As I finished writing Resilience I felt like it was the best book I have written so far. I have probably felt that way with each new book in the series. I suppose it's natural to improve the more you do something. But with Resilience I was particularly pleased with the way I have dug deeper into the characters.

My approach is to try and inhabit those characters, to put myself in their shoes and to imagine how they must be thinking and feeling at that particular time. When combined with my sandbox approach to writing the books, it means the conversations, actions and plot evolve in what I hope is a realistic, credible manner.

I know many writers work out the plot in great detail before they start writing. Some even work backwards from the end point. But that's not for me. I start with a known situation/context, a set of characters and some themes I want to explore. I do start with a rough idea of the direction the plot will take but I let the specifics unfold.

I really enjoy this way of writing because it's like taking a journey with the characters you're creating. I find myself experiencing the emotions they are going through in the story and at times I have found myself profoundly moved by what is happening. I take that as a good sign, although a psychoanalyst may have other views on that ;)