Q & A with Emily McMackin
Meet Emily McMackin, Hammock Publishing's newest writer.
Emily received her master's degree in journalism at The University of Alabama and began her career at The Decatur Daily, a mid-sized newspaper in Alabama. The past three years, she edited and designed weekly pages for teenagers and young adults and wrote stories about everything from breakups to blogging. "I dealt with more than 50 teen writers, who taught me a lot about life and fashion, and were nice enough to consider me hip," she says. "I learned that the angst they struggle with today really isnt that different from what mine was a teen."
Emily got used to a little Hammock hazing right away, as we peppered her with personal questions on everything from family to favorite sports teams to her addiction to soap operas.
After moving from Decatur, Ala., what has been the most surprising thing about Nashville?
The tourists with cowboy hats downtown and, of course, the traffic. I knew it would be rough, but until I became part of the commute, I had no idea how truly crazy it could get. I see this as the perfect opportunity, however, to hone my defensive driving skills. Ive been impressed by the courtesy of drivers; if youre stuck, someone always lets you in, as long as you give the little wave afterwards!
Tell us about your hometown and your family.
I grew up in Tuscumbia, a small North Alabama town, most famous for being Helen Kellers birthplace. Most of my family lives within 30 minutes of each other, which can drive us crazy, but also makes us close. Much of my dads side has middle Tennessee roots, and weve been slowly migrating back up here. When I told my grandfather about my move to Nashville, he said, Pretty soon, youll end up in Hollow Rock, the small Tennessee town he came from.
My dad, Mike, owns a small family business that sells filing systems and office furniture and, once upon a time, repaired typewriters (where I think I first got the writing bug). My mom, Rebekah, works as an elementary school counselor. My sister, Susanna, teaches middle school physical education. My baby sister, Lauren, is studying nursing in college.
Favorite sports team?
Once a Bama fan, always a Bama fan. Roll Tide!
Favorite author?
Im a big fan of Southern women writers like Eudora Welty and Flannery OConnor, but I also like Fanny Flagg because she is such a great storyteller.
Favorite musician?
I do love Neil Diamond! I grew up listening to his 8-tracks and loved him in The Jazz Singer.
Favorite magazines?
I like to read Time and National Geographic, but my guilty pleasures are People, Glamour and Cosmo.
Favorite Web site?
My favorite Web sites are Google, and Im embarrassed to admit, Soapnet.
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I am in a hammock T-shirt taken last week at Iowa 80 Truck Stop, The World's Largest Truck Stop, at Walcott Iowa, just off I-80 at exit 284.
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