Brogan: What Makes a Writer Write?

Concord's venerable Gibson's Bookstore is more than a place where you pick-up a book to wile away the hours. It's a gathering place and a destination stop for thousands from around the country. Visiting Concord is not complete without a stop at Gibson's.

The store not only stocks every imaginable kind of story, they also celebrate the enormously talented local authors. In a city that can justifiably boast of providing "something for everyone", the store's section for "Local Authors" holds scores of books of every genre. There are suspense thrillers, autobiographical stories, historical fiction, and any other type of book you might have an interest in reading.

Some of those talented individuals, have provided me with hundreds of hours of reading enjoyment and inspired me to want to sit down in front of the computer and create my own story.

In my case, I came to writing in my 50's. At Bishop Brady High School, I had teachers that urged and encouraged us to tell a story, even something as seemingly mundane as a book report, with an eye toward making it unique. Harvey Smith once said to me, "Brogan, write it with a goal of making everyone in the class want to run out and read it."

It may have taken a few decades for me to heed that advice, but I eventually did and found a profound satisfaction in telling a story that resonated with someone. I never wrote because I wanted to write a best-seller or win an award. I write because I have something I want to say.

Wednesday night, a group of local authors will tell their own stories about why they write and what inspires them to devote thousands of hours in the hope of creating something of value.

You don't have to be a fan of NHPR to know the name, Laura Knoy. For over a quarter of a century, she hosted the definitive morning program, "The Exchange". It was must-listening for tens of thousands of Granite Staters. Whatever the topic might be that day, Laura and her guests were mesmerizing.

Laura will be the moderator for the Wednesday evening event at the Bank of NH Stage. It's FREE and begins at 7:30. Knowing Laura, the conversation will be spirited, enjoyable and insightful as she talks with four local-based writers. Laura, since leaving "The Exchange" has found herself, among other things, writing a book, which will hopefully be out within a year. The title is "Hide and Go Seek".

Margaret Porter, one of the guests Wednesday evening has achieved tremendous success in various genre of writing. Her most recent best-selling title is "The Limits of Limelight" and she is presently editing her next book, due out later this year.

Virginia Macgregor who also writes under the name, Nina Monroe, had a runaway hit in 2021 called, "The Children's Secret", and it may possibly make it to Hollywood.

Mark Okrant's Kary Turnell mysteries, usually set in New England, have been highly popular for a number of years. He'll discuss what inspires this ongoing series.

For me, holding this event at the Bank of NH Stage is like coming home. I worked in the building for 27 years when it was the Concord Theatre, and my last book told its story. My next title comes out in June.

The group that are the focal point of Wednesday's program represent only a small portion of the local talent. I am hopeful of this being but the first in a series that will spotlight the amazing people whose goal, when they sit down and begin pecking away, is to take their reader on a wonderful journey that they have created. A fellow writer, who also attended Brady, Donna Marie Robie, subscribes to that very same notion and has always encouraged others to "give it a try".

Audience members will be encouraged to ask questions of the authors and the host. Who knows, someone sitting in the crowd might be wondering whether they could tell a story that would make it into print. Perhaps attending this great evening will provide the impetus or serve as your muse. You've nothing to lose, since it's a FREE event, and everything to gain.