Interview with Delia Truitt: Main Character Monday

Interview with Delia Truitt: Main Character Monday

Welcome to Main Character Monday and my interview with Delia Truitt. Delia joins us from What Brings Us Joy by Teresa Wells. What Brings Us Joy is available now in both eBook and paperback from Scrivenings Press. We’ll share more about the book in a bit, but for now, let’s begin our interview with Delia Truitt.

Delia, thank you for joining me today. Let’s start this Main Character Monday with a bit more information about yourself.

My name is Delia Truitt, and I pride myself on being a modern woman: fashionable, ambitious, and innovative. After all, I am the only woman in Blooming Grove, Texas, whose mode of transportation is a bicycle. I’m also the only woman who sports bloomers when riding my two-wheeler. For the sake of decency, I immediately cover said bloomers with an overskirt when arriving at my destination, which is mostly my aunt and uncle’s dry goods store in town.

Perhaps my greatest accomplishment lies in the artful way I practice my sewing skills. Some call me an Expert Needlewoman, a title I humbly accept.

It might shock your readers to know that I am a crazy quilter. I know you might have heard the term scorned, especially by men who jest in the most demeaning of ways, such as this: “Crazy women, crazy quilters, it’s all the same.” Or this insipid joke: Question: What’s an insane bureau? Answer: A piece of furniture where one stores crazy quilts. My two older brothers share these so-called clever sayings, reminding me that most women make bed quilts, not flimsy silk patchwork items meant for aesthetic appreciation instead of warmth.

They also tell me I’m in dire need of cooking lessons if I’m going to catch a husband. Really, in these modern times of 1895, must a woman be a slave to the kitchen? I think not. Fine with me if I never marry. I have no need of a man to order me about, demanding a clean house and three unscorched meals a day.

Although, I must say, after meeting Clarence Parker, my progressive views in this area might have softened a bit.

Although you’ve already shared what I would consider surprising, is there anything else you can share that readers may find surprising?

Because of my family’s recent downturn of fortune—we had to auction off almost everything we own and come all the way to Texas to work on a rundown farm—I cannot abide waste. When people purchase new shoes, they simply leave the old ones behind in my uncle’s dry goods store. Uncle Robert says to throw them in the rubbish bin. But I can’t bring myself to do it. Surely there are families like mine who find themselves in rather challenging circumstances, who could use these perfectly good shoes.

Please don’t tell Uncle Robert.

Your secret is safe with me. Let’s talk faith for a few minutes. What is your favorite book in the New Testament and why?

I’ve always held the book of Philemon close to my heart. I appreciate the Apostle Paul’s desire to take up for Onesimus, a slave who ran away from his master, Philemon. Paul does the right thing and sends him back to his master, but makes it clear the only thing for Philemon to do is consider Onesimus his brother, not his slave. I do wish I knew how things turned out. But I like to think Paul’s persuasive words and his influence as an apostle paved the way toward full acceptance of his brother in Christ, Onesimus.

That, and it’s a two page book.

I can appreciate that. Philemon is much easier than reading, say, Leviticus. God called Gideon to lead his army. Gideon didn’t believe he could, but he trusted and did as God asked. Have you ever felt like you weren’t equipped to do what God asked you to do? What did you do?

Oh, my, yes! I could tell you any number of times I’ve faltered when prompted to follow God’s leading. But perhaps the most memorable was when we stood by and watched our treasures auctioned away to pay our debts.

I couldn’t stand the prospect of watching our belongings walk away in the hands of strangers and friends. I was angry. Hurt. It was so unfair. I wanted to run far away and never look back.

But when the time for the auction came, I felt the Lord wanted me to use my notorious strong will for His good. I must help my family bear up under trying circumstances and lend my strength to those who needed it. That day, I held my weeping mother as we Truitts stood together and tearfully watched the pieces of our once prosperous lives disappear like dandelion seeds on a breeze. We had nothing. Yet we had everything.

What a wonderful outlook. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Is there one of these you find easier to accomplish? Is one harder?

Perhaps you’ve heard of the somewhat strained relationship I share with Gert Waldrop. Actually, I consider her my nemesis. Always trying to outperform me. Really, you wouldn’t believe some of the unbelievable pranks she’s—oh, I beg your pardon. Back to the question. It’s rather difficult to treat certain females with kindness. My sense of justice screams out every time she—never mind. Screaming justice is probably not what the Lord requires.

Perhaps I should just say this: every word of Micah 6:8 is challenging. Especially when it comes to Gert Waldrop!

Hmm. Sounds like there’s a lot more to that story, but I won’t press. If you could leave readers with one message, what would it be?

Let the ones you love have greater importance than the things you love.

A beautiful message. Now, let’s change gears for a minute of fun. Here are a few light-hearted questions. If you could have one exotic pet, what would it be?

A parrot! Imagine how the colorful feathers would brighten a room!

If you could travel through time, would you?

Most assuredly not! The very idea seems far-fetched.:

Sunrise or sunset?

I adore the beauty of a sunset.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Oh, chocolate! What an extravagance!

No electricity or no plumbing?

This gives me pause. Both electricity and indoor plumbing are such luxuries. I live without both, you know, situated as we are on a dilapidated farm far from big-city conveniences. However, I would rather have indoor plumbing and never again face the prospect of an outdoor toilet.

My apologies for not taking that into consideration. Now, one last question, if you’ll permit it. Given three words, how would you describe Teresa Wells?

Three words? Impossible. –good cook (harrumph!) –woman-voter (who sometimes takes this for granted! The nerve!)–hopeless seamstress (bless her heart)

Thank you Delia for taking time out of your day for this interview. I look forward to getting to know you more through your story. Speaking of What Brings Us Joy, readers, please stick with us a little longer. We’re going to meet Teresa Wells, and then, I’ll share a bit more about the book.

More About Teresa Well

A former teacher and librarian, Teresa Wells treasures a story threaded with redemption and hope. She loves people, history, and studying the Bible. Teresa is a member of Novel Academy and American Christian Fiction Writers Association, where she volunteers behind the scenes. She lives with her family outside of Dallas, Texas. What Brings Us Joy is her first novel.

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More About What Brings Us Joy

In 1895, eighteen-year-old Delia Truitt’s world is shattered when circumstances force her family to leave their comfortable life in Georgia and relocate to a ramshackle Texas farm. Determined to help her parents dig out of their impoverished state, she plans to open a dressmaker’s shop—if she can win the county fair quilt contest and fund her business with the prize money. Delia sets her sights on success—until her heart takes an unexpected detour when she meets handsome Clarence Parker.

Determined to uphold his reputation, Clarence refuses to let his troubled past overshadow his pursuit of happiness, especially when he falls for the spirited and fearless Delia Truitt. His hopes are soon shattered when headlines reveal that his former gang members have escaped prison and are headed his way, driven by a ruthless desire for revenge. Though Clarence has no regrets about testifying against the outlaws, he fears his future with Delia is at risk. To protect her from the lurking danger, he’s willing to risk everything—his safety, his reputation, and their happiness.

Can Clarence keep her safe from the killers? And will Delia still love him once she learns
the truth about his past?

Purchase What Brings Us Joy