Of the three genres in which you write, do you have a favorite? I’m also curious about your mindset when you switch to writing a different genre - so, for example, when you go from writing a cozy bookstore book to a dark one, do you feel different personally, like you’re allowing a certain side of your personality out? Or do you think you’re just really disciplined about your writing to the extent that you’re the same person regardless of what you’re writing?
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Do you have any screenplays in the works? I could see your books making great NetFlix series!
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Do you belong to a writers group, or any other type of group that supports your craft? Does anyone read your first draft/offer advice about the plot?
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Which of your books are being published this year? Can you tell us anything about them?
And can you tell us what you’re working on now?
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I think stories with community at their core need the supporting characters to be a varied bunch, so I start by making them all different ages. I go on to think about gender, race, socioeconomic background, sexuality and neurodiversity, because that’s what a community is to me - a group of people who are all different, all experiencing life in a unique way, alongside each other.
Because I’m a planner, I know what kinds of characters I need to make the story work, so I develop them with that in mind. Visually, I do tend to use people I know. Jude in The Forgotten Book Club is based on my daughter’s friend, Reo. I even got him to pose with the book to put on my Instagram feed!
I do go through life logging people’s aesthetics and character traits and thinking how I could use them in a book. I should write them down because I’m sure my brain is forgetting some gems!
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I feel very fortunate to enjoy writing and reading all my genres. There’s something very satisfying about starting off the week by stoving someone’s head in, though! I wrote a scene with that in on a Monday morning once and it felt like an oddly good way to begin the week.
The uplifting books often make me cry, both with sadness and happiness. I love it when that happens because it gives me hope that readers will experience that too.
I do think I tap into two different sides of my personality when I’m writing the different genres. I’m a naturally cheerful person, and unusually extroverted for a writer, so I use my love of people and warm and cozy vibes for the Kate Storey books.
I’m also naturally anxious, and I think that helps with the thrillers. I can access the tension and suspense easily because I feel it often. I believe it’s a lot easier to write sensations convincingly if you’ve experienced them yourself
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That’s great to hear! Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
A producer has bought the rights to The Woman in Ward 9, and a director is attached to the project, so I’m keeping everything crossed that something comes of that, but the chances are vanishingly low, sadly.
I am writing the pilot of a TV series with a friend of mine this year … because I’m not already busy enough.
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I joined a local writing group when I first began to take my writing seriously. The women there were invaluable. One still reads many of my early drafts before they go to my agent.
I would encourage any aspiring authors to join a writing group. Finding your tribe is one of the very best things about this job.
I’m fortunate to have met many other authors over the years and a few of us go away on writing retreats a couple of times a year. There really is nothing like spending a few days with other likeminded friends. We work, walk, laugh, chat, eat and drink, and it’s heavenly.
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A family drama called The Lies Out Children Tell came out this week. Another Lisa Timoney book, My Husband’s Child, will be along in the summer.
They are full of secrets, lies and drama, and have a central dilemma that will make you question what you would do in that situation.
My next Kate Storey, The Last Page Cafe, comes out in the UK in March. It follows Erin, who’s living in the margins of her life, until a new member joins her book club and shakes things up, in more ways than one. When she’s forced to step out of her comfort zone, she discovers that what she thought was the end of her story, might just be the beginning.
My next Naomi Williams thriller, The Eyewitness, is out in the summer. In that Rachel Cartwright has a terrifying condition. Every 48 hours, her eyes shut tight - and stay that way for two long days. She can’t work, can’t go out. And, worse, when the world goes dark, she’s certain someone is watching her.
I’m just about to start writing my next Kate Storey book, and I can’t wait! It’s going to be a busy year!
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I’m still in awe of how much you get accomplished over the course of the year.
Before we say goodbye, is there anything you’d like to cover that we haven’t already touched on? Anything you’d like to tell the folks following the conversation?
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I’d just like to thank you and all the readers on this platform for their interest and support. Writing is a peculiar job. It’s so private and insular until your work is published, and then it’s out in the world for all to see. In my experience, readers are the most curious, empathetic and interested members of society. I’m always delighted when people engage with my books, so thank you for giving me the opportunity in this wonderful bookish community.
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