Lately it's gotten very hot in July/August - but it rarely breaks 100 and most nights falls into the 70's so with the windows open, all is fine (we have no a/c).
Bugs - oh lord yes, there are more bugs here than most places I've lived. But we don't have black flies like in Maine area. Gnats, skeeters, ticks are the nuisance bugs.
I've written 6 manuscripts. 3 of them are set in Appalachia - 2 are contemporary and setting effects voice, activities, choices, really everything. 1 is a made-up world, but based strongly on the geography of the area and the isolation of the mountains is a character all on its own.
Super fun post. When I travel, I like to do 'regular things' not just touristy things, what's something I could do in Appalachia that would get me that regular life feeling?
Love the pics! I want to know if you like to hike and if you have ever done the Appalachian trail? My husband and I would looooove to do the whole thing...but alas we had children and ate food and got all out of shape so we may have to wait some years for that one:)
Barbara - If you find yourself in Yancey County, NC - go to Young's Mountain Music on a Friday night. No alcohol permitted but all the down home open mic you could ever want. Also the 4th of July celebration on the square in Burnsville, NC is lots of fun.
Deana - I like to day hike quite a bit and am lucky I have a nice walk down to the river from my house - about 10 minutes down, 30 minutes back up. I've section hiked the App trail but I've never been a through hiker. It crosses through my county, but I'm past my prime for through hiking.
Vero - Wow, hard question. I think what flows best is my favorite to write. I do prefer passages of dialogue to big descriptive passages, but the mood around that dialogue doesn't seem to matter if I'm in the groove.
Are the redbuds and lilacs blooming out? Do you have access to some homemade quilts? What about churches--are they still important? Music--I just watched "Songcatcher" and loved the music! What is fall like? Do people go hunting? Deer, squirrel, fowl, and raccoons? Are there writers about Appalachia that you would recommend?
Susan - I don't think we have redbuds and it's too early for lilacs. Right now dogwoods, azaleas, wisteria, and the apple trees are in bloom. Tulips are up. Daffodils have gone as have the spiarea and the bradford pear and weeping cherry blossoms. There are quilters all over, quilts in antique shops and even a quilt trail where quilt squares have been painted on wood and hung on barns and businesses. Fall is gorgeous - absolutely my favorite season - as pretty as New England with crisp blue skies and warm days with cool nights. Hunting is big around here - you name it, all you mentioned, plus bear, rabbit, turkey. Also trout fishing. (though I'm not a hunter). Ron Rash is an excellent Appalachian writer - though a wee bit dark. Also Sharyn McCrumb - she does a great mystery series set in VA and TN featuring a woman who has "the sight." Along with many stand-alone books. Her work is probably not considered as literary as Ron Rash's is.
Hey, JRo, I want to come see if you have any Sasquatch in them there woods and mountains! I love me some squatch-hunting! Seriously. I'm one of BFRO's biggest fans. :) Bet ya didn't know that about me!
Actually Candy, I have a neighbor who is the regional Bigfoot Hunter Group contact person. And he and his wife are dear friends - yes, he's been on all sorts of hunts and calls. I'm using his expertise for a Middle Grade manuscript, actually (just started it last month) And no, though I was in my classroom, I have a Macbook pro and used the Photo Booth feature for the pics.
Those are really cute pics...but I'm afraid I'm all out of questions this morning :)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to the rest of your challenge run…can’t believe we’ve had 16 days already!
--Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Hey! Very funny and excellent photoes to get your point across. Well done!
ReplyDeletehttp://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com
Cute photos. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know about your summer. Is it hot? Are there bugs?
Lately it's gotten very hot in July/August - but it rarely breaks 100 and most nights falls into the 70's so with the windows open, all is fine (we have no a/c).
ReplyDeleteBugs - oh lord yes, there are more bugs here than most places I've lived. But we don't have black flies like in Maine area. Gnats, skeeters, ticks are the nuisance bugs.
Let's see, is your novel set in Appalachia? If so, how does the setting affect the story?
ReplyDeleteI've written 6 manuscripts. 3 of them are set in Appalachia - 2 are contemporary and setting effects voice, activities, choices, really everything. 1 is a made-up world, but based strongly on the geography of the area and the isolation of the mountains is a character all on its own.
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking!
Super fun post. When I travel, I like to do 'regular things' not just touristy things, what's something I could do in Appalachia that would get me that regular life feeling?
ReplyDeleteLove the pics! I want to know if you like to hike and if you have ever done the Appalachian trail? My husband and I would looooove to do the whole thing...but alas we had children and ate food and got all out of shape so we may have to wait some years for that one:)
ReplyDeleteBarbara - If you find yourself in Yancey County, NC - go to Young's Mountain Music on a Friday night. No alcohol permitted but all the down home open mic you could ever want. Also the 4th of July celebration on the square in Burnsville, NC is lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteDeana - I like to day hike quite a bit and am lucky I have a nice walk down to the river from my house - about 10 minutes down, 30 minutes back up. I've section hiked the App trail but I've never been a through hiker. It crosses through my county, but I'm past my prime for through hiking.
ReplyDeleteLOL, that was great! Like watching a mini-movie. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a question, but had to comment. :D
No, you're awesome, Jaye! Kudos to a blog post without words. Technically. Very refreshing!
ReplyDeleteMy question: what's your favorite type of scene to write? Action? Quarrel/fight? Romance? Discovery?
Hi Jaye, first time visitor and great to meet you! I've always wanted to walk the Appalachian Trail. About how long would it take to make the hike?
ReplyDeleteVero - Wow, hard question. I think what flows best is my favorite to write. I do prefer passages of dialogue to big descriptive passages, but the mood around that dialogue doesn't seem to matter if I'm in the groove.
ReplyDeleteStephen, I think for most people it takes 5-7 months. One of my favorite books about hiking the trail is Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods.
ReplyDeleteAre the redbuds and lilacs blooming out? Do you have access to some homemade quilts? What about churches--are they still important? Music--I just watched "Songcatcher" and loved the music! What is fall like? Do people go hunting? Deer, squirrel, fowl, and raccoons? Are there writers about Appalachia that you would recommend?
ReplyDeleteI'll think of more.
Fun photos! But I have no questions about Appalachia, as I'm not even sure just where it is!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I don't think we have redbuds and it's too early for lilacs. Right now dogwoods, azaleas, wisteria, and the apple trees are in bloom. Tulips are up. Daffodils have gone as have the spiarea and the bradford pear and weeping cherry blossoms. There are quilters all over, quilts in antique shops and even a quilt trail where quilt squares have been painted on wood and hung on barns and businesses. Fall is gorgeous - absolutely my favorite season - as pretty as New England with crisp blue skies and warm days with cool nights. Hunting is big around here - you name it, all you mentioned, plus bear, rabbit, turkey. Also trout fishing. (though I'm not a hunter). Ron Rash is an excellent Appalachian writer - though a wee bit dark. Also Sharyn McCrumb - she does a great mystery series set in VA and TN featuring a woman who has "the sight." Along with many stand-alone books. Her work is probably not considered as literary as Ron Rash's is.
ReplyDeleteNo questions but LOVED the post and pics!!
ReplyDeleteHey, JRo, I want to come see if you have any Sasquatch in them there woods and mountains! I love me some squatch-hunting! Seriously. I'm one of BFRO's biggest fans. :) Bet ya didn't know that about me!
ReplyDeleteCute post. Did your students take the photos?
Actually Candy, I have a neighbor who is the regional Bigfoot Hunter Group contact person. And he and his wife are dear friends - yes, he's been on all sorts of hunts and calls. I'm using his expertise for a Middle Grade manuscript, actually (just started it last month) And no, though I was in my classroom, I have a Macbook pro and used the Photo Booth feature for the pics.
ReplyDelete