Wouldn't it be great, I thought, to bring them to my very own Milton Library.
So I proposed an author panel (I'd get to moderate!) to the president of the Friends of the Milton Library and to the wonderful librarians, and got an enthusiastic thumbs-up!
Lucy made up the description of the event with the enticing title, MAKE MINE MURDER and invited patrons to come for a "look behind the scenes of bestselling whodunits, edge-of-your-seat thrillers, and literary mysteries to discover how these authors craft suspense, plot their twists, and bring their unforgettable characters to life."
By the way, we have a brand new local independent bookstore (Next Chapter Books & More in Quincy, MA) that sold a very nice amount of books.
Irresistible, right? I am so pleased to be able to share with you a video of the event... credit to videographer Alyssa Flori.
What a wonderful idea! What was the most surprising thing you heard from these authors?
ReplyDeleteHow different each of these writers approach the task of writing a novel And how much pleasure they obviously get from doing what they do
DeleteI wonder the same thing Joan did: what was the most surprising insight? Oh, and were there any handouts?
ReplyDeleteOh, why didn't we hear about this in advance!
ReplyDeleteIt was only in person. No zoom, I’m just posting the video after the fact and the library did a great job publicizing it locally in their newsletter and we sent press release to the local paper… It was a full house.
DeleteIt looks like a very fun event!
ReplyDeleteIt was so much fun - the time flew
DeleteWas the turnout predominately women or a mix of male and female? Did you all sit down to determine Hallie's questions or did she just pop you with them at the program? Our library system has recently adopted the host interviewing the writer vs the writer speaking using prepared notes. Which format, as writers do you prefer? -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteI prepared. I always do come with questions. I like to ask the authors to read a tiny bit from their work often the opening and talk about whether that was the first thing they wrote the last thing they wrote or it came out during the editing process. People are endlessly, fascinated by how we make the sausages. But I don’t tell the authors what I’m gonna ask because I find it that there’s more spontaneity and interaction among them when they address a question fresh. And yes, of course it was mostly women in the audience and a cadre of men in the back. Watch the video!
DeleteThe video showed activities but had a music overlay, no author comments came through.
DeleteThat was Victoria. Also, in The Mango Murders a comment was made that an author grieved a bit when a book, article, etc. was finished. Was Lucy/Roberta reflecting on how she feels when a book is put to bed or was it just the character's POV? --Victoria
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea Hallie! Kudos to you and everyone else who made it possible.
ReplyDeleteI loved being part of the evening! Thanks again, Hallie, Lucy, and Elise! Hallie's questions were really thought provoking. I especially loved hearing about the different aspects of writing that were tough for each of us when writing our first books.
ReplyDeleteAlso, apparently I do something weird with my lips when I'm listening to other people talk!
DeleteWhat a fabulous event!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know who each author's influences are/were when plotting, creating characters, etc.
ReplyDeleteOr who their favorite early crime writers are/were?
What a frabjous idea, Hallie! And of course you had a crowd. Wish I’d been there. Xo
ReplyDeleteWoulda loved to see you Anne
DeleteThat must have been so much fun! I would love to have an event like that locally.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun, Hallie! I so wish I'd been there. And I was disappointed when I realized it wasn't a video of the actual panel:-( I'd have loved that!
ReplyDeleteMaybe something the Reds will consider in future? Would love a panel and am guessing others would, too!
DeleteWow, that sounds like a fine gathering of 3 writers. Kudos to you and the Friends of the Milton library for organizing this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea you had, Hallie! If I lived near, I certainly would have been there. Talk about a wealth of mystery writing knowledge from the four of you, those who attended sure were lucky. I can't watch the video right now, but I will a little later today. I'm delighted we have access to a video of the event. That's so generous. I have one more doctor to talk to today, and then I can do other things. I am having knee replacement surgery on Oct. 3rd, and I had to rearrange a few other appointments. I'm having the surgery in Nashville because they are way ahead of our doctors here in their methods and technology for the surgery (they do a smaller incision on the side of the knee and not the long incision over the knee), much faster recovery time, and it's outpatient surgery, although I'll be there for a large part of the day. My doctor here recommended this doctor, as he had just recently done her father's knee replacement. Her father was driving after two weeks, and the doctor said some drive before that.
ReplyDeleteVery late today to comment here. It’s an off day for me feeling very tired despite sleeping 10 hours.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! Did all of the authors know each other before this event?
So wish I could have been there - what a fabulous panel!
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous!!! -- Denise Terry
ReplyDelete