Ron Rash is my hero

Writing in the Botanical Gardens, I began a piece about falling in love. I was prompted by listeing to pieces from my writing group members. I love hearing their stories. It seems that any first line that hints at romance has my attention. What would happen if I tried to write about falling in love? I love to compare our stories and look for the common truths.

Then Dawn read from "Blackberries in June," "On those August nights when no late-afternoon thunderstorm rinsed the heat and humidity from the air...(53)" I was half way through that story, after picking up the book the night before so I could familiarize myself with Ron. I knew where this story went...to my favorite kind of literature: complicated love, characters youlove and hate at the same time, and decisions that must be made that have no right answer. Ron Rash knows how to write a love story. I've been inspired by reading his stories. His characters are so real and complex. You end his stories scratching your head, nodding, and opening your eyes really wide. It must be funny to watch. There is nothing better than a southern tale of cynicism.

I read Ron's stories to familiarize myself, so to better ask more informed intelligent questions. The opposite happened. I loved his writing...maybe a little too much. When he walked in the door I couldn't look him in the eye. He seemed BIG TIME...George Clooney status. I didn't trust myself to speak in complete sentences.

I loved hearing Ron talk about his research and motivation. I love the thought he puts into his writing. I was also inspired by hearing him talk about the will or a writer...that your ideas are worthwhile...you just have to find out why.