This week my guest is Lori Gold, author of the just-released “Kiss, Marry, Kill” about three women who play a spin on the classic sleepover game and wake up the next day in an alternate universe, and last year’s winning breakthrough, “Romantic Friction” – a comedic look at a rivalry between two writers seasoned with a dash of AI that was an NPR Book of the Day.
Her other books, published under the name Lori Goldstein, include the adult historical novel, “Love, Theodosia”, a Romeo & Juliet for Hamilton fans, and four novels for young adults: “Sources Say,” “Screen Queens,” and the “Becoming Jinn” series.
Lori is also a creative writing instructor and founder of Think Write, which holds creative writing classes and writing retreats.
We covered:
- Making the leap to fiction from journalism
- The first manuscript she ever wrote that was 800 pages long
- The writing class that changed everything
- How the right encouragement at the right time–plus stubbornness–can fuel you
- The importance of having a cheerleader
- Why her husband was the only person who knew she was trying to write a book
- Her belief that no writing is wasted–even the complete manuscripts that don’t get picked up by a publisher
- Protecting your writing time amidst the side hustles
- Realizing when you need to get back to a more writing-centric routine
- The different tools she uses for different parts of the writing process
Connect with Lori on Instagram @lorigoldsteinbooks or at her website, lorigoldsteinbooks.com.
For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.
Thank you for listening!

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