One True Sentence
Hemingway's advice to this writer
"The writer's job is to tell the truth." Ernest Hemingway’s comment in his writing memoir, A Moveable Feast has guided me as I struggle to tell historical narratives. When I stare at all my research, trying to write a scene worthy of the reader, I hear Hemingway: "You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. . . and then go on from there.”
That is the promise I made to anyone who picks up my books, articles, or even this Substack newsletter. I want to tell the truth, in an interesting way, without making things up. Oh, it would be easy to backfill the truth with a load of lore and urban legend, but then it would not be based on one true sentence.
I get calls, if not weekly, then monthly asking for an interview about Lake Lanier. I always disappoint content producers who want sensationalism. They want to know about the haunted ladies and the big catfish. Always curious why there are so many drownings on Lake Lanier. Lately, people (who have not read my book, Underwater Ghost Towns of North Georgia) want to drag me down to Oscarville - the portion under the lake - to discuss a horrific event from the turn of the century and tie it to the forming of Lake Lanier. Be careful of fake history.
Last year, the Travel channel’s popular show interviewed me and turned what I said into a paranormal show. Thank you, Lord they cut me from that show, even though they took my research and images without permission. When the History channel called, I told them that I did not make up things to support local legends. I was able to tie what I knew to possible curses on the land and on the lake. The UneXplained with William Shatner respected that.
I have not been able to watch the final show (as of this writing) because I am a chicken! I hate watching myself. I also had a lingering cold that took my normal voice and gave me a Mae West tonality. The experience working with the producers was the best I have had while trying to tell one true sentence.
I know you are a history lover because you are a subscriber to this humble newsletter. Work with me on telling the truth so we can preserve the treasure that is our story - our one true history.
New Books
I just signed two contracts with History Press on two new books all due this year. The first one continues the Mill Towns with the information I left out - The Lost Mills of Fulton County. The second book due in January 2023 is the Covered Bridges of Georgia. I welcome any information you have hidden away about either topic. Email me at russellink@gmail.com with anything you are willing to share about Fulton Mills or Covered Bridges. My books are better when you are involved.
Tedx
I am not sure what I am allowed to share about this, but I was asked to be in a Tedx Talk. If you do not know Ted Talks, watch some on YouTube. I use them all the time when I teach. Here is one of my favorite Ted Talks I use in my Communication classes:
These are engineered 15-minute speaking events - I am honored to be asked, but struggling through the process. I bet you can guess what I will be talking about - North Georgia history preservation. More on this later, stay tuned.