A Vernon writer and entrepreneur is offering a unique way for couples and their families to give each other a special gift – their own stories.
James Osborne writes couple’s love stories for them and their families.
“It’s a wonderful experience,” the former Parliament Hill journalist said recently. “For them and for me.”
He explained that among his first was the story of two high school sweethearts, forced apart 40 years ago when her father refused to allow them to marry. Brokenhearted, the couple went their separate ways. They married others, raised families and pursued careers. At middle age, both lost their spouses to illness. Then, one day they met by chance, went for coffee, exchanged histories and rediscovered their love.
“Stories like theirs are a powerful motivation,” Osborne said.
“It never ceases to amaze me how bringing couples’ love stories back to life rekindles that old spark. I see lots of smiles and shining eyes.”
Osborne said the love stories make unique gifts – to each other, to their families as the centerpiece for family histories, or families making gifts of the love stories to their parents to observe milestone anniversaries.
He gives credit for the idea to his wife, Sharolie, a professional counselor and life coach.
“It was a natural, I suppose,” he said. “One day, she reminded me of our own story. It’s about love lost and love found . . . one of those true-life ‘they lived happily ever after’ kinds of stories, I’m happy to say.
“But that’s another story,” he chuckled.
“And, yes, I’ve written it. The story’s called, Dragonflies and The Great Blue Heron and it’s posted for all the world to see on my blog, http://JamesOsborneNovels.com.”
Writing love stories for couples is a passion for Osborne, and an expansion of his writing repertoire.
He’s the author of more than 50 short stories, focused mostly on humor and adventure, as well as two novels, one a mystery and the other a suspense/thriller with the intriguing title, Building on Higher Principles.
Osborne was a journalist and senior editor for the Canadian Press in Ottawa and Edmonton, and then taught journalism at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton.
He later helped establish the School of Journalism at university of Regina and served two terms on that university’s senate.
Leaving journalism for the corporate world, he became a vice-president at Bell Canada before moving back west and semi-retiring.
