CityView Magazine

54 June 2021 GOOD READS FAYETTEVILLE History, Heroes & Hometown Writers BY DIANE PARFITT D id you know that Carson McCullers and Charles W. Chesnutt – authors who achieved national literary success and critical acclaim – lived in downtown Fayetteville at one point? In this column, I'll tell you a little about them and also about some up-and-coming authors, published in the last 10 years or so, who currently live in Fayetteville. ese are talented writers who I have had the pleasure of meeting and reviewing their books. 1. SHANE WILSON, who teaches writing at Fayetteville Technical Community College, graduated from Valdosta State University in Georgia with a Masters in English and has authored several novels, a collection of short stories and poetry. His first book, "A Year Since the Rain," utilizes magical realism to tell the story of the confused but eminently likeable protagonist and narrator, computer programmer Alan. For him, a mysterious drought comes to represent the emptiness and dislocation he feels aer the double whammy of his father's death and the breakup with his first true love. He is an Everyman and a pilgrim, whose journey of self-discovery is aided by a succession of mystics who all happen to be women. It is a journey that we wish would continue long aer we have finished the last page. In his next book, "e Smoke in his Eyes," Wilson again uses magical realism in the story of "TJ," who has to navigate the challenges of college and first love while searching for his sense of self as a serious musician. rough TJ and the other characters, the author compels us to question the meaning of inspiration and creativity in artistic development. 2. KELISHA B. GR AVES, an instructor at Fayetteville State University and a doctoral candidate, published "Nannie Helen Burroughs: A Documentary Portrait of an Early Civil Rights Pioneer, 1900–1959" in 2019. Graves edited and published this anthology of Burroughs' works aer much research into the life of this African American female activist, educator and intellectual. Born to formerly enslaved parents in 1879, Burroughs founded the National Training School for Women and Girls. She emphasized the opportunities for women of color to achieve their goals and secure a place in society through determination and hard work. With this anthology, Graves has brought attention to an important but forgotten voice from the past. Books like this can help all of us understand the contributions to American society by African Americans and, perhaps, spark the much-needed conversations that can bring us together in these troubled times. 3. With titles like "Out of My Mind: Quotations that Delight, Dazzle, and Confound," "My oughts Prefer Side Streets" and "inkerer," what's not to like about LESLIE MIKLOSY? Miklosy was born in Argentina to Hungarian parents and moved to America as a child, finally ending up in Fayetteville aer a varied career as a publications assistant, an administrator in a psychotherapy institute and a substitute elementary school teacher. Drawing from these experiences, Miklosy's delightful little books offer reflections on life that are both entertaining and instructive. "My oughts Prefer Side Streets" offers a collection of short essays and aphorisms for the reader to reflect upon, to help them reevaluate attitudes, or simply just share a laugh over some of life's little ironies. "inkerer" follows with more musings on life while focusing on optimism, success, procrastination, and overcoming obstacles. His latest book, "Out of My Mind," draws from his previous books and adds new material to take us on a journey of discovery. As with all of his books, the whimsical illustrations add delightful visual treats. ese are the kinds of books you want to have lying around for a quick pick-me-up as they take you to a gentler, kinder place. 4. CRYSTAL MCLEAN, a financial service representative at First Citizens Bank in Fayetteville, is one of several talented, young writers in Fayetteville who have written children's books. She wrote "Harmoney and the Empty WHAT ENGAGES US IN LIFE ARE THE THINGS THAT INTEREST US, AND WE THINK ARE OF VALUE – BUT ARE THEY WORTHY OF OUR ATTENTION? ~ Leslie Miklosy "inkerer: A thinker who tinkers with words and ideas" 1 2 3 4 5 6

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