NPR's Book of the Day Liane Moriarty on her novel 'Here One Moment' and on writing 'women's fiction'
Jul 16, 2025
Liane Moriarty, the renowned Australian author known for her best-selling women's fiction, joins the discussion to delve into her latest novel, 'Here One Moment.' She shares the intriguing premise where a woman on a flight foresees the deaths of fellow passengers, a concept birthed from her reflections on mortality. Moriarty discusses the emotional complexities of writing about loss, challenges the stigma of women's fiction, and hints at potential film adaptations. Her insights reveal the deep connection between personal experiences and storytelling.
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Flight Sparks Novel Idea
- Liane Moriarty was on a delayed flight from Hobart and found herself contemplating mortality.
- She imagined the passengers' deaths, inspiring her novel's premise of a woman predicting their deaths on a flight.
Exploring Mother's Worst Fear
- The book explores a mother's worst fear when her baby is predicted to die young by drowning.
- Moriarty examines how a parent would emotionally respond to such a dreadful prophecy.
Balancing Emotional Writing and Storytelling
- Writing about dark subjects involves both excitement for the story and emotional challenge.
- Moriarty avoids fully immersing herself in characters' tragedies to continue writing.
