I AM KARIN SLAUGHTER, A THRILLER WRITER, CAT LOVER, AND NAP INFLUENCER. ASK ME ANYTHING.

[u/karinslaughter]

My new book, AFTER THAT NIGHT, is a #1 international bestseller and comes out in the U.S. on August 22nd. AFTER THAT NIGHT is my 23rd published novel. My book, PIECES OF HER, was adapted into a limited series starring Toni Collette for Netflix. And my WILL TRENT series is now on ABC and streaming on Hulu (or Disney+ internationally). You can also find me online at:

Website: https://www.karinslaughter.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorKarinSlaughter

Instagram: Instagram.com/karinslaughterauthor

Twitter: twitter.com/SlaughterKarin Buy: https://smarturl.it/AfterThatNight

[u/happykitty3]

Hi Karin I love your books! I love how you write twisted, complicated and interesting women and complex female relationships (especially sisters)! I have to ask is this inspired by any of your own relationships? What is your personal favourite book you’ve written?

Also I love your writing but you have made me so much more choosey when it comes to picking an amazing thriller as I crave that depth to my characters. What books or authors do you enjoy along that same vein? (I also really like Gillian Flynn and Lisa Jewell!)

[u/karinslaughter → u/happykitty3]

Thank you! I have two sisters, I am the youngest (and the smartest, prettiest, and most favored by my dad) so I definitely use aspects from my real life when I'm writing about sisters. My current favorite is AFTER THAT NIGHT but I always like my most recentbook the best, until I write the next one. There are many authors I really like. Lisa Unger, Alafair Burke, and Lee Child are always on my automatic buy list. Recently I've been enjoying Jean Kwok an Jennifer Hillier. I just started listening to THE GIFT by Sebastian Fitzek who is a popular writer in Germany. I agree, Lisa Jewell and Gillian Flynn are terrific!

[u/McCafeSprite]

Who was your favorite character to write? Who was the hardest?

[u/karinslaughter → u/McCafeSprite]

I really liked writing Andrea in both PIECES OF HER and GIRL, FORGOTTEN because she goes through such major emotional growth spurts. And building the romance between her and Mike was really fun. I also really enjoyed writing Callie in FALSE WITNESS. She is such a flawed but really tender character. I can't say that any one character was/is difficult to write. It can be tough to find new ways to talk about Will and Sara because they both have been in a lot of books and have really distinctive characteristics. But I like to find ways to push them in new directions.

[u/fourbraincells → u/karinslaughter]

Callie in False Witness was one of the best characters I have ever read! Brought me to tears!

[u/Downtown_Phase_3052]

When story ideas pop in your head, how do you decide if they belong in a story or another? I’m trying to write my first book and i feel like i have good ideas for characters, plot lines, conflicts, but often i feel like the story would sprawl too much, or maybe a good side plot line could actually be its own book. How do you decide what stays and what goes?

[u/McCafeSprite]

what was it like watching will trent on tv? and pieces of her? seeing your work out there in a new medium for people to enjoy?

[u/XBreaksYFocusGroup]

Hi Karin. Thank you for doing this AMA! No questions; just wanted to express my appreciation for all the lovely works and I am glad to see you have received so many options and adaptations. Hoping for all your continued success!

[u/karinslaughter → u/XBreaksYFocusGroup]

AHHHH Thank you so much, this made my day :)

[u/[deleted]]

[u/High_cool_teacher]

Hi Karin! I’m a huge fan of your writing. I especially love your unmatched use of flashbacks and parallel timelines (generally something that annoys me because it’s hard to do well). Is there any storytelling device that you find challenging? How do you keep challenging yourself to be a better storyteller? Is there a technique you’d like to try but haven’t?

[u/karinslaughter → u/High_cool_teacher]

Thank you!! That is such a great compliment and I really appreciate it. I do put a lot of effort into striking the right balance when I'm working on flashbacks. I like showing how the past influences the present for my characters. And I do try to make each book better than the last (which is probably why I always favor my most recent book). I can't think of any techniques I'd like to try but haven't yet. Is there a technique you'd like to see me attempt?

[u/High_cool_teacher → u/karinslaughter]

I’d love a villain-narrator. You write violent mind so well.

[u/McCafeSprite]

Do you ever get squeamish writing some of the scarier sides of your novels?

[u/origamicyclone]

Hi Karin!! I really hope you see this because I'm a huge fan! Do you have a favorite book you've written?

[u/McCafeSprite]

How do you get your inspiration? When do you know something is a solid new story idea and get started?