Suzanne Leal
My guest this month is a woman of so many talents - she’s a writer of novels for both adults and children, she’s a lawyer, a festival board member, a prize judger and one of Australia’s best interviewers. If you have ever been to a writer’s festival, you’ll know Suzanne Leal.
Today we are discussing Suzanne’s latest novel, The Watchful Wife. I couldn’t put this book down - I loved it. I completely agree with Mark Brandi who said that it is “an intriguing page-turner with emotional depth, nuance and moral complexity - a truly gripping read from start to finish.”
And of course, because it's by Suzanne Leal, it is superbly written.
One of the really interesting insights I got from my chat with Suzanne was about balancing external and internal dialogue and how you can create a really vivid scene in the mind of the reader without too much description; just with what the characters are saying and dialogue tags and actions. And Suzanne reads a section of the novel that perfectly demonstrates those concepts, so listen out for that. We also talked about balancing difficult content and serious subject matter with humour. Suzanne talked about the importance of rhythm and pacing in her work, and how she uses her own emotional state at any given time, in her writing, which I don’t think I’ve ever discussed with a writer on the podcast before, so that was terrific.
ABOUT THE WATCHFUL WIFE
Raised by her severe parents in a punitive and authoritarian church, Ellen's narrow world is upended when she meets Gordon, a fellow teacher. Ellen is both transformed and beguiled by the connection, love and laughter he brings into her life.
When Gordon is accused of a shocking crime, Ellen steadfastly refuses to believe Gordon has done anything wrong. Abandoned and reviled by those around her, she will have to fight to protect him.
But what will that cost her? And what will she discover about him along the way?
ABOUT SUZANNE LEAL
Suzanne is the author of novels The Watchful Wife, The Deceptions, The Teacher’s Secret and Border Street. Her debut children’s novel is Running With Ivan, a story of time travel and adventure. A regular presenter at literary, corporate, community and school events, she is the former chair of the fiction and poetry panel for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards and is a board member of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival. From 2017 to 2019, she was the senior judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. A keen traveller, she is a fluent French and German speaker.
A lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal law and refugee law, Suzanne is a senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and former member of the Refugee Review Tribunal. She lives in Sydney with her husband, David, her four children, Alex, Dominic, Xavier and Miranda and their Japanese Spitz, Milly.
Website: https://www.suzanneleal.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannelealauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.author
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbn2ZRHNnXTF4JDuycDeNSQ
You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The Watchful Wife by Suzanne Leal here.
To enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.
This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.
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