Mountain Writers of North Carolina discussion

So, any chance of talking some mountain books here:)

Ok, I'll got out on a limb. How about Denise Giardina's STORMING HEAVEN. Great story of the Appalachian coal mine war of 1920. Haven't read the sequel called THE UNQUIET EARTH, but it's supposed to be amazing.

Do any of you have any personal knowledge of Ron Rash and Wayne Caldwell? I have been so taken with their approach of "landscape as destiny" in their books. I think they represent a new direction in NC literature- are they acquiring much success? Saints at the River and Cataloochee are very good novels.

Well, for what it is worth, I consider Ron Rash a personal friend. I have known him since he received the Parish Chair at WCU and I have read everything that he has written with the exception of the last collection of short stories. I interviewed him for Tuck Reader about six months ago. I also admire Wayne and have read both of his novels, but our conversations have been limited to book festivals.

Very cool! So,if you paired Serena with Catloochee and you could have Ron and Wayne on a panel would they describe the difference between their views of historical NC? Do they see themselves as Mountain writers? Will they be writing about their historical landscape in their next books? I do find it fascinating that they are both so grounded in place with their fiction.

Well, it is interesting that both Rash and Caldwell are drawn to the disenfranchised. By that, I mean people who are forced to abandon their homes. A major theme in Rash is the "drowned worlds"...mountain regions that have been flooded. Caldwell's major topic is the forced removal of mountain families in Cataloochee area and he follows the "displaced" to their new homes. In both instances, the removal echos biblical themes.

Gary wrote: "Well, it is interesting that both Rash and Caldwell are drawn to the disenfranchised. By that, I mean people who are forced to abandon their homes. A major theme in Rash is the "drowned worlds"...m..."

Perhaps now they well venture East and write about the disenfranchised mill workers and workers in the Piedmont? But I get the sense they are going to stay writing about their mountains. I agree with your metaphore of 'drowned worlds' and the biblical theme makes their books universal and good. I like writers who write about doing things; fishing, working-farming-etc.

Well, interestingly enough, Ron Rash started as a poet and one of his early works deals with the textile mills that employed his grandfather. I think that the collection is called "Eureka Mill" and I'll see if I can find it this weekend. I think the actual mill was the Beacon mills in South Carolina. Of course, many mountain folks know about Gastonia and the Lu-Ray strike since they were there when it happened.

I've met Ron Rash, and he's such a nice guy, but don't know him well. He's a brilliant writer.

However, I do know Wayne - humble and sweet. He bought my novel at a book conference we both attended in Waynesville couple years ago(and of course I've read his books!) and then wrote me a nice note about it - he also wrote up a "book blurb" I could use. I've only been to two of his readings, but he's an engaging speaker - can't say enough nice things about Wayne!

I find it interesting how Appalachian writers view their subject (the mountains and its people) in unique ways- both is time and place and circumstance.

Kathryn wrote: "I've met Ron Rash, and he's such a nice guy, but don't know him well. He's a brilliant writer.

However, I do know Wayne - humble and sweet. He bought my novel at a book conference we both attende..."

Kathryn, Thanks for your reply Wayne sounds truely wonderful and his books are very good. What is the name of your book and I will try and obtain a copy?

Wayne is wonderful, and I so enjoy his books. Thank you for your interest *smiling* I have three books out - the one Wayne "blurbed" made me laugh because his comment began with "This message is for the guys: don't let the pink cover fool you . . . " *laughing* That is Tender Graces, then the follow up to that book was Secret Graces (it's a trilogy), and then Sweetie is another one.

Do you have book(s) out George? if so, I'll check it/them out!

Kathryn wrote: "Wayne is wonderful, and I so enjoy his books. Thank you for your interest *smiling* I have three books out - the one Wayne "blurbed" made me laugh because his comment began with "This message is fo..."

Great! I look forward to reading them...I love trilogies. No, I am a reader. I used to write but my life got in the way.

I sure understand that - I didn't start writing again, seriously, until my later 40's and my first book was published at 51ish :)

I'm also a reader - a voracious one!

I'm down to my last novel of Ron Rash and read everything by Wayne Caldwell. Having difficulty obtaining Karhryn's trilogy but going to get it.

So, what do you recommend to continue with the NC Mountain writers?

Thanks for any and all suggestions,

George

Well, there are plenty of other writers that deserve comment here. I read everything that William Gay publishes and I recently finished Tom Franklin's "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter."

I liked Frazier's Thirteen Moons, though I know most people liked Cold Mountain.

And Robert Morgan's Truest Pleasure/Gap Creek

Gary wrote: "Well, there are plenty of other writers that deserve comment here. I read everything that William Gay publishes and I recently finished Tom Franklin's "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter.""

Thanks I will ck out Tom Franklin's books.

Kathryn wrote: "I liked Frazier's Thirteen Moons, though I know most people liked Cold Mountain.

And Robert Morgan's Truest Pleasure/Gap Creek"

I'm with you, I thought Thirteen Moons was a strong book and was disappointed it was not as successful. Sometimes when books become big films the author is set and his next books are flat or just not as good. That wasn't the case with Thirteen Moons. I am looking forward to his next books...do you know anything about his next one?

No, I sure don't know his next book- haven't heard a peep!

There's also Sara Gruen - I've read the book, but haven't gone to the movie . . . "Water for Elephants"

Greetings to all and thank you for starting this group. I was born in Waynesville, grew up in the Spartanburg area, and have been living in Florida for the past ten years. Thank you for your sympathy, and yes, I miss the mountains. I just returned from a trip home and was impressed by the dedication, commitment, and promotion of local authors. I picked up Rash's One in in Eden and loved it. I enjoyed George's phrase "landscape as destiny" and elsewhere, the theme of "drowned worlds". Thank you for all your comments.

Unitl next time, I wonder if anyone would suggest any 19th century or early 20th century Appalachian authors or is it really an emerging genre?

When I teach Appalachian Literature, I always devote some time to "Lamb in His Bosom" which was written in the 30's, but is still a powerful novel. The author, Margaret Miller, lived in Waynesville during the latter part of her life. Her son, Clyde Ray, is also a writer. "A Lamb in His Bosom" has a profound "sense of place" theme.

Just finished One Foot in Eden by Ron Rash. Good book but why did he not end it in the river before introducing the last chapter- Son? Seems to me it would have been much more powerful as a novel to have cut this last section. I thought the chapter from the Son was preachy and filled with the need for closure just like a Hollywood movie. He is too good of a writer to believe he needs a didactic ending.

Well, for what it is worth, Rash has been writing in the hopes of getting a movie deal for some time. He told me that "Saints At the River" was calculated to get a movie offer. His reason for wanting a movie contract is realistic. He wants to make enough money to be able to write what he wants to. I think he has succeeded.

Gary wrote: "Well, for what it is worth, Rash has been writing in the hopes of getting a movie deal for some time. He told me that "Saints At the River" was calculated to get a movie offer. His reason for wan..."

Your insight is always valuable. I can see with the success of "Winter's Bone" in 2010 that someone would pick up the rights for "Saints at the River" but for my money a better movie would be "Serena" a more orignal and historically interesting story.

Well, Serena is already a done deal. In fact, I heard that Jolie has already signed the contract. All of this could be gossip, of course.

Gary wrote: "Well, Serena is already a done deal. In fact, I heard that Jolie has already signed the contract. All of this could be gossip, of course."

Good gossip and I hope it's true, it will make a fine film.

George wrote: "Gary wrote: "Well, Serena is already a done deal. In fact, I heard that Jolie has already signed the contract. All of this could be gossip, of course."

Good gossip and I hope it's true, it will..."

Hopefully, it will do for Ron what "The World According to Garp" did for John Irving and Ron is a much better writer.

Wouldn't that be wonderful! I'd be interested to see how they'd handle Serena in the movies.

George wrote: "Do any of you have any personal knowledge of Ron Rash and Wayne Caldwell? I have been so taken with their approach of "landscape as destiny" in their books. I think they represent a new direction i..."

Speaking of Ron Rash, as much as I like his prose I think his poetry packs a literary punch as well. Its not as well read and spoken of but having read "Raising the Dead" I realized how much of a giant he is in this community. The book tells stories through verse of North Carolina mountain communities. They are well put together and painstakingly compressed done to the bone of detail. If anything that should be read of Rash, his poetry is top of my list for him, that and his new book "Nothing Gold Can Stay".

I know both Ron Rash and Wayne Caldwell, and I have reviewed their books for Smoky Mountain News for the past five years. The paper just ask for a review of "Nothing Gold Can Stay" for February. I am supposed to pick up the book today.

At some point, we need to talk about themes in Rash and Caldwell. I always ask Rash what he is reading and immediately order the books he suggests.

I'm looking forward to Ron's book. I heard him read a little from one of the stories back when he was touring the poetry book.

I interviewed Ron once and the interview ended up on YouTube. I'm a little self-conscious about it, because I ended up feeling I was "showing out" a bit. I've been known to do that.

Kathryn Stripling Byer How about we discuss the poetry of Kay Byer? Has anyone read Descent?