Tallahatchie: Why Writers Research Fiction

Whether its fiction that takes place in Vietnam or in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, it must have Credibility.

One of the primary goals of fiction is to reveal truth. Whether it is a fictional story about the Vietnam War, or one about the fictional town of Tallahatchie in the Mississippi Delta, the goal is to immerse the reader in such a way that it becomes what one of my reviewers described as: “Too real not to be true.” For that reason, I returned today to Tallahatchie County.

Yes, I grew up and have lived in the South all my life. I’ve spent more time in the Mississippi Delta than I care to recount, but I went back again today just to ride and check things out. I drove down to Enid Lake, across the dam, down old Highway 51, then west on Highway 32 to Charleston and “The Free State of Tallahatchie,” also known as Tallahatchie County http://bit.ly/1TL3Ny6. From Charleston, I continued westward crossing the Tallahatchie River into Webb, then on to Sumner and through Tutwiler and up to Clarksdale. You see, my next novel is one that will take place for the most part in the Mississippi Delta, and driving through those old haunts brought back memories that will certainly add depth and texture to the story.

One of Several Tallahatchie River Bridges

One of Several Tallahatchie River Bridges

Tallahatchie County has a mystique about it that many of the locals don’t recognize, the duck hunters don’t get and the rest of us marvel at the wayIMG_3328.CR2 (Small) one marvels at something exceptional that we don’t  quite understand—kind of like an exceptionally good bird dog or maybe, Jennifer Lopez. Me, I’d choose the bird dog over Jennifer, but then I’m married and it’s a matter of survival…you know?  So, anyway I drove down into the Delta today, took some photos and made some observations. The photos below include the main drag of the booming metropolis of Webb, The Tallahatchie River Bridge and the railroad that was once the old Illinois Central, now the CN.

Meanwhile, if you’ve read any of my Vietnam Series of novels please sit down now and write a review about it. I don’t care what you write as long as you tell the truth and post it all over hell and back i.e. Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and wherever. Reviews tell potential readers if my stuff is worth their time, but then only you are the judge of that.

The Main Drag, Webb, Mississippi

The Main Drag, Webb, Mississippi

The Old Illinois Central Main Line, now the CN

The Old Illinois Central Main Line, now the CN

The Tallahatchie County Court House

The Tallahatchie County Court House

 

You may also enjoy: Tallahatchie and Road Trip to the Tennessee Overhill

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