April 13, 2011

I’m going to reveal my age here–I was born the same year as John-Boy Walton. I loved the Walton family, I own all ten seasons of their show, all the specials, and a few books about them.

 

So when our plane was overbooked and we didn’t get on our overseas flight, we drove from Baltimore to Norfolk, VA, to catch a plane flying out of the Naval Base there. We had four days to relax and read. I was looking at a map of Virginia when suddenly the words “Walton’s Mountain Museum” leaped out at me.

Forty Years Ago!

There it was! Right in the Blue Ridge Mountains, very near Rockfish. The Museum was in Schuyler, the small town where Earl Hamner, Jr. (creator of the Waltons) grew up. The drive took longer than expected, and we very nearly didn’t get there on time to see the 30-minute video before going through the museum. I was entranced, enthralled…

This was my favorite family during their ten-year run on TV. They were considered a goody-goody kind of show. When they were put on the air in September (’73, I think), they were in the same time slot as Flip Wilson’s comedy show and “The Mod Squad.” Earl Hamner said they didn’t think the series had a prayer against those two popular shows–but by Christmas just three months later, “The Waltons” was #1. They remained popular for ten years.

Write What You Know

I always love to see the homes of writers. The Hamner home on a steep hillside (above) was modest for a family that included eight children. The country store sits on the spot where Earl Hamner, Jr. had a writing shed. The church they attended was just around the corner on the country road. We passed several logging trucks and loggers at work as we neared Schuyler–everything very “Walton.”

Whether you loved the Waltons or not, as writers it’s worth thinking about its popularity at a time that everything was “mod” and becoming irreverent. Earl Hamner, Jr. tapped into something that spoke to people. First his books, and then the shows made from his books. How did he do it? He followed the advice of “write what you know.”

Writing That Connects

He studied people–and what made them tick. He knew specific details: the birds, the trees, the wildflowers on the mountain.

He observed dynamics between people and got to the heart of what made a common man heroic. He wrote and rewrote and rewrote some more.

Hamner is 88 now and lives in California, but you can still buy his autographed books at his boyhood home.

I left the mountain inspired.

[Leave a comment if you were/are a Walton's fan!]

9 Comments »

1. 

   One of eight children myself, I was definitely a Walton’s fan! Fortunately, it was aired on one of the three channels that our television was able to pick up.

   Talk about family dynamics. My niece once said that I could write a book!

   (I write for local magazines and Focus on Women; my non-fiction article will be published in Hopscotch for Girls in 2013).

   I enjoy your blog. Thanks.

   Comment by Linda K. Eaves — April 13, 2011 @ 9:42 am

2. 

   I liked the Waltons a lot. Very insightful comment that they became popular at a time when the rest of TV was becoming brash and irreverent. My MIL’s two favorite shows were The Waltons and All in the Family! With a good helping of Little House in there, too.

   Comment by Marcia — April 13, 2011 @ 10:35 am

3. 

   Hi Kristi,

   That’s very cool that you got to see the museum I used to love the show when I was a kid. John-Boy was my favorite, of course. I enjoy seeing the actors on other shows and movies now, such as John Sr. who now guest stars occassionally on NCIS. When there are a lot of people around saying goodbye or goodnight to each other, I still say “Goodnight John-Boy” at the end I just can’t help myself…

   I’m very happy to hear you got to visit your dream set. I would LOVE to visit Dallas and see Southfork someday… Take care.

   Comment by Andrea B. — April 13, 2011 @ 11:52 am

4. 

   Remember the episode John-Boy’s novel is destroyed in the fire? If I remember correctly, he rewrote the whole thing and improved it. The loss of his manuscript turned out to be a blessing.

   Comment by Debbie — April 13, 2011 @ 2:04 pm

5. 

   I only ever watched them in reruns…but my sister was named for Erin Walton…lol

   In your post, what jumped out at me was “four days to relax and read”. Whoa. Utopia.

   Comment by Yvette — April 13, 2011 @ 8:26 pm

6. 

   I’m a big Waltons fan, too. Thanks for sharing and for your always inspiring blog.

   Comment by Marcia — April 14, 2011 @ 5:53 am

7. 

   I loved the Walton’s when I was growing up. Your post about them was right on. Thanks for sharing.

   Comment by Anne — April 16, 2011 @ 3:19 pm

8. 

   Thank you ALL for sharing your memories and feelings about the Waltons. Yes, I remember the show where his manuscript burned up. I felt so TERRIBLE then, and I had no notion of becoming a writer at the time.

   Yes, the four days to relax was unreal and wonderful! Turned out to be a good thing–we came home to a family emergency where I was needed for a couple of weeks. Very providential, that four-day rest!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — April 16, 2011 @ 6:13 pm

9. 

   And not only are these classic Chanel handbags utterly fabulous-in both style and functionality-but they also has a story to tell. The history of the chanel 2.55 flap purse is downright whimsical.

   Comment by chanel australia — September 1, 2011 @ 10:21 am

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