Minute of Meeting Erskine Writers 20 February 2024
14 Attended, 3 apologies.
Members advised of recent successes. John Spence had been invited to write and direct a short film for an amateur dramatic group. The 10 minute film would be shown at 2 film festivals. Members would have the opportunity to see it in due course.
Jeannie advised she had given up sending her young adult novel to publishers and decided to self publish. She felt this route gave her greater control and allowed her to choose front cover.
Sandra handed formal invitations to the launch of her latest crime novel Out of Darkness. Waterstones, Sauchiehall Street on 28 March. She has lots of gigs in March, one in Bella Prison in Dundee. Also attending the launch of Marie Cassidy's first crime novel.
The main part of meeting involved a workshop by Sandra on 'How to Start a Crime Novel'. She started by demonstrating openings from a variety of well known crime authors. She highlighted:
1. No right or wrong way but must hook the reader
2. Don't use a cliche as a first line.
3. Editors and agents are likely to only read first 3 chapters and synopsis if lucky.
4. Editors receive piles of possible manuscripts and they know what is a goer immediately
Therefor vital you get the beginning right.
First paragraph must avoid minutiae and take reader straight to main thrust of the story and in doing so provide the hook that will make the reader want to know more. Writer could use dialogue, description of setting, a blunt first person account of the main facts of the story, or a mention of murder. They could use a short, sharp shock by beginning with the voice of a victim.
After discussion members given 15 minutes to write an effective opening paragraph. Everyone read their opening to the group and Sandra provided constructive feedback.
Finally we were given 2 silhouette pictures and tasked to write 1500 words as a short story for woman's magazine by 16th April. To be Adjudicated by Sandra's daughter.
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