The Writing Life

How To Grip Your Readers - with Julia Crouch

Nov 7, 2022

Crime and noir novelist Julia Crouch shares tips on gripping readers through character development, narrative tension, conflict, and twists. She discusses the role of dead bodies, creating intrigue, and sowing seeds of suspense. Julia's expertise in domestic noir shines as she offers technical advice for captivating storytelling.

48:27

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Episode guests

Julia Crouch

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Starting a novel with action and tension is crucial to draw readers in immediately.

Employing structural twists and misdirection can enhance the intrigue in a story.

Deep dives

Starting with Action and Tension

Starting a novel with action and tension is crucial to draw the readers in immediately. By beginning with a significant event, like a phone call about a life-changing situation, the story sets the tone for a gripping narrative. Avoid lengthy setup chapters and aim to engage readers from the onset by creating a sense of urgency or conflict.

Introduction

2min

The Journey of a Multifaceted Creator to Successful Writing

4min

Exploring Writing Passion and Persistence

3min

Crafting Compelling Narratives Through Setting and Character Development

8min

Crafting Gripping Stories with Conflict and Suspense

26min

Exploring Reading Evolution and Writing Techniques

4min

In this episode: How to grip your readers, with crime and noir writer Julia Crouch.

Julia is a crime and noir novelist so she really knows how to grip readers, and this episode has dozens of great tips for writers of all genres.

Julia explains how characters and their development can grip readers; she explains how we can build narrative tension; and how conflict is a key driver of a reader’s attention.

We also discuss the role of dead bodies, how to create and use twists as well as lots of great technical tips on how to sow seeds of intrigue.

Julia Crouch - the queen of domestic noir - has written seven novels, including Cuckoo, The Long Fall, her new novel The Daughters, and Tarnished.

Julia is also the tutor for our Start Writing Crime Fiction course, which starts in January. So, if you want to kickstart your crime novel, why not head to the website to explore the course modules?

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The Writing Life

How To Grip Your Readers - with Julia Crouch

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Starting with Action and Tension

Structural Twists and Misdirection

The Art of Trim and Tension

Critical Role of Conflict and Decision-Making

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts