In this interview with Amy Tintera, the acclaimed author of Listen for the Lie delves into the intricacies of her writing process and the inspirations behind her debut novel. From the challenges of crafting complex scenes to the influences of her Texas upbringing, Amy shares fascinating insights into the creation of her gripping thriller, as well as the dynamics of small-town life, the nuances of amnesia, and the heartfelt relationship between the protagonist and her spirited grandmother. Read on to uncover the stories behind the story and discover the books that have shaped Amy's writing journey.
What was your favourite scene to write?
The big birthday party scene in the middle of the book, which is probably an odd choice, because it was the hardest to write! I actually skipped that scene when I wrote the first draft because I was intimidated by it. It’s a really important scene, and it’s also very difficult because there are a bunch of characters. Plus, I wanted it to be funny, and funny isn’t always easy! So it was months after the first draft was done before I wrote it, and it was very satisfying to get it right.
Your evocation of the setting and dynamics of a small town in Texas is masterful. Did that come from experience?
I grew up on the outskirts of Austin, so I definitely brought my own Texas background to the story! I created a fictional small town because I had a very specific vibe I wanted for Plumpton, and it was a lot of fun to get to create that from scratch. But it was lightly inspired by Fredericksburg, Texas, a city in the central Texas hill country with many wineries!
How much research did you have to do on the amnesia part of the story? Did you find out anything that surprised/fascinated you in the course of it?
It wasn’t a huge amount of research, since there’s a lot of information out there about head injuries. They’re a pretty common trope in a variety of stories, so luckily I already started from a place of knowing a bit about memory loss. I think the thing I find most interesting about amnesia is that it can be a combination of physical injury and psychological, and it’s hard to know which one it is, even for the person who is experiencing it.
“One of my favourite stories about my grandma was the time she got tipsy in New Orleans and was dancing with a bunch of 20-something guys.”
Everyone who has read Listen for the Lie at Transworld has fallen in love with her grandma! What was the inspiration for the gorgeous relationship between her and Lucy?
That’s so lovely to hear! My inspiration for the grandma character was really the older women in my own life. One of my favourite stories about my grandma (who we called Grammer) was the time she got tipsy in New Orleans and was dancing with a bunch of 20-something guys, having the best time. She was in her 60s then, and everyone thought she was so cool. Older women are sometimes portrayed as very one note – they’re kindly grandmas making cookies, or they’re very passive in the story – and I wanted to write a grandma who was very active and sort of explained how Lucy became who she is.
Are there any books that have particularly influenced you as a writer?
So many! Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is the book that got me into thrillers. Liane Moriarty, especially with Big Little Lies, helped me figure out how to combine humour and friendship with a mystery plot. So those two are a couple of big ones!
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is out now. Author photo credited to Stephanie Girard.
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