About the Author

Trish Finnegan has spent her whole life living on the Wirral, a small peninsula that sticks out into the Irish Sea between North Wales and Liverpool, England.

She has always had an overactive imagination and always enjoyed writing and reading.

She was a police officer and first met her husband, Paul, in the charge office of a police station where they both were serving.

Trish's website is https://trishfinnegan.co.uk and her Amazon page is https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B004W49Y3E.

Lesson Summary

The conversation with Trish Finnegan, a crime writer from the Wirral, Liverpool area, delves into her writing process, the influence of her experiences as a police officer, and her journey in the world of writing.

Key points from the discussion include:

• The importance of reading within the genre one writes in
• Having a passion for the subject matter
• Challenges and learnings from the editing process
• Managing a busy schedule
• Feedback on book covers from publishers
• Role of reviews in the writing journey
• Working on multiple books simultaneously
• Contemplation of ending their writing career
• Using short pieces as reader magnets
• Writing process involving a mix of plotting and spontaneity
• Challenges of balancing detail and pacing
• Importance of character development
• Approach to keeping track of characters in a series
• Insights on marketing
• Family involvement in writing
• Influence of past experiences on their work

Trish's storytelling is deeply influenced by her imagination, her time as a police officer, and everyday moments she encountered. Her creative process often involves reflecting on what-ifs and mundane activities from her experiences on the beat. Trish's background in law enforcement and her knack for crafting fiction from her surroundings shape the narratives she builds.

Trish's writing journey began in childhood with a passion for writing, leading to joining a writers group and finding success after initial rejections. Her works are inspired by various genres beyond crime fiction, and she discusses elements like aging her protagonist and the influence of renowned crime series and their TV adaptations on her writing. Trish also reveals her hopes for future writing projects, showcasing her ongoing dedication to storytelling and creativity.