Behind the Book
Family Pictures and Stories that inspired New Creations
New Creations is a novel, not a memoir. It has quite a bit of fiction included, but I also wove in many family stories. My grandpa’s name is Douglas Floyd. The main character in the novel is Floyd Douglas. The 1960s storyline is “mostly true”. The 1990 storyline is taken from my memories as a child looking up to “Papa”. It’s emotionally true, but some of the details have been altered. The 2010 storyline is almost completely fiction (except for the blackberry story!) I hope you enjoy this look into the people who shaped this story.
My grandpa telling his famous painting story.
Did you really get a ticket coming home from paying a ticket?
His honeymoon drama.
How long did polio last for your family?
The Jesus Movement
Papa talks about meeting Nana for the first time.
My grandpa as a boy. His name is Douglas Floyd and he’s the inspiration behind the main character, Floyd Douglas.
About getting kicked out of seminary.
Looking back can you see how you made a difference?
Nana and Papa talk about their wedding. This was filmed in 2008.
Another picture of young “Floyd”.
His salvation story.
What one piece of advice would you give?
Nana talks about their salvation experience. This was filmed in 2008.
The inside of New Creations, my grandparent’s barbershop/hair salon.
The magazine rack and waiting area of New Creations.
The chairs in the back. This is where I used to entertain the older ladies with my singing and dancing.
The sinks where my grandma washed hair and did perms.
Look at my grandpa’s smile as he did his job.
My grandma worked at New Creations as well, doing hair for the females while my grandpa focused on the males.
My grandma
I love this picture of my grandparents. Look at that hair!
My grandparents.
My grandparents on vacation.
All dressed up.
My grandparents on their 40th anniversary.
My grandparents on their 50th anniversary.
A family picture when they my mom and uncle were teens. In the novel, I used their middle names. Their real names are Janet Marie and Robert Joseph.
My grandpa invented his own dance he used to do at parties called “The Barber Dance”. Here he’s pretending to cut hair.
Another version of The Barber Dance where he’s pretending to shave.
My grandma holding me. Look at her joy!
My grandma holding my daughter.
My grandpa’s seminary report card.
A bit later. You can see how his grades went down. He wasn’t cut out to be a priest!
Their wedding picture. The story of their two weddings is hilarious and true!
A picture of the whole family at their church wedding.
The family when my mom and uncle were young.
My grandparents and Papa’s mother with my uncle.
My grandpa sitting in his chair at the back of the shop, waiting for customers.
My grandparents holding me at New Creations front desk.
My grandpa as a baby.
My grandpa’s parents with him when he was a baby.
The hospital when my grandpa was born.
Another photo of my grandpa enjoying his job.
Me in my dance costume.
The sign at New Creations.