How I write: For crime writer Kathy Reichs there are three phases to her routine
stuff.co.nz – Wednesday May 12, 2021

Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs has brought her own dramatic work experience to her thrillers. She continues the journey of Temperance Brennan in her latest novel, The Bone Code. Here she shares with The Dominion Post readers some of her thoughts on writing.
What's your writing routine?
My writing process unfolds in three phases. First comes the phase when my mind collects and stashes tidbits. Then I move to the paper phase, making lists, drawing charts, scribbling outlines. I ask myself, what if this, what if that. I consider plot twists, various endings. When all the imagining and weaving and juxtaposing are done, it’s on to the computer phase. Bum to the chair, eyes to the screen, fingers to the keyboard. I like to begin early in the morning, wrap up by mid-afternoon. Then I read or do more research.
To read the full article on stuff.co.nz, click here


Want to learn how to write a crime book? Just ask the experts
How to write a killer crime novel, by Val McDermid (who’s sold 15 million of her own)
Cheating on my crime series to write a romcom on the side
Could you write a crime novel? Candice Fox has some advice for would-be authors
Legendary writer Kurt Vonnegut cleverly explains how to write the 3 stories everyone loves
The Ingredients for a First-Rate (Crime) Novel
What went wrong with the Writer's Market and the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook
How to write a book review
Why is it so hard to sit down and write?
Struggling as an author? Stop writing only what you want to write
4 Actionable Ways to Overcome Writer's Block
How To Write A Book When You Have A Full-Time Job
The 15 Stages of Sitting Down to Write
New Literary Agent Listing: Jenny Lewis
New Publisher Listing: Fidelis Books
UK publishers unite behind major campaign championing print
New Literary Agency Listing: Blueprint Literary
JK Rowling’s agent launches a new chapter for muted writers
Brockhall author calls on local writers to get in touch after launching literary agency
New Publisher Listing: KiN-TXT
Maidstone LitFest 2026: Sian Williams, Helen McGinn, Adele Parks plus children’s authors Onjali Q. Raúf and Harriet Muncaster
Publishing industry lays down AI rules to counter 'click-to-publish' books
Obituary: Edite Kroll
New Literary Agent Listing: Ellen Scott
Quest is a highly designed sci-fi and fantasy magazine built for web fiction
New Publisher Listing: Iron Stream
