Y’all ain’t gonna believe this…

by Heather Jones

Y'all know the difference between a northern storyteller and a southern story storyteller?

A northern storyteller begins with "Once upon a time…"

A southern storyteller begins with, "Y'all ain't gonna believe this…"

Witty, poignant, and thought-provoking are words that come to mind about Rick Bragg, consummate Southern storyteller and author of All Over But The Shouting. 

He spills all the southern tea in this memoir of his life growing up in the impoverished foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Bragg traveled the world writing for the New York Times before returning back home to Alabama, where he wrote a series of memoirs.

All Over But The Shouting involves some gritty themes because he doesn't pull any punches when writing about the spirit of lack in his upbringing. Bragg says he had to write about these ugly parts so he could turn around and praise his mother for going without a new dress for 20 years, allowing him to have school clothes. He is a compelling storyteller.

Once, in an interview, Rick Bragg was asked about the flavor of storytellers who hail from the South. His response:

"Have you ever had a rice cake?

Did you like it?

Well, have you ever had sausage gravy on a biscuit?

Writing should be like sausage gravy on a biscuit. Writing should be rich and relevant with flavor. It should make you glad to be in it."

VERY SOUTHERN, but also, those are the vibes we want when we're trying to immerse ourselves in a story.  I will read everything I can get my hands on by Rick Bragg, but I recommend beginning at the beginning of his author journey with All Over But The Shouting.. You'll cry AND be glad you're in it.

Rick Bragg, you son of the South.

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