Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard The Hidden Lives of Writers

S08 E02 Deon Meyer

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Deon Meyer is a multi-award-winning and bestselling author whose books regularly smash sales records. His latest book SKORPIO is available in Afrikaans, while SCORPIO RISING will be released by Pan Macmillan on 1 October.

Deon joins Fiona and Gail to talk about his early days of writing as a single father of young children, and how Benny Griesel forced his way out of minor-character status. Is this the most useful writing advice dropped in a single episode? Quite possibly!

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Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' News
  • 03:30 Pitching a Non-Fiction Book to a Publisher
  • 06:10 Books Fiona and Gail Have Been Reading
  • 09:30 Welcome: Deon Meyer
  • 10:00 Writing Furiously: Deadlines and Daily Word Counts
  • 11:30 Starting Slow, Finishing Fast: Meyer's Writing Rhythm
  • 13:30 Plotter or Pantser: The Headlighting Method
  • 16:10 Growing Up in Klerksdorp: Becoming a Reader and Writer
  • 21:15 Challenging Yourself With Every New Book
  • 22:50 The Long Road to Commercial Success
  • 27:10 Why Write in Afrikaans Rather Than English
  • 29:00 Writing for TV and Film: Lessons From Screenwriting
  • 32:00 Setting Books in South Africa for an International Audience
  • 34:20 How Benny Griessel Refused to Stay a Minor Character
  • 39:40 Scorpio Rising: What Readers Can Expect
  • 43:10 How Much of Deon Is in Benny
  • 45:10 Writing Humour Organically: Vaughn Cupido and Dad Jokes
  • 47:30 The Internal Reader: Why Writers Must Read Widely
  • 48:30 The Pressure of International Success and Sustained Self-Doubt
  • 50:50 The Translation Process: Working With Laura Sieghardt
  • 55:10 Advice for Getting Through the Boggy Middle
  • 57:15 What Deon Has Been Reading
  • 59:00 Farewell and Hosts' Reflections
14 Sep English South Africa Books · Arts

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