Join authors’ debate on art of good beginnings

How do you grab readers’ attention? Members of the Salem Mystery Writers Group will discuss the art of writing good beginnings at the next Meet the Author event on Wednesday, June 10, at 7:00 p.m. Anyone who has struggled to write an opening sentence or who enjoys a good literary discussion is welcome to join the panel for a lively debate about what makes a good beginning.

Authors have about 100 to 200 words to interest an editor or reader in their stories. Without a good beginning their works are unlikely to be read. The Salem Mystery Writers, a group of published authors, will share some of their published and unpublished beginnings. Afterward they will open up the discussion. Audience members may bring a beginning of their own to read’one page or no more than 250 words. Together the group will consider beginnings and engage in a good-natured, compassionate deconstruction of the art.

Members of the Salem Mystery Writers Group include Margaret Press, Susan Oleksiw, Joy Seymour, John Urban, William Joyner, Larry Griffin and Rae Francoeur.

The Meet the Author series is sponsored by the Rockport Public Library, the Friends of the Library, and Toad Hall Bookstore. The next event in the series will be humorist Steve Almond on Wednesday, July 1, at 7:00 p.m.