McWilliam sharing copies of ‘Jasper” at this year’s Junction Days event

An author in California with Red Oak ties will be offering a special gift during this year’s Junction Days celebration.
Jeb McWilliam will have a spot during the event on June 27, where he will be giving out some free copies of “Jasper,” a book he has recently written. McWilliam is the son of Bonnie Norris, a longtime resident of Red Oak.
“Bonniw, my mom, has lived in Red Oak off and on for around 20 years. She lived in California for a couple years with my sister prior to moving back to Red Oak maybe five years ago or so,” McWilliam said.
As for McWilliam, he lived in Phoenix, Ariz, and Chicago, Ill., prior to moving to California, but makes a regular trip to Red Oak each year.
“I always make it a point to come every year for Junction Days. It’s my getaway. I love Junction Days. I like to run in the five mile. I do that and I enjoy the parade and the festivities. It’s always a good event and there’s just a positive energy that goes along with it. There’s nothing like Junction Days here in California,” advised McWilliam.
A brief synopsis of McWilliam’s novel is as follows:
“Every road leads somewhere—but some roads test how far you’re willing to go. Chad Bolton has spent his life chasing speed. From dusty dirt tracks to the high-pressure world of professional stock-car racing, the roar of the engine is the only thing that quiets the chaos in his mind.
Racing gives him purpose and identity as he tries to outrun the past. But the past never goes away. Behind the trophies and headlines is a young man who carries the weight of trauma, addiction, and memories that refuse to stay buried. As injuries threaten his racing career and the pressures of the sport intensify, the life Chad built around speed begins to unravel.
Meanwhile, Jaime Scott is fighting battles of her own. A gifted singer determined to make a life through music, she is trying to build a future in the demanding world of Nashville. Beneath the ambition and determination lies her own struggle with uncertainty, emotional scars, and the constant pressure of surviving in a brutal industry that offers little security.
When their paths intersect in the quiet town of Jasper, both are forced to confront the realities they have been avoiding. As racing circuits, music stages, and long highways stretch between them, their lives become intertwined through moments of struggle, resilience, and difficult choices.
For Chad, the greatest battle may not be on the racetrack. For Jaime, the hardest challenge may be holding onto herself in a world that constantly demands more.
McWilliam said the title of the book, “Jasper” popped into his head during a time when he was writing country songs.
“We turned it into a song and then we turned it into a music video, and from there I got the idea to turn it into a screenplay. I had a movie idea but it was missing something. I had the up and coming singer in Nashville but my initial concept for the boyfriend was that he was on a pecan farm. I needed something else to add to the story, to turn it into a screenplay, something more of interest,” explained McWilliam. Around that time a NASCAR driver, Ross Chastain, did a video game-like maneuver during a race and swung his car around and beat a bunch of guys at the finish line. That got me to thinking, ‘what if I make this guy a NASCAR driver? And then I had my story.”
Since that initial concept, McWilliam said he’s been trying to make something happen with the screenplay.
“Screenplays are a dime a dozen. So I wasn’t getting anywhere with that, even though I have some connections in the business, so I decided to turn it into a book and I think with the book I have more potential to maybe get a movie deal down the road, though I’m still a long way from that. I enjoyed writing the book a lot more than I expected.  With the book, I was able to develop the characters and scenes in more detail, creating more of a connection with them.  There are feelings and emotions that come out that are not present in the screenplay,” commented McWilliam. “Also, writing the book was somewhat easy, because I already had the screenplay.
So with the screenplay, I used that as an outline. I had my whole story right there, it was just a matter of writing the book. Writing comes really naturally for me.”
Initially, McWilliam said he was going to simply set up a table, but mom Bonnie went to the Red Oak Chamber office and secured him a booth and a banner and all the other stuff he’ll need. He’s looking forward to the upcoming visit.
“It’s just a fun thing for me to do. Last year for the fun runs, they were really great. After the races there was a platform there in the town square and got to get on it and our pictures taken and we got our medals. I enjoy that stuff, and as I said, there’s just nothing like that going on out here.”
Copies are free for anyone that stops by the booth, but McWilliam will require one thing of visitors before they get their copy.
“To get a free copy, they just name their favorite NASCAR driver. Also, I’ll have some toy NASCARS at the booth that will have driver names on them, so even if you don’t follow NASCAR at all, you’ll be able to get a name that will help you get a free copy,” stated McWilliam.