Megan Abbott

responses that the characters have that I can't anticipate because I don't know them really yet when I start the book.

So I don't bend their character to suit the plot I've worked out.

And then I start to bend the plot a little bit to suit the character.

I love that notion of bending the plot to suit the character.

I predict listeners will be like, hmm, should I add a crime in my novel?

Maybe you should, listeners.

Just saying, maybe you should.

You've heard it from the one and only Megan Abbott.

Okay, how long does it take you?

Because you're describing a process that involves research in terms of what happens in real life so you can draw inspiration.

You're describing a process where you figure out the plot.

You're describing a process where you make sure characters aren't one thing, which is something you said that I loved.

I love that you're thinking about meaty, contradictory characters because human nature is filled with contradictions.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Do you have a secret twin?

Do you have a secret twin working alongside you?

Tell us.

Tell us the true story.

I mean, I benefit from being...

impulsive person who needs to write all the time and needs to have a book going at all times and has like several working ideas you know it and most writers I know in my genre whatever that is crime genre let's just say are the same way like it just but you know it does take a long time and so often you know the projects I abandon or put on pause are ones where I can't stay obsessed with this for a year and a half two years however you know