S1: E4 T.M. Payne's Top Crime Writing Secrets - Bonus Episode

Join us as we dive into T.M. Payne's crime writing secrets. Tina worked in the criminal justice system for eighteen years, fourteen as a police case investigator within the Domestic Violence Unit. Tina now lives on the Wirral with her partner Suzie and spends her days (and nights!) plotting and writing crime novels. Her Detective Sheridan Holler series includes: Long Time Dead; This Ends Now; Play with Fire and Count the Dead. Book 5 will be published in July 2026. At the end of this podcast, Ascent Novel Prize Founder, Hayley King announces an exciting opportunity for all crime and thriller writers, sponsored by Tina and partner, Suzie. Visit Ascent Novel Prize in the new year for more. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to T.M. Payne and Her Journey08:00 Tina's Writing Journey and Early Challenges17:38 Finding an Agent and Building Confidence24:03 The Complexity of Writing a Series24:48 Tina's Journey: From Hardships to Blessings26:08 Writing Process: Overcoming Blocks and Drafting Strategies28:21 The Publishing Timeline: From Draft to Final Edit34:59 Pacing and Structure: Crafting Engaging Narratives42:56 Tying Up Loose Ends: The Art of Satisfying Endings44:52 Advice to Aspiring Writers: Confidence and Persistence46:07 Future Plans: Continuing the Journey with New Books48:21 Supporting New Writers: Paying It ForwardTo find out more about Tina and her Detective Sheridan series, follow her at: (1) InstagramAll of Tina's books are available at independent bookshop Messrs Fletcher and Frost, 51 Mount Pleasant Road, New Brighton. Or you can order them here: Long Time Dead by T. M. Payne | WaterstonesFollow, like and share 'Conversations on Craft', available on Youtube, Spotify and Apple podcasts. For more information on Ascent Novel Prize visit: Ascent Novel Prize | international writing competitionOr follow us on instagram:(1) Instagram