Eleni Kyriacou, writer of 'She Came to Stay' - Debut author talks about planning and plotting, changing the main character, and overwriting.

Eleni Kyriacou is a journalist and editor, and has worked on stories for national newspapers and magazines. Her debut novel 'She Came to Stay' tells the story of Dina who leaves Cyprus for London in search of a better life. They're taken around by Bebba, a strange character with a secret past, and is absorbed by grimy 1950's Soho. It's a murder-mystery with an edge.


She was selected as part of the 'Future Bookshelf' open submissions programme which helps find unpublished authors from under-represented backgrounds.


We talk about why her main character changed half-way through, and what she aims to do each time she finishes a chapter. We hear how much she knows about her story, what she wants to do the next day, and why index cards are an important part of that. Also, we talk about how she plans a day, a week and even a years worth of writing.


Also, I mention Hannah Vincent's new book 'She-Clown and Other Stories', and why it's publication has been affected by the current crisis. She's made a fantastic video about her writing process, check it out here - https://twitter.com/hannahvincent22?lang=en


If you can, please do support the show at patreon.com/writersroutine.


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