who were strong, believing Christians, actually be willing to fight and kill so that they could continue trapping while living in the freedoms of the wilderness? In short, what is justifiable war? When do we step over the line?
4: What did a new country, whose rules were based on freedom and equality for all, have to offer that was so attractive to literally millions of immigrants who had basically lived their whole lives in two class cultures under the leadership of tyrannical governments? The United States was a free, democratically controlled country at this time.
There was also controlled immigration to Canada because it was still under the authority of the monarchy and the Hudson Bay Company. Corruption and upper-class power still tended to rule the day and most people did not want to be controlled by a monarch.
CONCLUSION:
If a reader takes the time to read the content, as well as think between the lines, there will come an understanding of the power that evil can have upon a society as well as the fact that the truth and only the truth is the correct way to deal with it. The only way to right a wrong is to do what’s right. It also holds true that two rights never create a wrong while two wrongs lead to a path where evil usually wins the day.
The seven main characters of this book have to face all of the issues mentioned above and once you get to know them through their adventures, thoughts, discussions, etc., it is easy to see that they do not take life lightly while, in truth, they spend a great deal of time meditating deeply about the war between good and evil while doing their best to deal with it realistically in an untamed land.
