Hello there! Happy Writemas.
As you may know already, I classify myself as an Appalachian writer. I grew up in Appalachia. I live in Appalachia. Most of my work includes something of Appalachia in them. Take Into the Meadow. There is a road in Gatlinburg called Roaring Fork that happens to be a drive through for the National Park. Now, I pass this road almost every day. And I used the name to create the town of Roaring Fork, Tennessee that is contained in some of my books. That small snippet is Appalachia to me.
One aspect of my writing life that I didn't include in this was reading. I didn't read many Appalachian authors. Until one day, I decided I not only needed to but wanted to read Appalachian authors. At the time, I felt alone. I felt isolated in this small town at the base of the Smokies. I had always been set apart. I spoke differently. I used different words. Even my accent has a different twang despite being from here.
So I started scouring the Anna Porter Library in Gatlinburg, TN for local authors and Appalachian authors. I came across Silas House and his wonderfully titled book A Parchment of Leaves. The title alone drew me in, but his writing won me over. Over the weeks and months, I have slowly found Appalachian writers and those who write about Appalachia.
It has been so lovely to connect through words and shared history to these authors. It takes away (slightly) the feeling of isolation that sometimes plagues these mountains. It is a blessing and a curse. In the coming months, I decided I am going to start sharing some of the Appalachian books and authors I find. I hope, like me, that you find some of their words comforting and inspirational.
As you may know already, I classify myself as an Appalachian writer. I grew up in Appalachia. I live in Appalachia. Most of my work includes something of Appalachia in them. Take Into the Meadow. There is a road in Gatlinburg called Roaring Fork that happens to be a drive through for the National Park. Now, I pass this road almost every day. And I used the name to create the town of Roaring Fork, Tennessee that is contained in some of my books. That small snippet is Appalachia to me.
One aspect of my writing life that I didn't include in this was reading. I didn't read many Appalachian authors. Until one day, I decided I not only needed to but wanted to read Appalachian authors. At the time, I felt alone. I felt isolated in this small town at the base of the Smokies. I had always been set apart. I spoke differently. I used different words. Even my accent has a different twang despite being from here.
So I started scouring the Anna Porter Library in Gatlinburg, TN for local authors and Appalachian authors. I came across Silas House and his wonderfully titled book A Parchment of Leaves. The title alone drew me in, but his writing won me over. Over the weeks and months, I have slowly found Appalachian writers and those who write about Appalachia.
It has been so lovely to connect through words and shared history to these authors. It takes away (slightly) the feeling of isolation that sometimes plagues these mountains. It is a blessing and a curse. In the coming months, I decided I am going to start sharing some of the Appalachian books and authors I find. I hope, like me, that you find some of their words comforting and inspirational.
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