The Twin, the upcoming psychological thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Cellar, is coming out next March and we are so excited to have a new book from YA thriller royalty, Natasha Preston.
In this Q&A, Natasha Preston tells us a little bit about her writing process, her inspiration, and her upcoming novel.
1. What is your writing process like?
Oh, I have the messiest writing process ever. I wish I was one of those super-organized authors who starts and the beginning and finishes at the end. I always have every intention of starting at chapter one, but I usually start around chapter three. Then I usually write the end and go back to somewhere toward the late middle and write all of the fun, ruin-everything parts. I fill in the rest based entirely on what I feel like writing at the time. This is not the way, guys! It means my characters end up having the same conversations about seven times in the first draft and editing is harder. (Sorry to my editor, Wendy!)
2. Do you have any writing quirks?
I need background noise, but it can’t be music. I’ll write lyrics if I have music. So I usually have Criminal Minds on in the background. Or those really low-budget horror or thriller movies, the ones that get one or two stars on Netflix. Those are where it’s at!
3. You are basically YA thriller royalty. How do you plot out your thrillers? Do you start each story already having the twist in mind?
Since Harry is married now, I’ll take YA thriller royalty! I kind of have a good idea of all the twists and will scribble the entire plot on a notebook, but there have been many twists that I didn’t see coming. The Twin is no exception.
4. You have also published several romance novels. Do you prefer writing thrillers or romances? Why? Is there another genre you’re interested in exploring?
I love both! After a good, creepy thriller, I enjoy something a bit lighter. Not that all of my romances are particularly light! But as soon as I’ve finished giving a couple a happy ending (or not), I’m more than ready to (fictionally!) kidnap, stalk, and kill. I would quite like to write slightly older thrillers and see how characters in their early twenties would react to all the fun stuff I put them through.
5. What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Write for you! Write what you want and as often as you can. Don’t be disheartened if someone doesn’t like what you’ve written—we can’t all like the same thing.
6. Do you have any siblings?
I have two brothers and a sister. No twin, thankfully!
7. How would you describe The Twin in three words?
Rather than describing it, can I just insert an evil laugh and wait for people to read it?
8. Do you have a favorite thriller book or movie? If so, what is it and why?
Oh, I definitely couldn’t pick just one. As I said before, I really love binging on low-budget thrillers. I will pretty much read or watch anything (no clowns, though!), and as long as people on screen or paper are getting scared, I’m happy. I promise I’m normal!
9. What are you reading right now?
Nothing right now, but I just finished reading What Happened That Night by Deanna Cameron. I think I’m going to reread Doctor Sleep by Stephen King next because I just saw a trailer for the movie.
10. What is the one thing you want readers to know about The Twin before it comes out?
That I am so grateful to them for continuing to read my books so I can continue to write them. And also that I’m only half sorry, LOL!
About the book:
After their parents divorced, 10-year-old twins Emmy and Iris were split up—Emmy lived with Dad, Iris with Mom. Now, after a tragic accident takes their mom’s life, the twins are reunited and Iris moves in with Emmy and their dad. Devastated over Mom’s death, Iris spends the first few weeks in almost total silence—the only person she will speak to is Emmy. Iris feels her life is over and she doesn’t know what to do. Emmy promises her twin that she can share her life now. After all, they’re sisters. Twins.
It’s a promise that Iris takes seriously. And before long, Emmy’s friends, her life at school, and her boyfriend, Tyler, fall under Iris’s spell. Slowly, Emmy realizes she’s being pushed out of her own life. But she’s just being paranoid, right? And Mom’s accident was… just an accident. Right? It’s not like she—or Dad—or Tyler—are in any danger… .
