What Lies Beneath: Cults, Family Ties and Psychological Thrillers with Clémence Michallon (E157)
In today’s episode, I am chatting with Clémence Michallon. Clémence is an author and a journalist. Her debut thriller The Quiet Tenant was published in June 2023 and is an international bestseller. Blumhouse TV has acquired the adaptation rights. Her next thriller, Our Last Resort, came out yesterday. She was a staff writer at The Independent for five years, and is now a freelance journalist.
Clémence was such a delight to interview. She talks about including a bit of herself in her characters including studying Latin and Roman civilizations and how it shows up in her novels. She chatted about how marathon running and writing went hand in hand, by teaching her patience.
Episode Highlights:
The spark behind Our Last Resort and what she learned while writing it.
How studying Latin and Roman civilizations shows up in her character development.
Why a touch of naïveté is necessary to begin any creative work.
The surprising connection between marathon running and writing—and how it taught her patience.
How giving a character a trait she shares opens a door into their psyche.
Why patience is the most underrated but essential tool in a writer’s life.
A behind-the-scenes peek at the upcoming adaptation of The Quiet Tenant.
Connect with Clémence Michallon:
Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
The Fever by Megan Abbott
Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson
Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
Book Flight
The Girls by Emma Cline
Talking to the Dead by Helen Dunmore
My Brother by Karin Smirnoff
Dessert Pairing
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
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