Fresh Air ‘The God of the Woods’ Author Liz Moore
14 snips
Jan 12, 2026 
Liz Moore, a renowned novelist and director of Temple University's MFA program, shares insights into her literary journey and latest work, 'The God of the Woods.' She discusses her unique writing process, describing how writing often feels like labor, but occasionally gives her 'flying' moments. Moore delves into the compelling themes of class and survival at summer camp, and the inspiration behind her characters. She also reflects on adapting 'Long Bright River' for television, demonstrating her creative versatility and commitment to storytelling.
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How Kensington Sparked A Novel
- Liz Moore visited Kensington with a photographer and interviewed residents, which sparked her interest in the neighborhood for fiction.
- Those early nonfiction encounters and later community work informed the setting and characters of Long Bright River.
Writing As Growing A Tree
- Moore describes writing like growing a tree: trunk (known elements) then branches (experiments) that she lops off if unrealistic.
- That process lets her discover characters and solutions organically rather than pre-planning an outline.
Bringing Kensington Into The TV Adaptation
- Moore worked on the Peacock adaptation of Long Bright River as co-creator, co-writer, and executive producer.
- She prioritized involving Kensington community members on set and in small roles to ensure authenticity.
