Behind the Manuscript

Conversations with authors about the craft behind amazing stories

J.J. Cagney
Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers

J.J. Cagney

J.J. Cagney discusses building suspense, balancing physical and psychological tension, using setting as an active source of danger, a main character’s connection with the wildlife around her, and writing multiple genres.

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Kate Golden
Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers

Kate Golden

Kate Golden discusses the shifts and constants in writing across genres, what makes her intimate scenes feel emotionally real, being drawn to writing villains worth commiserating with, and what readers can expect from her upcoming novel, Cursed City.

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Georgia Stone
Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers

Georgia Stone

Georgia Stone discusses turning side characters from The Friendship Fling into fully formed leads in The Roommate Rule, writing intimacy scenes that inform a character's arc, sensing which characters deserve their own book, and what readers can look forward to in her next novel.

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Alexa Padgett
Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers Behind the Manuscript Rita Childers

Alexa Padgett

Alexa Padgett discusses the joy of building long-running series like Wildcatters Hockey, using intimate scenes to deepen emotional connection, writing authentic child characters, and the writing lessons that have shaped how she approaches writing new manuscripts.

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