Best-selling and critically acclaimed author Louise Penny used to have something in common with many family historians — inability to start writing.
While fans of her 13 novels may find it hard to believe, Ms. Penny used to be paralyzed with the very thought of writing until she wrote her first book in her mid-forties.
She used to think every word she wrote had to be perfect, right from the beginning. The fear of failure had held her back.
The author of the award-winning Armand Gamache series of murder mysteries that take place in Quebec’s Eastern Townships told a sold-out crowd at McGill University last week, “Trying and not succeeding wasn’t going to kill (her group of artistic friends). The not trying would. And that’s where I was. I wasn’t even trying.”
During her talk, Murder for a Living, Ms. Penny shared her challenges and the choices involved in writing her mystery novels. Her talk was recorded and is available on YouTube. (Link below.)
Not only is Ms. Penny a popular writer, she is an excellent story teller. The question and answer session after her talk is equally good. If anyone in the audience had not read her books before her talk, they probably are doing so now.
Thank You so much for introducing me to this author.
I bought the first three, Loved the first one and then they just kept getting better. What a great way to express the Franco / Anglo culture in Quebec. I found myself trying to read faster because I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next and chuckling at some of the … oh so familiar cultural phrases.
Glad to learn you are enjoying Louise Penny’s books.
Hi Gail,
I concur with the comments above; this author has saved my summer! I have read two already and I must say that I love Three Pines and its characters. I lived in the Saguenay/Arvida area for 4 years so I really get the culture. Louise’s writing is excellent.
Thanks for posting this blog and the introduction.
B