Ron Rash creates an impact in Floyd

Author Ron Rash was introduced as one of the important new voices of the South and after listening to him, I believe that might be true.

His complex tales and poems tell of loss and redemption, of real people with complex motives, and they leave you with a sense that you have discovered a side of Appalachia that you will not soon forget.

In his soft-spoken way he voiced his concern about the environment, about the importance of family, and explained his abiding interest in the heritage of the Appalachian region.

Ron was there to promote his recent novel, The World Made Straight, which deals with the modern day legacy of a Civil War massacre which still divides an Appalachian community. He is a powerful writer and his work creates an emotional impact.

He is currently the Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Studies at Western Carolina University and his contract provides him the time to write and do book tours as well as teach.

His poetry and fiction have been published in more than 80 journals and magazines, and he is author of two collections of short stories and three collections of poetry. His first novel was “One Foot in Eden” and his second novel was “Saints at the River.”

His appearance in Floyd was arranged by Floyd's friends of the Library. Once again, they have done this community a great favor.

Watching a celebrated writer give a book reading gives you an inside view of how the story was developed and what the author was trying to accomplish. It is a treat for the reader and is an education for the would-be writer.

Here are some links you may wish to explore:

An Interview with Ron Rash by Pam Kingsbury, an article by Iris books, and another article by Story South .

Comments

[Gary Boyd]

David, I wish I could have been there. I discovered Ron Rash a year back in one of Garrison Keillor's email newsletters and fell in love with his way with words. The first thing of his I saw was "The Exchange" excerpted from Among the Believers. © Iris Press, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It starts:

"Between Wytheville, Virginia
and the North Carolina line,
he meets a wagon headed
where he's been, seated beside
her parents a dark-eyed girl
who grips the reins in her fist,
no more than sixteen, he'd guess
as they come closer and she
doesn't look away or blush
but allows his eyes to hold
hers that moment their lives pass."

He says so much with such a scarcity of words. In just a handful of lines he was able to make me see the world and time he saw...If you haven't read it follow this link: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/programs/2005/07/04/index.html

[David St Lawrence]

Gary,

He read that on Thursday and it moved me deeply. He later explained that the poem was about his grandfather.

Anyone who has experienced that moment of recognition on meeting a loved one for the first time will find that poem irresistable.

Ron makes every word count.