After years of struggle and now years of success, author Charlie Donlea started his talk to BWW members as most writers do – with a good hook. “Growing up I was not a reader or a writer. I never took a writing class and didn’t read a novel until I was 21 years old.” I was hooked. How did he become an accomplished writer of thrillers? He spoke of craft in a way that only someone who has published multiple books and writes 1,000 words a day could.
BWW member Sharon Bossard introduces author Charle Donlea at Barrington’s White House.
To demonstrate the important role a first sentence plays in hooking the reader Donlea read some from his books. Consider this one in “Don’t Believe It”: The blood was a problem. He revealed: “The first line is the last line I write.”
He’s an outliner. While each of his books includes a dead body, it is the skeleton (outline) that guides his writing. For him the outline directs what he will write about each day. It’s a choice each writer needs to make. He positioned it as Plotting versus Pantsing. He opened the idea to the audience asking which one we preferred. As expected, there was a variety of replies. He encouraged each writer to find their own process.
Initially his focus is on the first 50 pages and the last 50 pages. That is, the first and last chapters. In the first chapter he introduces the main character, conflict and setting. The last chapter contains the climax and resolution. It’s the middle, what he calls the “tough 200” where many challenges exist and suspense must unfold in steps.
His wife and sister read his first drafts. He trusts them to critique it much like our members do during our weekly BWW meetings. When editing and revising, rather than banish words forever he creates a “deleted scenes file” in order to make cutting words easier.
Writers block is something he doesn’t contend with. Rather than a block, he looks at it as a question: What to write next? He shakes the bones of his skeleton (outline). “Maybe write a scene and fill in the rest later,” he said. He doesn’t write sequentially or get hung up on research. When writing a complicated scene outside his area of knowledge he gives it to a subject matter expert to confirm or negate what he’s written.
After years of trying Donlea got good at some career advice he was given: Read from the writer’s perspective and write from the reader’s perspective.
Rejections and disappointments didn’t stop him. His quest was not to send a message or advocate for a cause in his books. He wants to entertain, grip the reader and lead them through a satisfying story.
During the public portion of his presentation Donlea discussed his journey to publication. Many BWW members stayed on and got more inspired.
In the public portion of his talk author Charlie Donlea discusses the path he took to getting his work published.Here’s what some BWW members had to say about their day with author Charlie Donlea.
Here’s how some BWW members described their day with Charlie Donlea.
Emily Hartnell, Zoom morning group: “I found enlightening his talk to BWW members regarding what started him writing, his writing process and his experience of getting published. His talk to the public including what inspires his topics and the progression of his success was entertaining as well as informative. He’s a very good speaker.”
Jennifer Buehler, In-person morning group manuscript chair: “I have never heard anyone better explain how difficult it is to get to the position he is in and be so successful. It was fascinating.”
Keith Mulford, Zoom evening manuscript chair: – “I loved it. I love his books with all their twists and turns. His presentation was downhome – talking with us, not lecturing us. It was a conversation.”
Sheila Valesano, In-person morning group: “I thought his journey was very insightful. A real learning lesson through all of it. I appreciated his humor while telling his story.”
Miles Ducore, Zoom morning group: “Donlea gave a presentation at Barrington’s White House that informed and entertained. He described how the fire and personal drive to recreate the delight he felt when reading John Grisham’s book ‘The Firm’ led him after years of trial and error, to eight successful thrillers.”
Tamara Tabel, BWW member: “His talk was straightforward and practical. He showed that being a writer can be challenging but you have to stick with it.”
Alex Oleksiuk, Zoom evening group: “It was good to hear about his journey. With all the wisdom was a human perspective on what it takes to get there.”
Rollin Potter, Barrington director of cultural affairs: “The presentation was exciting and in depth. Very encouraging for writers and readers too.”
Author Charlie Donlea signs a book for BWW member Alex Oleksiuk.
Donlea signed books after his talk. He and we appreciate independent bookstore Read Between the Lynes that supplied the books and supported Charlie Donlea’s journey. Of the store, he said “They’ve been with me from the start.”
Attendance at the talk was good including members of local book clubs and readers of all genres. The BWW collaboration with the Barrington Cultural Commission has impact. Spread the word about these literary events at Barrington’s White House!
