EP366: Beth Miller — The Spine of the Story
Beth Miller is the bestselling author of six novels, one of which took 12 years to write, another just 8 months. Beth tells us why the most important part of the process of her is finding the spine of the story: the thing that moves both her and the reader. We also talk about titles, […]
Continue readingEP365: Samantha King — Enjoy the View
Samantha King returns to the podcast to reveal how her latest novel The Secret Keepers’ Daughter was inspired by a “worry box” and how our darkest and most terrifying fears are found in our own homes and in everyday life. We also discuss the career of an author beyond the debut and how she’s learned […]
Continue readingEP364: Shona Kinsella — We All Help Each Other If We Can
British Fantasy Award nominee Shona Kinsella tells us about her new book Outlander and the real Jacobites, which digs into the real history behind Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Shona’s career has been an extraordinary rollercoaster, and she talks openly about the highs and lows of crowdfunding, flash fiction, writing and editing a novella in 30 […]
Continue readingEP363: Lori Ann Stephens — Ignore the Fear
Have you ever wanted to tell a story, but been too scared to write it? Lori Ann Stephens’ near-future thriller Blue Running covers a whole range of contentious topics, but Lori tells us how she overcame such a fear to tell her story, how she had dealt with the reactions of readers and her own […]
Continue readingEP362: Simon Beckett — All Change
International bestselling author Simon Beckett returns to the podcast to tell us about his new novel The Lost, in which he starts a whole new series. He offers tips on character, tension, and how to develop a great thriller. And the two Marks discuss how theme and endings can help you when you’re stuck, and […]
Continue readingEP361: Daniel Rigby — Just Start Doing It
BAFTA-award winning actor Daniel Rigby tells us about his Audible original debut Isaac Steele and the Forever Man and how his background in comedy and improvisation helped create his protagonist and his extraordinary world. . . . . . In this episode you will discover: Letting ideas marinade (sometimes for years) and why it’s okay […]
Continue readingEP360: A Christmas Special with the Two Marks
Join the Two Marks in a Christmas special where they invited their listeners to share their favourite Christmas books and gifts. They dive into the most-loved books, annuals, games, bikes, cuddly toys, dolls and discover how these gifts have shaped us all as writers. We also resolve the Sindy versus Barbie debate once and for […]
Continue readingEP359: Mia Kuzniar — Make Something Happen
Sunday Times bestselling author Mia Kuzniar brings some light to the bleak midwinter with her wonderful new novel Midnight in Everwood. She discusses how ballet and the Nutcracker Suite influenced her new book and how she moves between adventure stories for children and fairy tales for adults. She also tells us how an 18-month break […]
Continue readingEP357: Ian W Sainsbury — Limitations Make You Creative
Kindle Storyteller Award Winner Ian W Sainsbury returns the podcast to tell us what’s happened since we last spoke, not least how he started a new series and then decided to completely reinvent it by changing the protagonist’s name, series title and the cover designs. Ian also talks about working with dictation software, how his […]
Continue readingEP356: Lisa Hall — A Dagger in my Heart
Bestselling author Lisa Hall tells us about her new novel The Woman in the Woods, which adds a dash of the supernatural to her page-turning thriller style. Lisa talks about setting a book in a real place, starting with the twist, how thinking the worst inspires her, the cruelty of rejection and how to cope […]
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