A few years back, I was in my New Jersey kitchen talking with a friend about summer plans when she suddenly asked, “Did you just say ‘Joo-ly’?” Confused, I repeated, “July.” She laughed even harder, confirming her suspicion that I was indeed from the South, a realization I came to after moving north and attending my first farm fair. Yes, I’m truly a daughter of the South, where people say y’all, cheese grits and Jimmy Dean sausage are staples, and a touch of bacon grease is added to almost every vegetable. A place where people share stories with strangers while picking out watermelons and where the weather at Christmas can range from thirty degrees to eighty, making you either wear sweaters or break a sweat. And yes, we say, “Joo-ly.”
But what about my writing? Obviously, it’s all about the words, not just how they’re pronounced—unless I’m doing my own audiobooks. Even so, filling my pages with contrived phrases like “Well, bless your heart!” or “honey chile” isn’t effective. What differentiates a novice from a seasoned boxer is landing blows in the right spots consistently, and that’s my goal: to captivate readers with genuine Southern fiction, not just Southern diction. I aim to engage readers so profoundly that they’ll recognize me as a Southern writer by the end of each story.
So how do I deliver that authentic Southern essence in my writing? With love, my dear reader. Imagine you show up at my house unannounced: I’d greet you warmly, offer you some sweet tea, and inquire about your family. I’d comfort you, perhaps with a hand squeeze or a shoulder pat, and share a prayer if needed, as my faith is the source of my love. After our time together, I’d send you off with a hug and a reminder to send my regards to your mother. This warm, embracing spirit is what Southern fiction does. It connects with you, making you feel right at home, hitting you deeply, and leaving you with a sense of comfort and familiarity. You’ll find characters reminiscent of family, neighbors, or those memorable moments from a sermon—that’s the essence of Southern storytelling.
This warmth partly comes from our environment. Growing up in a region with a longer summer means more skin-to-skin contact—bare arms and legs inviting hugs and kisses. Our love for greeting with a hug is just as common as a handshake. Our setting, from the weeping willows and crepe myrtles to the beaches and bayous, plays a significant role in Southern fiction. Think of the Smoky Mountains, the Low Country, peach groves, and cotton fields. The heat, the humidity, thunderstorms, long summers, and short winters—all these elements paint the Southern backdrop.
Yet, the South also includes bustling cities like New Orleans, Charlotte, and Atlanta, with their skylines, financial districts, and traffic. We have coliseums, museums, esteemed universities, and sports teams, alongside strip malls, modern condos, and popular eateries. The South isn’t just rural landscapes but a mix of vibrant urban culture too.
Let’s not forget the Southern palate. Our food, like po’boys, grits, and pound cake, reflects our rich history and culture. Just ask Beatrice Agnew, the main character in my book, A Long Time Comin’. Beatrice, like my mother, expresses love through her cooking, and in return, you show appreciation by enjoying every bite. My Southern fiction aims to tantalize your taste buds from the very beginning, offering a flavorful journey that skips calorie counting.
So, what makes fiction Southern? It’s the warmth on your neck, the beauty of the surroundings that praise their Creator, and the spirit that invites readers to sit and stay awhile. It’s the shared history, the way we speak, and the heart and soul poured into every word.
Robin W. Pearson’s writing is deeply rooted in her Southern upbringing and her love for her family. These elements shine through in her debut novel, A Long Time Comin’. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Robin has spent twenty-five years as an editor and writer, beginning her career with Houghton Mifflin Company. She has freelanced for various publications, including magazines, parenting journals, textbooks, and homeschooling resources. You can follow her journey on her blog, Mommy, Concentrated, which explores her adventures in faith, family, and freelancing.
In her debut novel, A Long Time Comin’, Beatrice Agnew is a character who has kept her secrets tight-lipped. Faced with her mortality, she’s determined to keep it that way, leaving her children to seek answers from a higher power about their absent father. Meanwhile, her granddaughter Evelyn arrives burdened with her own secret, set on helping Beatrice mend familial ties. Evelyn’s meddling uncovers old letters, forcing both women to confront their painful past and present.
For more about this compelling story, be sure to check out A Long Time Comin’.
