Sober Podcast 225 - Behind the Scenes - Explaining Sober Fiction

This is a recording of a phone call with my book editor #1 from the UK (previously with Random House).

We talk about sober fiction, the issue of fragility, the novel 'The Girl on the Train," and the line in my book: "Please don't be nice to me."

The question at about the 24 minute mark, we start to talk about whether character is enough to drive a story. He also criticizes the Train novel (at length).

around the 30 minute mark, we start to talk about specific plot points - which i've removed from this audio :) so that you don't know the story before you read it. but it means the audio might seem like stuff is missing right there (and it is!).

also, in this audio, you hear a less-polished version of me. i'm not using the softy-softy coaching voice. and you can also hear me (directly, explicitly) telling him what I want him to say that will help me to keep going.

which he did.

finished installment #54 today.

Question: when is the last time you told someone what you wanted them to say, and they delivered? how important is that kind of encouragement to you?

huglets, me.me