Six Interesting Things about Me

The Geography of a Story

I’ve been thinking a lot about the dirt roads and rolling hills of my home in Eastern Kentucky. When I was a girl in 6th grade—back when that first "writer's high" hit—I used to think that to tell a great story, I had to write about far-off cities or high-flying jets. I thought my small town was too quiet for the "professional" talent my teacher saw in me.
But as I look at my four children today, especially as I reflect on the resilience we’ve gained through my child’s HLHS journey, I realize that the best stories aren't found in the destination—they are found in the roots.
What I’ve Learned Since the "Spark"
• The Power of Quiet: In a small community, you learn to listen to the silence. That silence is where my best ideas for Short Stories usually hide, often while I’m doing the laundry or trying to catch a few hours of sleep.
• Grit is a Heritage: Overcoming addiction and facing the loss of my father taught me that "resilience" isn't just a buzzword; it’s a survival skill I learned from the people back home.
• The Fighter & The Dreamer: I may not have become a jet fighter pilot, but I fight every day on the page. Writing is how I navigate the "rock bottom" moments and turn them into something beautiful.
A Question for the Community
I’m still working on filling all six spots in my Six Interesting Things book. It’s a process of rediscovery.
Does your hometown still influence the "vibe" of your writing, or have you left those roots behind to create something entirely new?
~Emberly Gray~

~Emberly Gray~