Writing Podcast Episode 678: Christine Keighery on her thriller ‘We’re Not Us Without You’

With more than 35 books under her belt, Australian author Christine Keighery has written across a range of age groups and genres. In this episode, she shares some insights from that time, along with details about writing her latest adult thriller, We’re Not Us Without You – all about modern day cults.

You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app.  

00:00 Welcome
03:58 Writing tip: ‘Your best friend’s work’
07:58 WIN!: The Bourne Escape by Brian Freeman
10:55 Word of the week: ‘Desideratum’
11:28 The world of words: Riband vs. Ribbon
13:33 Writer in residence: Christine Keighery
15:15 Christine’s fascination with cults
17:17 Getting to know her characters
20:20 Writing four perspectives
22:00 Having great editors
23:40 Religion vs cults
25:20 The ingredients of a good thriller
26:13 Balancing character and plot
27:05 Transitioning from junior fiction to adult fiction
28:27 Writing the Go Girl series
33:02 The importance of character in all writing
36:21 Christine's writing process
40:56 Advice for aspiring writers
45:28 What's next for Christine?
47:04 Final thoughts

Links mentioned in this episode

Writer in residence: Christine Keighery

Christine Keighery (who also writes as Chrissie Perry) is the author of more than 35 novels for children and Young Adults. Christine wrote 13 books in the hugely successful Go Girl! Series. Her YA title, Whisper, won a White Raven and IBBY award and was shortlisted for the CBCA and the WA Premier’s Awards. Her work has been published in 10 countries, including the US, UK, Spain, Brazil, Slovenia, and Korea. Her first novel for adults, The Half Brother won the 2023 Davitt Awards (Debut). We’re Not Us Without You is her second novel. Christine divides her time between coastal Fairhaven and Southbank, Victoria.

Follow Christine on Instagram.

Follow Ultimo Press on Twitter and Instagram.

 

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre and our course Creative Writing Stage 1.

 

Find out more about your host, Valerie Khoo (@valeriekhoo on Twitter and @valeriekhoo on Instagram).

 
 
 
 
 
 
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