I listened to an NPR interview with native North Carolinian Ron Rash, author of a short story collection entitled "Nothing Gold Can Stay," which I have not read. I haven't read anything else of his, either - but was quite impressed with the interview.
A few observations on storytelling:
1. Find the universal in the particular (answering a question on why he stays in NC). I believe he cited Eudora Welty here ( a good researcher would confirm that). The best regional writers know this: imagine William Faulkner in the San Fernando Valley, or the Columbia Gorge. No.
2. If you don't get the small things right, they won't believe the big lies.
3. Your landscape is your destiny. His example was "The Great Gatsby." To paraphrase, 'no one but a Midwesterner could have written that book.'
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