“Every Serious Writer Needs to be Reading Craft of Writing Books Every Day!”... Renowned Southern Author Rhonda Browning Puts All Writers on Notice

Get comfy for this jam-packed, fun episode with award-winning author Rhonda Browning White as she spills the inside scoop on her debut novel, Filling the Big Empty. Inspired by her earlier short stories, this story follows a young couple navigating life’s highs and lows, from the coal mines and vineyards of West Virginia to the North Carolina Piedmont. Rhonda and the hosts dive into the magic of storytelling—from Hemingway’s famous flash fiction to the art of giving readers just enough to set their imagination loose.

This episode is packed with references! We've done the work for you with shoutouts to fantastic authors—check out Lee Smith, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Robert Olmstead, Stewart O’Nan, Russell Banks, and North Carolina’s own Ron Rash. Rhonda also shares her admiration for legacy writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Flannery O’Connor. 

Robert chimes in with an example of six-word storytelling, like Hemingway's famous short story Baby Shoes: “For Sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” Rhonda drops some wisdom on authentic writing (hint: when adding research, think a sprinkle of salt, not a pound!). They explore the quirks of the craft, like the art of flash fiction and the intimacy of first-person narration. 

Rhonda’s take on good writing? Make sure to include redemption, conflict, authenticity, suspense, and setting that lets readers discover new places. Keep growing your craft, put in the work, and who knows, you might just follow in Rhonda’s footsteps. That’s an admirable goal, folks! 

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY: If you’re listening before mid-November, catch Rhonda’s big Book Launch Party (free and open to the public!) on Nov. 16th at 3 p.m. at Olde Hickory Station in Hickory, North Carolina. She’s also planning additional readings at vineyards and bookstores across WV, NC, SC, and FL. Keep an eye on her website for event details!

Find Rhonda’s website here

Find Rhonda on Facebook here

Hickory’s favorite coffee spot sponsors REDPUBPOD, Taste Full Beans. Look for Rhonda (and often Patty!) on Saturday mornings, coffee & bagel in hand. Swing by and say hi—they’re always up for a chat! 

Taste Full Beans Coffee, Tea & Café 29 2nd Street NW, Hickory, North Carolina. (828) 325-0108

Your RedPubPod hosts in this episode are:

Robert Canipe, Publisher, RedHawk Publications

Patty Thompson, Acquisitions Editor, RedHawk Publications

Buy all your Redhawk Publications books here!

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