Boston Book Festival 2018

Have you ever wondered how an author chose details to bring a place to life, why she chose her narrative’s point(s) of view, or how he captured a character’s distinctive personality? In these three sessions, writers will open up about the nuts and bolts of their craft. Our host for each session will lead an audience discussion of a very short excerpt from each author’s work before bringing the author into the conversation to contextualize the excerpt, discuss her or his choices, and answer questions from the audience. A unique alternative to traditional readings, these sessions will appeal not only to aspiring fiction writers but also to readers looking to enrich their reading experience. This session will consist of three twenty-minute guided explorations of the work of authors whose recent novels develop indelible, unforgettable characters: Lise Haines (When We Disappear), Jaap Robben (You Have Me to Love), and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (Sketchtasy). Our host is novelist Michelle Hoover, author most recently of Bottomland. Sponsored by Emerson College.