Coming in March 2012: Go Down Looking

Jim Ainsworth: Writing what he knows, remembering what he loves
Saturday, 08 October 2011 10:53 By TERRY MATHEWS, News-Telegram Arts Editor

Author Jim Ainsworth writes what he knows. Maybe that’s why the Delta County native has enjoyed such a good run with his Rivers family series. “Go Down Looking,” (Tate Publishing) the fifth story chronicling the childhood of Jake Rivers, is set for release in May of 2012.

Ainsworth has long acknowledged the series is based on his childhood during the 1950s drought that ravaged Northeast Texas. He grew up in a dogtrot house with no indoor plumbing, riding horses, milking cows, picking cotton and sharing a bedroom with his brothers – Tuck, a toddler who communicates with animals, and Gray Boy, a true rebel without a cause.

On Thursday night, Oct. 13, Friends of the Sulphur Springs Public Library will host “An Evening with Jim Ainsworth.” The event will feature an informal interview with the popular writer. More....

Author Jim Ainsworth Shares His
Life and Work With Readers, Thursday Night
by: Bobby McDonald

For those readers of Northeast Texas Author, Jim Ainsworth's work, Thursday night was a real treat as they gathered at the Sulphur Springs Public Library for the Friends of the Library sponsored "A Night With Jim Ainsworth." Reared in his early life in Delta County and making a journey to the Panhandle of Texas, before coming back to Commerce, Ainsworth discussed the events, characters, and life that inspired his books, as Terry Matthews asked questions and served as the moderator for Thursday night's event.

Ainsworth had mentioned to Trice Lawrence, a member of the Friends of the Library, that one of his favorite songs was Bob Wills' "Faded Love," thus Lawrence arranged for Hannah Kirby to be in the audience and provide the classic song on both the fiddle and vocals for Ainsworth and the audience. Of course, those that know Hannah were not surprised when she brought them "almost to tears" with her superb rendition of the hauntingly beautiful song. Receiving a large round of applause, Hannah informed the audience that she'd be performing on Saturday night at the 55th Anniversary Reilly Springs Jamboree.

Ainsworth took the stage and began an enjoyable journey through the writing process and characterization of his "Rivers Trilogy," that includes three books inspired by events during his formative years in both Northeast Texas and in the Panhandle. The trilogy begins with Rivers Flow, moves on to Rivers Crossing, and concludes with Rivers Ebb. However, to the delight of Thursday night's audience, Ainsworth announced the publishing of Go Down Looking, that will be available in May 2012, and complete the Rivers Family Saga. "People kept telling me that they wanted to know more and that I needed to 'wrap-up' the adventures, that I set about in my autobiographical-like series," expressed Ainsworth. "Thus, I've written this last segment in the series, but have already begun another book, with different characters, so this will be the last one in the series!"

Ainsworth told the crowd that most all of the events that happen in his books are true accounts that have been experienced by somebody. "Yes, I write fiction, but I'm always afraid not to use accounts that have actually happened, or my readers might not find them believable," expressed Ainsworth. "I like to find an unusual event and expound on it or a unique and different person to add to the story!"

Matthews explained that one of her favorite characters in the Rivers Trilogy was the grandfather, and asked Ainsworth to expound on him. "My grandfather was certainly an influence on my life and he was where I learned about 'the cowboy way,' as I grew up," explained Ainsworth. "I've got cousins in the audience to 'back me up' and they can attest to the uniqueness and characterization that I use in the books!"

Ainsworth also expressed his great gratitude for his parents and said that he lost his father at an early age, and that influenced him to begin the writing process. "I wanted my father and mother, who take on the lives of my characters in the Rivers Trilogy, to be remembered, with the great sacrifices and the times that they were required to 'struggle' through, thus that helped to aid me in writing the novels," said Ainsworth. "The older I got and more I realized just how difficult life had been for them, and how inspirational they had been, I began to want my children and grandchildren to understand their place in our family and how they had brought us forward in life!"

Ainsworth concluded his program as he shared a passage from his upcoming novel, Go Down Looking, and "left readers hanging" and eager to get the installment, due out in May 2012.

Ainsworth also told of how he obtained the inspiration for writing the historical accounts, Biscuits on the Brazos and Homelight Burning..