If you’re a writer looking for some inspiration and advice from someone who has had a LONG and prolific writing career, this week’s episode is for you.
I’ve got my friend Catriona McPherson on the show, and we’re talking about all things writing— process, publishing, the writing journey, and all the pieces in between like creating characters, researching, and most importantly, how to keep the joy alive.
I love this conversation. Catriona is a delight to know as well as to read, and we could have talked for hours. She shares her own journey as the author of 35 mystery novels in multiple genres, how she keeps her productivity high, and also shares her insights into how to stay the course in publishing.
We cover:
- The catalyst for her to finally take her writing seriously
- How to enjoy the writing process and have fun with your stories
- How the COVID lockdown helped her connect with her family’s past to jumpstart her storytelling
- Why the right literary agent is so important
- Her own daily schedule that keeps her writing prolifically
And so much more.
Our talk was so inspiring it made me want to just go start a new story for the pure joy of it. And she has the best Scottish accent – you’ll want to listen all day!
You can find more about Catriona here.
Chapters:
- 03:20 Introduction to Catriona McPherson’s Literary Journey
- 08:46 The Path to Becoming a Writer: Overcoming Doubts
- 18:01 The Role of Research in Fiction Writing
- 19:30 Finding Joy in Storytelling: The Playful Approach
- 31:56 Connecting with Characters: Personal Reflections
- 35:44 On Process
- 43:58 On Publishing
- 52:48 Finding the Right Agent
- 01:01:02 Upcoming Works and Future Plans