Monthly Archives: March 2024

“You have to give yourself the space to write a lot without a destination.”

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Kate Stover

After winning the UK’s most prestigious writing award, this Irish novelist was asked which books had influenced her most. She said she loved Writing Down the Bones because it told her to “just have a go and see what comes … Continue reading →

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“I don’t think you’re dying, ” I said. “I think you’ve just got a touch of cancer.”

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Kate Stover

What’s the hardest book to write successfully? For me, it would be a novel about teenagers who have cancer, fall in love, and then die. The challenges include: creating a page-turner (even though the readers know how it will end), … Continue reading →

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“Show me yourself.”

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Kate Stover

Anna Quindlen says that when Barry Jenkins was filming The Underground Railroad, he directed the actors to “Show me yourselves.” In other words, don’t act. Similarly, Quindlen recommends doing the kind of writing where you don’t posture for an audience. … Continue reading →

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