
487: How to Take the (long, elegant) Gloves Off and Write Like You
From #AmWriting by #AmWriting with Jess & KJ
January 16, 2026 · 41 min · Episode 487
About this episode
The episode features an interview with Jenna Blum discussing her new thriller 'Murder Your Darlings' and the writing process.
Anyone who ever listened to Jenna Blum do interviews on the A Mighty Blaze podcast will not be one bit surprised to hear that we had a great time talking all things writing but most specifically writing BIG—which Jenna has absolutely done with her current book, Murder Your Darlings . Murder Your Darlings is a contemporary thriller and a real departure from Jenna’s very popular historical fiction—a departure that’s totally in keeping with Jenna’s own enthusiastic, passionate personality. As her agent said, her earlier work was elegant and restrained (although still powerful) but in this one Jenna lets herself loose. We had a wonderful time talking about it, and I know you’ll have a great time listening. #AmReading The Plot and The Sequel , Jean Hanff Korelitz Last Seen , Christopher Castellani You , Caroline Kepnes Join Jenna on tour—she’s absolutely a joy to listen to on writing and probably any other topic! Dates HERE . And do grab Murder Your Darlings —who doesn’t love a tell-all thriller set in this ridiculous industry we all love so much? Hey—if you’re reading this in January 2026, it’s not too late to join our Blueprint Sprint and get in on a rapid-fire roadmap to writing…
People in this episode
Hosts: Jess, KJ
Guest: Jenna Blum
Topics covered
- writing
- thriller
- interview
- publishing
- contemporary fiction
Keywords
- writing
- thriller
- Jenna Blum
- Murder Your Darlings
- interview
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Murder Your Darlings, The Plot and The Sequel, Last Seen, You
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