Rae Cairns talks about the writing process for her novel Dying To Know, a crime thriller.

We discussed so many writing craft aspects including:

- why she starts with theme, rather than plot or character

- the research process

- the power of a prologue done well

- conventions of the crime thriller genre and how to meet readers’ expectations

- how a crime thriller should start

- how to write page-turning chapter endings

- an editing method that ensures a balance of tension and pacing

- Rae took us through the opening of her novel and showed us, step-by-step, how she balanced the tension and pacing which was so helpful.

You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Dying To Know here.

ABOUT RAE CAIRNS

Rae Cairns writes crime with heart: thrillers featuring everyday people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her debut novel The Good Mother was shortlisted for Best Debut Crime Fiction in the 2021 Ned Kelly Awards and longlisted for the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards. It draws on her background as a youth worker in Northern Ireland during the final years of 'The Troubles'.

Dying to Know, Rae’s second novel, is a standalone Sydney based thriller and centres around a woman’s determination to uncover what happened to her missing sister.

Rae has also co-managed a crisis refuge for street children, worked as Program Director for the Sydney Olympic Youth Camp and holds a degree in Performing Arts.

Website: https://www.raecairns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raecairnswrites/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raecairnsauthor/

To enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.

Order A Woman’s Work by Victoria Purman here.

Order Dying to Know by Rae Cairns here.

This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.

Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com