In this episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle sits down with chart-topping author Lisa Jewell to talk about the twists and turns of storytelling - both on and off the page. From an out-of-work secretary in her 20s to the queen of psychological thrillers, Lisa shares how she found her voice, leaned into her dark side, and built a literary career that’s captured the world’s attention. Lisa reflects on how personal experiences, including a coercive past relationship, inspires her most complex characters. She also dishes on the...
In this episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle sits down with chart-topping author Lisa Jewell to talk about the twists and turns of storytelling - both on and off the page. From an out-of-work secretary in her 20s to the queen of psychological thrillers, Lisa shares how she found her voice, leaned into her dark side, and built a literary career that’s captured the world’s attention. Lisa reflects on how personal experiences, including a coercive past relationship, inspires her most complex characters. She also dishes on the exciting Netflix adaptation of her work, her bold pivot from rom-coms to thrillers, and the creative process behind her chilling new novel Don't Let Him In. Whether you're a budding writer, a thriller junkie, or just love a good story about reinvention, this is an episode not to miss.
Key Insights:
🎙️ From Redundancy to Bestseller List
Lisa reveals how being out of work at 27 combined with a nudge from a friend led her to write her first novel and completely reinvent her life.
🎙️ Rom-Coms to Darkness
Once known for her light-hearted fiction, Lisa explains how and why she transitioned to psychological thrillers - and why exploring the dark side keeps her inspired.
🎙️ Coercive Control in Fiction
Lisa opens up about how personal experiences shaped her latest characters, especially the manipulative, controlling figures that dominate her most gripping books.
🎙️ Lights, Camera, Adaptation
Netflix has come calling. Lisa talks about the surreal experience of having her stories adapted for the screen and the reality of letting go of creative control.
🎙️ Confidence, Creativity & Constant Motion
Even 20+ novels in, Lisa shares how she keeps the ideas flowing and how confidence in her storytelling continues to grow with every book.
Resources:
📘 Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell – Buy the Book
📸 Lisa on Instagram: @lisajewelluk
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🎧 This episode was produced and edited by Emma Tindall.
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Lisa Jewell, psychological thriller, writing journey, women in literature, character development, coercive control, dark fiction, Don't Let Him In, book adaptation, Netflix thriller, midlife reinvention, self-belief, female authors, storytelling, confidence
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