There are some things you simply can’t rush. When I shared my thoughts on sourdough, I wrote about how cooking and writing are both creative acts meant to be shared. Making homemade peach jam reminded me of another lesson. Good prose, much like good preserves, takes time to become what it’s meant to be. AContinue reading “From the Writer’s Table: Peach Jam and Prose”
Author Archives: RDugan
Author RLDIII Shelf Notes: The Battle of Blair Mountain: The Story Of America’s Largest Labor Uprising by Robert Shogan
One of the books currently on my nightstand is The Battle of Blair Mountain by Robert Shogan. As someone who writes stories rooted in Appalachia, I find myself continually drawn back to the region’s history. Not simply because it provides interesting settings, but because understanding Appalachia means understanding the people who shaped it. The mountains have alwaysContinue reading “Author RLDIII Shelf Notes: The Battle of Blair Mountain: The Story Of America’s Largest Labor Uprising by Robert Shogan”
Haunts from These Hills: Dr. Samuel Crawford
Every town has its stories. Growing up in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, I learned that Appalachia is full of places where history and folklore tend to blur together. Some stories are passed down around campfires. Others find their way into local newspapers, history books, and conversations that linger for generations. One of Morgan County’s mostContinue reading “Haunts from These Hills: Dr. Samuel Crawford”
From the Writer’s Table: Sourdough and Stories
Every story starts with something simple. A blank page. A single idea. A handful of ingredients. Lately, I’ve been spending a few minutes of every day feeding my sourdough starter, which I’ve jokingly named Steve, and learning the art of baking sourdough boules. Like writing, sourdough requires patience. You can’t rush the process. You feedContinue reading “From the Writer’s Table: Sourdough and Stories”
From Influence to Page: Stephen King
Before there was A Stranger Among Us, Horror Illustrated, or With Signs Following, there was a well-worn copy of On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. I’ve always been drawn to horror storytelling, whether it’s found in books, films, television, or somewhere in between. King’s work was one of many gateways intoContinue reading “From Influence to Page: Stephen King”
Tattoos and Time Travel: Berkeley Springs High School Class of 2023 Graduation Speech
Good afternoon everyone. I am pleased to be here today to say a few words to and for the class of 2023. I will do my best to honor this special day where we celebrate our graduates and all that they have accomplished. Those of you who were my students know that I love tellingContinue reading “Tattoos and Time Travel: Berkeley Springs High School Class of 2023 Graduation Speech”