Thrillers, traditional mysteries, cozies, spy stories, private eyes...all mysteries in all genres share these qualities: the plot is engaging; the characters are believable; and the narrative flows and draws readers into the story. This workshop will provide an in-depth overview of the craft of writing suspenseful page-turners.

Topics presented will include the following:

     About Plot: When and how to introduce the "narrative question"; how to plant clues and red herrings; and how to avoid "saggy middles."

     About Characterization: How to create a protagonist with enough depth to carry your mystery; how to integrate your characters' back stories into the narrative seamlessly; and how to develop memorable secondary and tertiary characters.

     About Narrative: How to balance dialogue, description, and action; and the difference between suspense and surprise, and when to use which.

This workshop, which will include a brief in-class writing exercise, is appropriate for writers at all levels. You'll leave this introductory session inspired to write your own can't-put-it-down mystery!

WHEN:
Saturday, January 30
9 a.m. to 12 noon

WHERE:
32 Webb Road, Westport

COST:
$150

For more information, or to register, log onto Westport Writers' Workshop and click on for instructions for registering by mail or with PayPal. 

For questions or more information see www.westportwritersworkshop.com or contact Jessica Bram at (203) 227-3250 or jessica@jbram.com.

The autumn foliage is in full fiery glory on a beautiful day in the little coastal town of Rocky Point, New Hampshire. Josie Prescott arrives at the town’s renovated lighthouse to conduct an antiques appraisal and is horrified to discover the bludgeoned body of her neighbor Zoë’s beloved nephew, Frankie. The owners of the lighthouse are avid antiques collectors, and Josie soon begins to suspect that a scrimshaw tooth from their collection may be the key to solving the crime that has shaken Rocky Point, and broken her dear friend’s heart. Join Josie as she uses her knowledge of antiques to solve the crime.

Jane loves libraries and she loves librarians. When she was young, she spent countless hours cruising the stacks, poking through books, and getting questions answered by librarians. One of her proudest accomplishments is seeing her books in libraries. She hears from her librarian friends that the Josie Prescott Antiques mysteries are very popular with their readers. Would you please pop into your local library and confirm that their copies of Silent Auction have been ordered? If not, you can descibe the series as: "A traditional, or cozy, mystery series that's often been reviewed as an Antiques Roadshow for mystery fans. Josie is an antiques appraiser who uses her knowledge of antiques to solve crimes." Thank you so much!

Winslow Homer is considered one of America's greatest artists. He lived overseas for many years, finally settling in Maine. Homer was a master printmaker as well as a painter. Often he used his own paintings as jumping off points to create prints. The print derived from this painting, The Herring Net, is pivotal to the plot in Silent Auction.

Josie expresses concern about the two fisherman. “The sea is rough and they're so far from the mother ship. Don't they look exhausted?” she asks.

P.S.  Please add "Jane_K._Cleland@mail.vresp.com" to your address book!