Creating Convincing Characters: A Conversation with Author Melanie Anagnos

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Today I have another mystery writer on the podcast. Her name is Melanie Anagnos, and she is the author of Nightswimming, the first book in the Jamie Palmieri mystery series. Set in the late 1970's in Paterson, New Jersey, it is a "classic police procedural charged with the social turbulence of the 1970s." 

In our conversation we talk about her writing journey, and dig into what makes a compelling character, how a writer can create convincing female characters that avoid all the tropes, and why she chose the 70's as her setting. Of course you know we will also share some of what we're reading, our favorite books, and we even find time to bring up classics like Jane Eyre! 

Find Melanie Anagnos online at: https://melanieanagnos.com/ 

Melanie's substack: https://melanieanagnos.substack.com/ 

Buy Nightswimming: https://www.amazon.com/Nightswimming-Palmieri-Mystery-Melanie-Anagnos/dp/1962931153/  

Books Mentioned: 

Willa Cather 

Lonesome Dove 

Martin Beck Series by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö 

Cormoran Strike Series by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

Jill by Amy Dillwyn 

Louise Penny 

Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 

Julia Spencer-Fleming 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and What We're Reading 

05:00 Writing Journey 

13:51 Creating Convincing Characters 

28:24 Writing Advice 

34:22 My Mystery book recommendations 

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