Hannah Mary McKinnon

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.

Author Hannah Mary McKinnon, pen name Holly Cassidy, discusses writing an opening chapter, tips for balancing dialogue and disposition, setting up stakes for the protagonist, and approach to negative reviews. Hosts critique submissions, discuss including hooks in queries, personifying the antagonist, and polished scene-level pages. They also discuss power dynamics in storytelling, changing genres, and balancing information in the opening chapter. Additionally, they address reader reactions to explicit content and promote upcoming events and websites.