Thanks for having me Emma, always lovely! I'm not usually on here, but if anyone needs me you can find me on Insta or my website :) #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

That hour has just whizzed by! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful guest as always @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social, you're more than welcome anytime on #ukteenchat hope you'll be back for the next book and continue the tradition 😊

10. Just keep drafting. I used to go back over the start to make it 'perfect' and realised it just slowed me down. Now if I want to make a change to something I've written, I make a note in the text and carry on writing as if I've already done it. Means less work later! #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

10, Do you have any writing advice or tips you’d like to share? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

9. Just that I'm currently editing it and it's a little different (but not too much - there's still a mystery, a lot of gore and a bit of kissing) Feel like I'm going back to my roots with this one and can't wait for you to see the cover and meet the characters! #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

9, Can you tell us anything about what you’re currently working on? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

8. It's usually marination/draft/refine. The marination process is all my weird ideas making links , drafting usually takes a few months and I refine over 3-4 edits. My next book just appeared in my brain though, and I wrote it in less than 12 weeks, so editing is taking a little longer! #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

8, What sort of process do you go through from initial idea to finished draft? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

7. I think the ongoing debate on whether we should enjoy good art by bad people. I’m not sure I know the answer, but I'm always curious to know what people think. #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

7, What sort of message would you like readers to think about or take from Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

6. Taste by Sabrina Carpenter, That’s So True by Gracie Abrams, Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me by Taylor Swift, Bad Idea Right? By Olivia Rodrigo, My Kink is Karma by Chappell Roan and Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish. All for nefarious reasons! #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

6, What songs would you include on a soundtrack for Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

5. Definitely! If you look close enough there's always some weird historical artefacts knocking around in my books, I can't help myself. For example, John Dee's scrying mirror makes an appearance in Win Lose Kill Die and Keep Your Friends Close #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

5, Do you think your background in Art History and Archaeology slips into all of your writing in some way? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

4. Yes, I have to! If not I'd just meander around for years rather than write anything remotely legible. Then can change slightly though! #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

4, Do you plan your plot twists before starting a draft? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

3. Yes! I love research and found myself looking up lots of arty terms as well as doing some historical research, because the original portraits in the gallery where Fliss's dad works date from 1911 New York, so I got to delve into some NYC archives! #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

3, Did you need to do much research for Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

2. A few things. The Five by @hallierubenhold.bsky.social inspired the women in the portraits but the catalyst was when I found out that some Victorians ground up mummies and used them in a pigment called Mummy Brown. I thought those paintings must be haunted, and the idea was born! #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

2, Was there anything in particular that inspired Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Welcome one and all to tonight's #ukteenchat, featuring the brilliant @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social. Have your questions at the ready and give us a wave if you’re here 🙋‍♀️ Remember to use the # so your questions don't get missed 😀 #ukteenchat

1. HI! Sorry for the delay...and yes, PMLYDG is all about Fliss, who finds a long-lost portrait. Trouble is, it just *might* be of a serial killer and it *might* be cursed. Then the murders begin... #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

1, Could you tell us a little bit about your new YA, Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls, please? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Thanks so much for having me on #UKTeenchat to talk about #KeepYourFriendsClose @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social I'll try to catch up on messages here for a while but I'm not usually here - you can find me and Loli over on Insta!

Don't compare yourself to anyone else! It's so hard and I still do it sometimes, but comparison really can be the thief of joy. Write what you want, how you want. And finish the bl**dy book! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

10, Do you have any writing advice or tips you’d like to share? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

No! Sorry... I am just finishing some edits and it is coming sooner than planned ... it's very, very weird but has been my favourite part of this year and an absolute joy to write. I can't wait to share it, I just don 't know when that will be! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

9, Can you tell us anything about what you’re currently working on? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

No real rituals, but I have a lovely home office. This year we got a pergola for the garden, so I've spent many happy hours out there! My office is my favourite room though, it's hot pink and full of books, skulls and other weird objects. #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

8, Do you have any writing rituals or a favourite place to write? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Holding a finished book and meeting readers is the BEST. I get very 'in my feelings' during drafting (I never seem to remember how to do it until it's written) and I do like editing, but sending it out into the world is so wonderful, even though it's terrifying too. #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

7, What’s your favourite part of being a writer, is it the initial idea, drafting, revising, seeing early reviews, interacting with readers? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Noooooooooo. Too much regular socialising for me! And I'd probably forget to go and get kicked out anyway. Plus I'm TERRIBLE at keeping secrets. #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

6, Do you think you would like to join a secret society? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

I love Chloe's arrival at Morton for second year. She knows everyone is screwing her over but she just plays along and has quite an unhinged inner monologue. There's a lot of awful people so it was very fun! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

5, Without being too spoilery, is there a scene or moment, or character in Keep Your Friends Close that you particularly enjoyed writing? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Yes. I had to, because there are so many moving parts between this and the subplot in #WinLoseKillDie so I had to be faithful to that AND create a whole new idea. Do not recommend haha! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

4, Did you know from the beginning who the murderer(s) would be, or did the identity shift as you wrote? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Oh, yes. Yale have a 'secret' society called Skull and Bone that I looked into, also Old Josef is a reference to The Society of OddFellows. There's also a lot about class systems in there! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

3, Did you draw on any real boarding/academy schools, or stories of secret clubs/groups? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Yes! Cults - the what/why/how of them. I find it fascinating how anything could be. cult - including the popular clique. Also #WinLoseKill Die had a lot to do with it, as I was exploring a backstory from that book. #UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

2, Was there anything in particular that inspired Keep Your Friends Close? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

It's set at Morton Academy from #WinLoseKillDie but it's 1999. Chloe, our MC, goes back to school and her role of Head Girl (and are boyfriend) are stolen by frenemie Nikhita Patel (aka Dr Patel from WLKD). Chloe quickly realises something murderous is afoot and that she's on the hitlist.#UKTeenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

1, Could you tell us a little bit about your new YA, Keep Your Friends Close, please? @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social #ukteenchat

Hi everyone at #UKTeenchat! Thanks for having me Emma :)

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

Welcome one and all to tonight's #ukteenchat, featuring the fabulous @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social Have your questions at the ready and give us a wave if you’re here 🙋‍♀️ Remember to use the # so your questions don't get missed 😀

The fabulous @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social will be joining me tonight - Tues 16th Sept 8-9pm BST for #ukteenchat. Cynthia will be chatting all about her dark academia YA - Keep Your Friends Close. All welcome to come and join in the chat, held here on BlueSky 🙂 #writerslife #writingcommunity

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 16th Sept 8-9pm BST with the fabulous @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her new #YA - Keep Your Friends Close. All welcome to come and join here on BlueSky 🙂 #KeepYourFriendsClose #writerslife #WritingCommunity

I’ll be here tomorrow night! Get your questions ready 💙 #ukteenchat

Emma Finlayson-Palmer@finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · last yr.

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 16th Sept 8-9pm BST with the fabulous @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her new #YA - Keep Your Friends Close. All welcome to come and join here on BlueSky 🙂 #KeepYourFriendsClose #writerslife #WritingCommunity

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 16th Sept 8-9pm BST with the fabulous @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her new #YA - Keep Your Friends Close. All welcome to come and join here on BlueSky 🙂 #KeepYourFriendsClose #writerslife #WritingCommunity

Hello Bluesky! My new book is out this week and I just wanted to show you how pretty she is 💙 #KeepYourFriendsClose