Quirky Southern Fiction, and the Keys to Writing a First Novel
Podcast: Download (Duration: 54:31 — 50.0MB)
In this episode 351, Tracey Buchanan discusses her debut novel Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace, which author Susan Reinhardt describes as “Southern fiction at its finest.” Plus Matt Scott shares how he overcame self-doubt to write his first book, and Charlotte Lit gives tips for refreshing your reading.
Today’s Featured Authors
Tracey Buchanan Time Stamp: 4:14
In Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace, it’s 1952 in the small town of Paducah and Mrs. Minerva Place would prefer everyone mind his own business, follow the rules, and if dead, stay dead. Nosy neighbors and irritating church members are bad enough but when residents of the local cemetery start showing up, the quirky widow wonders if she’s going crazy. Jacqueline Sheehan says “Tracey Buchanan hits the sweet spot of humor and tragedy, where anything, even love, is possible.”
Matt Scott Time Stamp: 38:15
From Matt Scott’s blog post “The Keys to Writing My First Novel,” we take the following points:
- Reading widely is great training before writing a novel.
- Just because you don’t have experience writing fiction, or you’re past a certain age, doesn’t mean you should be afraid to write your first book.
- Trust your instincts when writing. Get the first draft out, then edit later.
2-Minute Tip: Time Stamp: 30:54
Don’t miss Charlotte Lit co-founder and executive director Paul Reali’s tip about refreshing your reading.
Community Updates:
Listen to our episode for updates on the Charlotte writing community, including events from the Charlotte Writers Club, Charlotte Lit, and more.
Book Recommendations: Time Stamp: 47:02
Hannah recommends:
Little Weirds by Jenny Slate
Sarah recommends:
My Cross to Bear by Gregg Allman and Alan Light
Landis recommends:
The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy
Mark West, Storied Charlotte Blog, recommends:
The Sea Witch’s Revenge by Susan Diamond Riley
The Write Quotes Series:
Go to https://charlottereaderspodcast.com/writequotes/ to learn more about our series of quote books, download Book 1 for free, or support the show and get more free books by joining our street team.