James Adkins was writing his book years before he first put words on paper.
Children Of The Holler – Growing Up In Rush, Kentucky, by James A. Adkins, recalls a time when daily life was considerably tougher than it is today.
“I always wanted to write a book but never had the time or resources,” Adkins said in a recent Carter County Post interview – when he became the first to person to sit down for a chat in the “new news” office.
The part-time driving instructor said a student motivated him to find time for his book, by explaining options with online publishing companies.
“I said, ‘Well, I think I’ll give it a shot,” he said.
Raised in the Carter County community of Rush, Adkins is a member of the Prichard High School Class of 1968, Adkins did not rely on high-tech tools and instead used three or four yellow legal pads to hand write his manuscript.
“I honestly thought it would take me all winter … and I took a trip back in time,” he said, estimating he required only about 50 hours to complete the book as his memories came flooding back.
“That book is a testimony of my childhood. Writing the first half was easy. The second half I had to start thinking on things.”
A collection of stories spanning from Adkins’ entering first grade in a one-room schoolhouse until his family moved to Barboursville, West Virginia when was 18 years old “Children Of The Holler – Growing Up In Rush, Kentucky” can be ordered online.
“Just go to Amazon and type in the name under books,” Adkins advised.
Story and Photo by TIM PRESTON
Your book sounds interesting James, I may order one. I wish you the best of luck. Young people could learn a lot from ‘old codgers’ like us, if they would read…but they need an app for that. 🙂
Recieved your book yesterday, finished today with my morning coffee. I just loved it. I could visualize every place you lived and worked. I hated for it to end. I was born in ’55 grew up in the ’60’s. We were lower middle class in Southern CA. I too had a wonderful childhood.
I agree with you about today’s children, if they had just a little taste of the past.
Myself, husband 3 children, 5 grandchildren live in Western KY and lower TN.
Thanks again for a wonderful book. Hope to see more of your writings.
Charlene