Local resident Dee Jones has always had a way with words. As a young girl, she found solace in poetry, crafting verses that danced across the page. Little did she know that her passion for writing would one day lead her to a magical journey as Mrs. Claus.
“Writing is my escape from reality. I usually start a book by thinking of a title and forming the story behind it.“
After years of honing her craft, Dee Jones began writing novels, captivating readers with her vivid storytelling. But it was during the holiday season that her true calling emerged. As a grandmother, she yearned to share the magic of Christmas with her grandchildren. Disappointed by the commercialization of the holiday, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
“For my Santa books, I hope that the child will discover a love for poetry. I want the child to get lost in the pictures and to enjoy reading, which is why everything is simple and easy to read. I have bright colorful pictures that will attract any age and I try to add blank pages for the child to draw in the book, and make the book a personal treasure.“
Inspired by her husband’s transformation into Santa Claus, Dee Jones embraced the role of Mrs. Claus. Together, they brought joy to countless children, spreading holiday cheer through their appearances at schools, churches, and community events.
“For me, being Mrs. Claus is a wonderful part of Christmas. It brings the lady out in the forefront of the story, and shows all children there is someone supporting Santa and making certain he stays on track.“
To further enhance the Christmas experience, Dee Jones began writing children’s books. Her charming stories, filled with colorful illustrations and rhyming verses, have captivated young readers and sparked a love of reading. She believes that books can be a powerful tool to ignite imagination and foster a sense of wonder.
“I wanted to give children something for their hands to do that didn’t involve video games, cellphones or electronics. I am in the process of writing a third book about a broken candy cane, a little story I created when children didn’t want to take a candy cane that was broken.“
When she’s not spreading holiday cheer or writing children’s books, Dee Jones is hard at work on her adult novels. She draws inspiration from everyday life, weaving intricate plots and unforgettable characters. Her dedication to her craft is evident in every word she writes.
“As for my writing, all of my books have a strong, independent, loyal female lead. I try to add a lot of me into my characters but I find a lot of my mother in them as well. She was a single mother raising 3 children during the 1960’s and 1970’s when there were a few five letter words for women who weren’t married with children. She had to be strong and brave, which is what all my characters are. They are also very intelligent, but I will brag on my academic background for that. I was always an honor student with a 4.0 GPA. Even though my characters are smart, they aren’t the brainy, arrogant type of person, and I hope I’m not either.“
As the holiday season approaches, Dee Jones and her husband continue to embody the spirit of Christmas. Their commitment to spreading joy and making the world a better place is a testament to their kind hearts and unwavering belief in the magic of the season.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus, just as Jim and Dee Jones, compliment each other. We’re an extension of each other. What Santa doesn’t remember, Mrs. Claus does, and vice versa. Mrs. Claus tries to get the names of the children before Santa sees them, then passes those names on to the man in red. Mrs. Claus also hands Santa the presents, the books, or the candy canes for each child and makes certain he has plenty on hand for all the children, regardless of the age.“
