HALLIE EPHRON: One of my favorite things that, from time to time, I get invited to do is moderate a panel of authors whose work I admire. I admit, I love being in charge. (Jerry's nearly daily request of me was "Stop being so directive." As if I ever could.)
But also I'm fascinated by how different each of our writing processes is, AND how amazing it is that any of us actually writes a publishable novel. It's SO hard.
Yesterday, we posted the video of the wonderful panel of authors (Lucy Burdette, Elise Hart Kipess, and Sarah Stewart Taylor) talking and me moderating, talking about the ins and outs, the challenges and joys of writing a mystery.
The audience (full house at the Milton Public Library) was completely rapt from the first moment. It worked so well because these authors were wonderfully open and honest, articulate and smart. Also because their novels are so different from one other.
I can also take some credit for the evening's success. First of course I was on home turf. Then I did not hijack the discssion by talking about my books.
And finally I'd PLANNED, done my research, and come up with some really juicy questions that dug into the processes that these writers follow to write their books.
Today I thought I'd share some of those questions... and maybe next time you go to an author talk (which I hope will be often!) you will have ideas for questions you might ask near the end of the event when it opens up for questions."
QUESTIONS
- Was your published book's Page One the first thing you wrote, and how did it change from first draft to published book?
-
What was the hardest thing for you about writing your first crime novel? And what about now after (how many?)
books? Where would you categorize your latest book on the spectrum of crime fiction (cozy? thriller? hardboiled??), and do you think about the expectations of THAT audience when you're writing? How does who YOU are and your experiences shape your protagonist? How did you meet the challenge of making the reader believe that your main character would do all the dangerous things they do in order to solve the crime? Do you plan out the story or just sit down at the computer, pull the cord, and let 'er rip? What's your writing day like? Which part of a book is the most challenging for you to write? And which part do you enjoy most?
I could go on and on but it was absolutely fascinating to hear Lucy, Elise, and Sarah address questions like these. If you missed it, go to yesterday's blog and watch the video.
What kinds of questions do you like to hear answered at author talks??
These are great questions, Hallie; they're definitely the kinds of things I'd want to ask if I were in the audience . . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks Joan …
DeleteI like your questions Hallie. They are very thoughtful and applicable to many author interviews. I think I am going to use some of them.
ReplyDeleteOh good! Is there a question that you like to ask??
DeleteThese really are great questions. I don't have much opportunity to hear author talks in English, but they are also good questions for a writer to keep in mind, especially if starting a new book. i.e. #s 4, 5, &7. (Counting down, since you didn't number them.)
ReplyDeleteSo interesting. I think I’m good at questions because I’m thoughtful about writing and I’ve been teaching it for so long. I really thought about what makes it tick.
DeleteHallie is the best moderator! She makes everyone sound smart:)
ReplyDeleteMe: blushing
DeleteI like your questions Hallie.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dru Ann - your ace is at this kind of stuff too
DeleteI especially love the two first questions and the last one.
ReplyDeleteI’m always interested to know about the creation of the main character and than, about his or her evolution if it is a series.
The answers are Often so revealing
DeleteVery interesting questions, Hallie. As Elizabeth up above said, these are good questions for authors to keep in mind as they start a new book. (Along with about a million other things they need to keep in mind too!)
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha. Yes, writing is not for the faint of heart.
DeleteI think your questions are great, Hallie! I love to hear about the author's background and how it affects their writing. Your question about the first page is really interesting.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm missing something, but the only video I found yesterday was a 48 second one that showed pictures from the event--I would love to see/hear the whole thing, if it's available.
Me too!
DeleteI’m so sorry. That’s what I thought I posted.
DeleteIs there an actual video of the panel, Hallie, rather than the 48 second one? If so, maybe you could add it to today's post. I'd love to see the panel.
DeleteIn The Mango Murders, Lucy/Roberta had a character comment wondering if writers feel a bit of grief when a book, short story, article, etc., is finished. Is that just the character talking or does it come from real life experiences authors have shared? -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteI have the same question Victoria, hopefully Lucy can weigh in on her thoughts.
DeleteHALLIE: These are great questions. Thank you for the list of questions so if I become a published author and you invite me to be on your panel, then I would know in advance what the questions are. Reminded me of when I went to Bouchercon and saw Hank interview Jacqueline Winspear. On another note, I noticed you used the word "articulate" in today's post, which led me to thinking about this wonderful memoir, which I just finished reading last night.
ReplyDeleteARTICULATE by Rachel Kolb was launched this week. It is a Deaf Memoir of Voice, which I thought was fitting because it was about the author's journey growing up as a deaf person, discussing her experiences using speech. Like me, she grew up with parents who communicated in Sign Language even though her parents could hear. Like me, she studied at Oxford. I am still thinking about the book. On social media, there is a reel of different deaf people showing their signs for the word "articulate".
Thanks Diana - you’ve got me wanting to read that
DeleteGreat questions, Hallie. I wish you moderated some of the panels I've been on.
ReplyDeleteIt’s excruciating to watch a badly managed panel… Or one where the moderator dominates and talks about their own books or when one of the panelist takes over and misbehaves. It helps to have great Panelists
DeleteGreat questions, Hallie! You give an author something to work with at an event. I do like Victoria's question: does an author grieve after finishing a book? I would imagine there could be many emotions that an author might feel--especially given the nature of any given story, the character arc, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt’s the silver lining of a series. Unless you kill off your main character, of course… And then endure the slings and arrows of your fondest fans.
DeleteHallie, your questions are very good for drawing out the author’s experiences. I haven’t seen you in “action” as a moderator, but think I would enjoy your panels. I was at one panel at the most recent Bouchercon where the moderator was about ten minutes late. The authors took over and were doing just fine without him because they were engaging with each other. I was at a panel at Left Coast Crime last March where all the moderator did was offer the authors a choice of four lines (a - d) and they had to guess which one they’d written. It didn’t reveal anything about the authors other than they were very patient (which I wasn’t. I left before the time was up.) — Pat S
ReplyDeleteUgh, both of those experiences are problematic.
DeleteI remember one LCC panel on a Sunday morning where the moderator did not show up at all!
JENN was a panellist as was Donna Andrews. They're veterans so they ably ran the panel once they realized he was MIA.
Those are great questions, Hallie and I'm saving them for my own use next time I'm at a panel. What I am always interested in is how the author's life and views intersect with their characters' -- that is, where did the ideas come from and how did the author weave together the story from their own experience coupled with their imagination. I trust that none of the Reds has ever murdered anyone, but each of you writes about that so there surely must be something in the story you create that arises from a personal curiosity or experience...yes? no?
ReplyDeleteA perfect set of questions, Hallie - which is no surprise at all. I'm often asked where I get my ideas, what I'm reading, and what my writing day is like. And, because I write multiple series, how I keep my characters distinct and do I ever get mixed up!
ReplyDeleteThose are perfect, of course!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, these are great questions.
ReplyDeleteA well prepared moderator can make or break a panel. I have seen plenty of both!