The AAG is filled with talented writers and storytellers. Nearly every month, we have a presentation or workshop to help those that attend to hone their craft and improve their work. It takes time, patience, and dedication for sure. However, I have noticed a few themes that have been in the workshops and presentations over the years that helped me to answer an important question that I have had since joining the guild. What makes a story or book an “Appalachian” story or book? What makes a writer an “Appalachian” writer?
An Appalachian writer can be any writer from the region, or even someone from outside of the region that writes fiction or non-fiction about Appalachia. That’s the easy part of the question. But to break down what an Appalachian story is can be a bit more difficult. The themes of fiction works, other than having the setting in the region, are very telling to the authenticity of an Appalachian story.
Folks from all over the country share many of the same traits and desires and issues that we face here in the mountains. But when a writer hits a chord on the themes unique to our region, that really makes a story stand out as Appalachian. One of the main characteristics is a strong sense of place. The mountains, hollers, rivers, small towns—these are almost always a character themselves. When a writer can paint a picture on the page of the beauty and isolation of the region and how that shapes the lives of the people in the story, then you have the beginnings of an amazing story.
The themes of struggle and resilience in the backdrop of these small towns and mountains pull at the heartstrings of readers. Although any place can have stories of hardship, poverty and economic struggles, when you put in the backdrop of this place (such as coal mining towns, factory closures, and generational poverty), a unique story akin to this place can unfold. That leads to other themes of survival, self-sufficiency, and perseverance that reach every reader.
Appalachian stories will often focus on family and community. Family and kinship ties are central and often span multiple generations. There is also the importance of deep loyalty to family, the land, and tradition that you will find throughout stories from many Appalachian writers.
Appalachia is also a place full of folklore and legends. Not surprisingly you will find countless writers focusing on Appalachian ghost tales and stories of haints. How many stories have you read about witches, haints, and holler creatures that take place in Appalachia. In fact, you can find countless episodes of paranormal shows on television that dive into the oral tradition of storytelling about infamous Appalachian places such as Ghost Town Village in North Carolina, the West Virginia Penitentiary, or the monster of Green River near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. There is even said to be haunted parts of the Appalachian Trail.
When you toss in the dialect of the region, along with deep religious and spiritual undertones, you have hit nearly every characteristic of an Appalachian story. Not all Appalachian writers will write Appalachian stories. In my experience, less than half write stories that are unique to this region. But it is always an experience and a pleasure when you find an Appalachian story that speaks to you.
From Cormac McCarthy to Silas Hill. From Lee Smith to Barbara Kingslover. From Addie Davis to Jessee Graves. From Steven James to…well, you. Appalachian authors come in many variations. If you haven’t written anything that is unique to your town or the mountains surrounding you, then maybe it’s time to give it a try. I’m up for the challenge if you are.
An Appalachian writer can be any writer from the region, or even someone from outside of the region that writes fiction or non-fiction about Appalachia. That’s the easy part of the question. But to break down what an Appalachian story is can be a bit more difficult. The themes of fiction works, other than having the setting in the region, are very telling to the authenticity of an Appalachian story.
Folks from all over the country share many of the same traits and desires and issues that we face here in the mountains. But when a writer hits a chord on the themes unique to our region, that really makes a story stand out as Appalachian. One of the main characteristics is a strong sense of place. The mountains, hollers, rivers, small towns—these are almost always a character themselves. When a writer can paint a picture on the page of the beauty and isolation of the region and how that shapes the lives of the people in the story, then you have the beginnings of an amazing story.
The themes of struggle and resilience in the backdrop of these small towns and mountains pull at the heartstrings of readers. Although any place can have stories of hardship, poverty and economic struggles, when you put in the backdrop of this place (such as coal mining towns, factory closures, and generational poverty), a unique story akin to this place can unfold. That leads to other themes of survival, self-sufficiency, and perseverance that reach every reader.
Appalachian stories will often focus on family and community. Family and kinship ties are central and often span multiple generations. There is also the importance of deep loyalty to family, the land, and tradition that you will find throughout stories from many Appalachian writers.
Appalachia is also a place full of folklore and legends. Not surprisingly you will find countless writers focusing on Appalachian ghost tales and stories of haints. How many stories have you read about witches, haints, and holler creatures that take place in Appalachia. In fact, you can find countless episodes of paranormal shows on television that dive into the oral tradition of storytelling about infamous Appalachian places such as Ghost Town Village in North Carolina, the West Virginia Penitentiary, or the monster of Green River near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. There is even said to be haunted parts of the Appalachian Trail.
When you toss in the dialect of the region, along with deep religious and spiritual undertones, you have hit nearly every characteristic of an Appalachian story. Not all Appalachian writers will write Appalachian stories. In my experience, less than half write stories that are unique to this region. But it is always an experience and a pleasure when you find an Appalachian story that speaks to you.
From Cormac McCarthy to Silas Hill. From Lee Smith to Barbara Kingslover. From Addie Davis to Jessee Graves. From Steven James to…well, you. Appalachian authors come in many variations. If you haven’t written anything that is unique to your town or the mountains surrounding you, then maybe it’s time to give it a try. I’m up for the challenge if you are.
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