October 2005 Artist of the Month

Each month LARAC highlights the work of an Artist from the Adirondack Region.

Award-winning mystery writer and Queensbury resident Anne White didn’t plunge into it book writing the way some novelists do.  White’s story is a bit of a Chapter Three Scenario--one that began after years of raising six children and a career as a high school librarian.  It was while working at Queensbury High School that she began writing in earnest--on the topic of career directions for young people. “It was fascinating,” White recalled.  “I had no idea there was so much material on careers.”  Soon, the librarian found herself writing articles on a regular basis for three different publications.  Eventually, she developed a career education program for the students, which helped them align with career choices they were suited for.

As much as she enjoyed the career writing, it was after retirement that White realized she was finally free to pursue her long-dormant desire of writing mysteries.  White credits workshops offered by The Lake George Arts Project for providing a place to learn the technique and for the encouragement she received from teachers such as Doug Glover and Oscar Hijuelos.  “I really started to explore the idea that I could learn to write a mystery,” said White.  “Matt Witten from Saratoga taught a workshop in mystery writing which was perfect for what I wanted.  Plus he was so incredibly encouraging to me.  Without that, I wouldn’t have had the nerve to finish it and send it in.”