Blog tour: The Truth in a Lie

Welcome to the blog tour for The Truth in a Lie by JanTurk Petrie! Thanks to the help of Random Things Tours, today I have the pleasure of sharing with you an interview with the author of this new fiction novel. Ready? Let’s start…

Hi Jan! First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the publication of The Truth in a Lie! Can you please briefly tell us what it is about?

A: ‘The Truth in a Lie’ is about close relationships – the complex and sometimes delicate threads that bind people together or can force them apart. It’s a story of love, loyalty, betrayal and the damage done by untold secrets.

Did you have the plot entirely figured out when you started writing the book or did it take an unexpected turn as the characters grew on the page?

A: Before I started writing, I had the basic plot planned out along with the various themes I wanted to explore. Once I started, the story began to evolve and the characters became more complex. As they grew on the page, the story took a few unexpected turns – which is half the fun of the writing process.

Was The Truth in a Lie your working title? Either way, how did you come to choose it?

A: The Truth in a Lie was my original working title. Although it’s a work of fiction, my protagonist, Charlotte, is a writer who’s been struggling to write a true story but finds establishing a ‘true’ account is fraught with difficulties. In her personal life, untangling truth from lies becomes more complicated the more she uncovers. 

If this novel was going to be turned into a film, who would you cast in the roles of Charlotte and Duncan?

A: A tricky question because I see both characters clearly in my head and they are unlike any specific actors. At a push I’d say see Charlotte as an older version of Mission Impossible actress Rebecca Ferguson and Duncan looks a bit like Simon Baker – ‘The Mentalist’ actor.

Without giving too much away, can you tell us about a scene in the book that you love or that was particularly difficult to write?

A: Emotionally, I found the scenes with Charlotte’s very ill mother in the hospital hard to write. By contrast, I particularly enjoyed writing the flashback of Charlotte and Duncan’s first date.

Is there anything that didn’t make it into the final version of the book?

A: There were quite a few scenes I decided to leave out or I substantially altered once I had finished the first draft and I had a better feel for the arc of the story. At that point I also added several scenes to help the narrative flow.

If you are already working on your next writing project, would you mind giving us a little anticipation of what we are to expect?

A: I have an idea though it’s currently not much more than an outline for my next project. Once again it would be unlike anything I have written so far. Right now I’m still considering the best way to tell the story I have in mind.

What are you reading at the moment?

A: I have just finished Maggie O’Farrell’s latest book ‘Hamnet’, which I thought was an extraordinary feat of storytelling.

Due to the popularity of social networking websites, interacting with readers – be it via Twitter, Facebook Instagram etc. – is becoming increasingly important. How do you cope with these new demands on authors and do you think that they somehow disrupt your writing schedule?

A: I think it’s important and often rewarding to interact with readers and authors on social media and I enjoy doing so. However, once I’m working hard on a book I try to write for 4 - 5 hours uninterrupted most mornings. When I’m working I turn off social media because it’s all too easy to get distracted by something on Twitter or Facebook.

What one piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

A: Try to read widely and often – it will help you learn the craft of writing.

Thank you for your time!