Pace to Me is Vital: An Interview with Meredith Vivian

We adore thrillers at Pegasus Publishers and were so impressed with Meredith Vivian’s debut Running Hard, released back in 2019. Now, five years later, Meredith’s follow-up (but not continuation) novel Gorgeous and Adorable is drawing us to the edge of our seats once more.

We spoke with Meredith about his changes in writing between titles, his love of the thriller genre and the importance of setting his book in the 1970s…

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After the release of Running Hard in 2019, how did you approach the writing of Gorgeous and Adorable differently?

The main difference was confidence. Having written a book, and not just a story, I now knew I could trust the ‘creative process’. As with Running Hard, I didn’t worry about where the book would take me – I was confident that it would all tumble out of my head. Having time and place already set, and some characters already established, I had the head start I needed. However, as soon as I started writing, new people, and their lives, soon emerged and I was thrilled to meet them and share in their stories.

What lessons did you take to this second title?

Rather than dashing off the story, as I had with Running Hard, I reviewed progress as I went along – checking for cliché, duplication, hyperbole, character authenticity. I certainly didn’t get this process right, but I now know it’s a discipline that makes the final product much sharper and delivers greater punch.

Also, finding people who can offer an objective assessment of my writing is an absolute ‘must’. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when people tell me they like, or even enjoy my writing, but hearing what works and what doesn’t, what needs to be cut out and what might be developed, are much more valuable areas of feedback.

This is a ‘high-speed thriller’ with an intricate and engaging narrative. What was your leading inspiration and influence in crafting this story?

Gorgeous and Adorable is the type of book I like to read. I want characters with whom I can relate and who I care about. I want them to have excitement and adventure. I like them to face difficult situations and use their personal qualities to overcome them. I like to read about how relationships build and flourish. Having a sense of jeopardy is also key – will everything be all right or …! My life is full of different people, places, events, conflicting priorities – I want my books to reflect real life. Pace to me is vital. As soon as the action in a book is held up by description, I begin to lose interest – my preference is always to ‘cut to the chase’!

Gorgeous and Adorable is set in 1976. What is the significance of this date for you and when did you decide to set your book then?

The 1970s were my formative time, when I was a teenager – when life seemed full of promise and possibility. However, it was also the time when my sight began to deteriorate. Thus, Gorgeous and Adorable is a book full of hopes and fears, highs and lows, rather like my own life back then.

Also, and I think this is key to the vivid nature of what happens in the book, it is when I could last really see the world in all its colour and energy.

Keeping a reader engaged and, perhaps, on the edge of their seat in an age where people have a never-ending pile of books, TV shows and films to entertain them, why do you think readers should choose to stay with Gorgeous and Adorable?

There are some utterly lovable people with whom we can build relationships. They must contend with some absolute stinkers. There are 135 chapters, with delight, shock, revelation, jeopardy, humour, dread, panic, action, relief, they’re all in Gorgeous and Adorable. It’s easy to pick up and hard to put down! I hope readers will agree with me.

After two books with Pegasus Publishers, is there a third one that you’re hoping to write? Or is something already in the works?

Thank you for asking. Yes, the third is underway. This time we are transported to a live, LWT talent show of the 1970s. Needless to say, there are more delightful characters, some of whom are already known, as well as some whose motives aren’t squeaky clean! I am really looking forward to discovering the full range of emotions that await me as the author, and I hope the readers too.

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Gorgeous and Adorable is available in paperback now.