The Great Smokies Writing Program

While writers need their solitude and their own individual response to “place,” they also grow through their relationships with each other. How do writers find other writers in a community?  How do they encourage and support each other? Where do beginning writers turn for help?

Richard Chess, a poet and professor at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and former Asheville resident novelist Valery Leff were asking themselves those questions in 2000 when they were introduced by Debbie McGill, then the long-time literature director of the North Carolina Arts Council.

The two writers began discussing a community writing program. They approached Asheville novelist Tommy Hays who agreed to become executive director of the Great Smokies Writing Program. Leff served as co-director. The program launched with two classes, which were not for college credit. After three years of successful and popular classes, it was clear that the program needed more structure. Elaine Fox, head of extension and distance education at UNC-A, became the administrative head, and course credit became available through the university. Leff later moved away from Asheville, and Chess became the co-director.

The program has continued to grow and now offers eight to 10 classes during fall and spring semesters and four in the summer.  Courses range from writing the novel and creative non-fiction to poetry and memoir. The faculty consists of talented, published writers from the region. Some of the faculty are professors at area colleges and universities. Some are freelance writers, often with master’s degrees in creative writing. The classes meet at various locations but never on the UNC-A campus. Asheville School has often donated a classroom, and classes have also been held at the Randolph Learning Center, Covenant Reform Presbyterian, and the YMI Cultural Center (all in Asheville). Spring semester 2009 include classes in Hendersonville, N.C. and Burnsville, N.C.

Tommy Hays has seen this program through all its years of growth. One of the exciting ongoing events to emerge has been a regular series of readings called “Writers At Home,” held the third Sunday of each month (except for summer) at Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville. The readings feature writers in every genre, including some who have participated in the Great Smokies Writing Program, as well as other writers from the region and beyond. Hays coordinates these readings, invites the writers, and handles publicity.

He observes that the students have become increasingly serious and competent. A number of the students go on to publish fiction, non-fiction, or poetry or continue to work on degrees in creative writing, using the credit from the Great Smokies classes toward their goal.

“People have found their voice,” said Elaine Fox. 

As beloved North Carolina poet and novelist Fred Chappell says, “If you’re going to be a universal writer, you’ve got to be regional first. Look at Don Quixote, the most universal book of all. It takes place in dusty little rural areas of Southern Spain.”

For more information on the Great SmokiesWriting Program as well as schedules for Writers at Home go to www.unca.edu/gswp.