Local author Larry N. Madison Sr. is a man filled with stories and witticisms, and although he’s only now putting metaphorical pen to paper in the world of publishing, he is nonetheless proud to announce his first novel, “Blue-Eyed Pig: Humor, Romance & War.”
At 85 years young, the Union County native admits he got a late start in life when it comes to sharing his musings, but he does have some history with the written word.
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“I had this insatiable appetite to put things in writing that came into my mind,” Madison said, revealing that, even before settling into retirement, he dabbled in poetry and short stories. “I hesitated to put things down to show my ignorance because, you know, there’s this old saying that it doesn’t take long for an idiot to open his mouth and prove he is one.”
But Madison ultimately overcame his hesitation; after attending a creative writing class at Kennesaw University, he learned he had things he wanted to say – and share. Harnessing good humor and a desire to invoke deep thought, Madison allowed himself to be “bit by the writing bug.”
Enter the protagonist of “Blue-Eyed Pig,” Fletcher “Fletch” Tatum, born on an outstandingly cold day in early 1922. A country boy through and through, he grew up on the family farm near his best friend Billy Farthington. Their friendship is a key aspect of the novel, with Fletch often acting as the sense of reason to Billy’s adventurous nature.
As indicated by the subtitle, the book follows Fletch through his life, including all the turning points that come with growing up and learning to define oneself. It is a story founded in humor and personal experience, even if Madison himself never saw World War II like his main character.
That level of personalization comes from the heritage that the book showcases. Upton County serves as the fictional counterpart to Union County, and Blairsville is renamed to Anniston. People of Appalachia have their own distinct culture, and Madison reflects this in his writing by leveraging dialect, mountain folklore and more.
From the beginning, Madison wanted to stick to writing things he knew, but he has faced many questions regarding his decision to fictionalize the setting. By donning that mask, he wanted readers unfamiliar with the area to be able to connect to the region while setting aside any preconceived notions they may have.
Another layer of complexity built into the story is Madison’s regard for the novel as autobiographical to an extent, in the sense that some of Fletch’s – and Billy’s – actions echo his own escapades.
“Certain things in the book, I did, and those burned into my mind, and I’ll never forget them,” said Madison, adding that his sister asked him what part of Fletch he felt represented him.
His response? “Only the good parts.”
Other people played roles in bringing “Blue-Eyed Pig” together, too. Some characters are inspired by local historical figures – with names changed to protect privacy and legacy – while others arrive from a place much closer to home for Madison.
For example, in the opening scene of the book, Fletch’s mother, Julia, is wrapped in a quilt decorated with the Star of David as snowflakes filter into the room from a draft in the wall to gather over top of her. The striking image comes from a tale relayed to Madison about the circumstances of his own birth and a blanket his mother owned.
Madison recognizes that the title is unusual, but that, he says, is part of the draw. The eponymous blue-eyed pig appears only once, in a story within a story, but Madison wanted something that would grab readers’ attention and set his book apart from the rest.
“I think writing – it’s like a baptism; you do some soul cleansing and some soul searching,” Madison divulged, believing that the craft helps the author come to self-understanding. Indeed, reflection and catharsis played a role in his decision to pursue the hobby.
Although there were a few initial months of planning, the writing for “Blue-Eyed Pig” took place over about six months. According to Madison, the longest part of the process was the revision stage because of correspondence between himself and the editor.
To explain how the whole project came to fruition, Madison compared it to giving birth. The initial concept of the story matures and changes during production to become something new and better. Just as a child may serve as the legacy of their parents, so too does a book to its author.
“That’s the way it’s kind of gone with me,” Madison said. “You have to have an idea, (which grows from there).”
While independently published, the book can be found on Amazon, and so far, Madison said the experience of doing business with the major American company has been a pleasant one.
In fact, Madison plans to continue down that path. He’s certainly not done writing and has a compilation of short stories in the works that he hopes to complete at a later date. He is currently working on a novel intended more for adults than younger readers, and it should be released this fall.
