'Knockemstiff' is a collection of short stories set in the holler of the same name in southern Ohio where I grew up. I tried to link the stories together through the place and some recurring characters. Donald Ray Pollock charactercollectiongrow share on social
I listen to a lot of different stuff, from Mozart to Johnny Dowd to Monster Magnet. I don't listen to music while I'm writing a draft, but I do listen to it when I'm revising. Donald Ray Pollock dowddraftjohnny Change image and share on social
I would try to write my own story about some East Coast suburbanite having an affair or something like that. So I did that for maybe two years or so, and it just wasn't working for me at all. Donald Ray Pollock affaircoasteast Change image and share on social
I spent thirty-two years in a paper mill in southern Ohio, and before that, I worked in a meatpacking plant and a shoe factory. Donald Ray Pollock factorymeatpackingmill Change image and share on social
Don't get me wrong: I think that everyone should put forth an effort to do better, but let's face it, some of us are just plain luckier than others. Donald Ray Pollock effortfacelucky Change image and share on social
I sort of like writing about weird characters, I guess. Donald Ray Pollock characterguesssort Change image and share on social
I was always a big reader, even when everything was bad and miserable. Donald Ray Pollock badbigmiserable Change image and share on social
Nobody really turns out too happy in any of my stuff. It's really strange, because I'm actually a pretty happy person. I'm not walking around giggling or anything like that, but I've got this feeling that everything is okay with my life. Donald Ray Pollock feltgigglehappy share on social
I'm probably the least cerebral guy you're ever going to meet as a writer. Donald Ray Pollock cerebralguymeet Change image and share on social
I was 35 when I started taking classes at Ohio University. After I got my degree, I kept working at the mill. When I was 45, I decided I was going to try to learn how to write short stories. Donald Ray Pollock classdecidedegree Change image and share on social
