Listen:
As debut author Carinn Jade says, we have circled around each other for over a decade (definitely since my daughter was born). We met at a book event years ago, and both were part of the early blogging community. I was so delighted to learn that her debut thriller, The Astrology House focuses on two of my pet passions: astrology and Tarot. This book is such a fun read, with twists and turns and surprises all through the book, and Carinn uses some very clever structural devices that she dishes about in our chat, plus we cover so much more.
In this episode:
- The origin of this thriller based around an astrology-themed retreat
- Books Carinn read that informed her idea of the book’s structure and premise
- Carinn’s process of writing multiple POVS in short chapters
- How she dropped clues to characters throughout the book
- Her use of time constraints as a plot device to build dramatic tension
- Why she included astrology cheat sheets as a plot device and touchstone
- How her literary go-to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and other realityTV was one of many touchstones and guided her in writing dramatic scenes
- How much of Carinn is in her novel
- The art of writing authentic dialogue
- The process of revision and what that required
- Building tension and twists into each page
- Carinn’s querying journey and how she found her agent
- The synchronicities between being a lawyer and a writer
Watch on YouTube
About Carinn
Carinn Jade is a lawyer, writer, and cohost of the Pop Fiction Women podcast. Her essays have been published in the New York Times, Daily Worth, and Motherwell. She has attended the GrubStreet Novel Generator, Yale Writers’ Conference, and the Northern California Writers’ Retreat. Carinn grew up on the North Fork of Long Island and lives with her family in New York City. The Astrology House is her first novel.
Photo credit: Erin Schiffman
Connect with Carinn
Buy Her Book on Estelle’s Bookshop
Other Episodes Featuring Novelists
#96 with Jessica Strawser
#106 with Ruth Bonapace
#95 with Ann Hood
#89 with Amanda Churchill
#47 with William Dameron
#32 with Vanessa Hua
Connect with Estelle
Get My Book: Writing That Gets Noticed, named a Best Book for Writers by Poets & Writers Magazine
Sign up for my Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests. Check out my post on the Editor of The Cut. And my latest called Let’s Tally Those Tantalizing Titles, where I give paid subscribers an opportunity to for me to work with them on a title.
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In other news, I was a part of the amazing series “Where I’m From” helmed by the fabulous Alyson Shelton. Check out my episode below on YouTube, and here are the rest of the series, with so many writers I love and admire.
Watch Estelle read her poem Where I’m From
And finally, thank you to the brilliant writer, author, TEDx speaker Beth Ann Fennelly, my guest on my groundbreaking episode #100 for giving me the most lovely shout-out as a writer and writing teacher in her Substack The BethAnnigan (clever name, right?). My substack again, is what else, Writing That Gets Noticed.
And, Beth Ann also gives a shout-out to the substack of my dear friend, Abby Thomas (episode #83), who I just did a closing keynote fireside chat with for the ASJA conference. What a way to end the week! I hope you have a great one. And thank you to all the listeners and viewers of the podcast, and everyone who has bought my book, and signed up for my Substack. You are helping to spread the word about the craft and value of writing, editing and publishing.
