The Shit No One Tells You About Writing For The Love of Writing
Oct 23, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Hannah Mary McKinnon, a talented novelist known for her thriller *A Killer Motive*, shares her insights on character development and the intricacies of outlining. She reveals her unique method of crafting realistic characters through detailed questionnaires. The discussion touches on the importance of collaboration with agents and editors in shaping narratives, as well as the evolving challenges in the publishing landscape. Hannah also emphasizes the joy of writing amidst the unpredictable nature of the industry.
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Use Deep Questionnaires For Characters
- Build characters with a detailed questionnaire covering trivial and deep facts to make them feel real.
- Revisit the sheet when writing to pull small, authentic details into scenes.
One Living Questionnaire Per Book
- Keep a single evolving questionnaire and add quirky prompts like "what's in their fridge?" to reveal lifestyle and habits.
- Share or adapt questionnaires freely; Hannah offers hers to listeners.
Hidden Backstory Drives Authenticity
- Most invented backstory never appears directly in the book but guides authentic reactions and choices.
- The iceberg of unseen detail informs plot twists and character behavior.
