'Slow and steady to win the race'

 

 

 “Writing doesn't come real easy tome. I couldn't write a novel in a year. It wouldn't be readable. I don't let aneditor even look at it until the second year, because it would just scare them.I just have to trust that all these scraps and dead-ends will find a way.”– Charles Frazier

 

As a “deliberate” writer myself – especiallywhen I’m working on fiction – I can commiserate with Frazier and long agodecided that getting it done right, regardless of how long it takes to finishis the best route to follow.   Frazieragrees, noting, “Well, I'm a slow writer. For me, a good day is a page, maybe apage and a half. I'd love to be more efficient, but I am not.” 

  

Born on this date in 1950 in Asheville,NC (much in the news these days from the horrific floods they’ve endured),Frazier has authored 5 books beginning with the terrific Cold Mountain – winner of awards as both a book and a movie.  His most recent book is 2023’s The Trackers, which follows a painter tracking down a woman with a valuable painting during The Great Depression.

 

Frazier’s writing is a study in howto draw upon the culture and history of a region – in his case his home stateand the Appalachian region.   He said he alsoloves the music of the region and finding ways to incorporate it into hiswritings to “flesh out” his stories.

 

“It always helps me connect withcharacters,” he said, “to think about what music they respond to.”

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