CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 41 It's happening here! Right here and right now! By Stephanie Brigman Carson McCullers may be one of the most famous authors Fayetteville claims, but she is far from the only one. Here are a few more notables: Tim Tyson – Tyson's passion for writing began at an early age. He moved to Fayetteville as a teenager in the 1970s. While he lived in Fayetteville, Tyson spent much of his time writing, reading at Edward McKay Books, and editing the editorial page for his high school newspaper. A few months before graduation, Tyson dropped out of Terry Sanford High School to pursue his passion for writing. He later earned his bachelor's degree at Emory University and his doctorate at Duke University, where he is currently a professor. But he is best known for his book, "Blood Done Sign My Name," based on his childhood memories of the 1970 murder of a black man in Tyson's hometown of Oxford. Mike Wiley, a native North Carolinian, adapted "Blood Done Sign My Name" into a play running through Feb. 7 at the Temple Theatre in Sanford. The book makes its big-screen debut on Feb. 19, starring Rick Shroder. Tim McLaurin – He was known by many as Wild Man Mac, the spirited snake handler who was covered in tattoos. To others, McLaurin was a loving family man, Marine veteran, Peace Corps volunteer, UNC alumna, creative writing professor at North Carolina State University and cancer survivor. But to the world, he is best known for his writing. The Cumberland County native published eight books including "Cured by Fire," winner of the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for fiction. His career was cut short when McLaurin lost his fight with cancer in July 2002, shortly before the completion of his final novel, "Another Son of Man." Suzanne Farrior – As a child, Farrior once dreamed of illustrating children's books. She later realized that dream and more. She taught art for more than 20 years in Cumberland County schools before retiring in 1999. In 2001, she published her first book, "Froggie Babies," followed by "A Child's World from My Point of View" and "The Hungry Little Bunny." Two for the price of one. Methodist University can claim many talented writers, but two current professors continue to stand out: Michael Potts, whose poetry chapbook, "From Field to Thicket," won the Mary Belle Campbell Poetry Book Award of the North Carolina Writers' Network, and Robin Greene (right) whose works include "Memories of Light," "Real Birth" and "Lateral Drift." And let's not leave out Fayetteville State University's very own writer Charles Chesnutt who earned national acclaim for the novels and short stories he wrote at the end of the 19th century exploring complex issues of racial and society identity. The audience is captivated by Joe Haymore's thunderous voice and intense eyes as he reaches the poem's closing lines. For more than 30 years, the Writer's Ink Guild has provided free workshops to schools and libraries. And once a month, on second Thursday nights, members meet at Barnes & Noble bookstore. Open to professional writers and amateurs alike, the meetings usually include an open mic. Participants share their original poetry and prose plus any and all creative ideas. But the writing is not what makes the group unique rather it's the writers themselves: active- duty soldiers, college professors, writers from abroad who recite pieces in their native tongue, and colorful characters such as disabled Vietnam War veteran Charles "The Hawk" Weyant. "What we want from local writers is for them to attend our critique meetings and participate," says Haymore, the guild's president. "You don't have to be a big poet, a published poet, you don't even have to be a good poet. You just have to be enthusiastic." For information about the Writer's Ink Guild's meetings, workshops or the annual poetry contest, Fields of Earth, contact Joe Haymore at joehaymore@windstream.net or 919.499.6600. Winter Escapes By Stephanie Brigman " "

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