aa lite Interviews Randy Godwin
Insights from a Southern Storyteller and History Lover
Like most of your readers I am hugely impressed with your short stories. When did you start writing creative fiction, did you write before you joined HubPages? And where do you get inspiration?
Before I joined HubPages--a little over 4 years ago--I began writing on the Helium website (a pox on them) at the recommendation of longtime friend and fellow Hubber, Holle Abee. Most of you know her as Habee on HubPages. When I first joined Helium in 2007 I'd never written anything--other than a few desperate love letter--which would classify as being in the fiction genre. (If my wife Beth is reading this, yours were absolutely non-fiction, I promise) I've expanded my tales here and on other venues and enjoy spinning a yarn now and then.
The inspiration for most of my tales comes from the history of the area where I live, and that of my ancestors on both sides of my family. Settling this strange and mysterious part of Georgia took some hearty souls, and my ancestors were just that sort of folk.
Your stories really are rooted in the history of the South. I love the way you recreate the atmosphere; the dialogues seem very authentic. Do you have to research the background, or is it in your blood?
Many times as a small child I sat on the front porch of my grandparents' house and listened to tales of witchcraft and murder, cotton and slavery, southern Civil War heroes, and the dreaded Yankee soldiers who invaded their precious homeland during the War of Northern Aggression--as it was referred to by those ancient front porch narrators. No lack of inspiration for a wannabe writer, I assure you.
I do some research on the dates of certain historical events as I want my tales to have the ring of truth to them, and some are indeed based on real events. The southern dialogues and accents are from real life people using my memories to recreate them as best I can. Of course, some people still use these accents today in the more remote areas of Georgia. Some people in the more isolated parts of Georgia used Elizabethan English well into the 20th century.
On your profile you say you were a professional musician. What did this involve?
Music is in my blood it seems. Many members of my mother's family played instruments of some sort, with the fiddle acquiring fame for a few of them. In fact, I've used the fiddle in a few of my tales, both fact and fiction.
I started playing drums in a band when I was 15 years old. The Beatles had invaded America and I was hooked. I moved on to learning guitar and banjo, as well as bass guitar, over the next few decades of my musical career. A very fun and lucrative sideline to my real job of operating a farm. Rock and Roll!
You seem to hold pretty liberal political views, I believe you were even referred to as a “socialist.” Yet you live in a part of the States that is famous for its conservative stance. How did you become such a rebel?
I often wonder about this myself, especially because of the particular environment I was raised in. This being the very buckle of the Bible Belt, as well as being known for racial animosity. I never bought into religion or the feeling I was better than those of a different skin color. Thank goodness it's changed somewhat for the better and will continue to improve, I do believe. I just feel the most powerful country in the world should be able to care for its inhabitants, no matter their race. Call me crazy…
You often talk about your fuzzy navels. They seem very important to you, can you tell us about them?
Ha! I often joke about my "Fuzzy Navel" as it's one of my favorite poolside drinks. It's actually a mixture of vodka, orange juice, and peach schnapps to honor our Georgia peaches, of course. Delish!
What thing would hubbers be most surprised to learn about you?
It's difficult to say, perhaps my lack of education may surprise some Hubbers, but for others, perhaps not. I don't always succeed at my ruses. Some would most certainly be surprised to learn that I want HubPages to prosper and return to its glory days. Whether it will or not is difficult to predict. As usual, time will tell. Whatever the outcome, I’m still grateful to them for furnishing a platform where I can experiment with my writing, both for fun and profit, not to mention the great friends I’ve made here on HubPages. It’s still remains a cool place to be.
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