About The Author
Nancy Savage is lives with her partner of twenty years and is the mother to six children and two cats. Her debut novel, ‘The Couple in Cabin 14‘, was published by Bloodhound Books. The story follows a couple whose romantic getaway turns dark when the wife begins to suspect that the couple in the cabin next door is hiding something.
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What was the initial spark or idea that led you to create the plot for The Couple in Cabin 14? Did it start with the characters, the setting, or a specific scene?
Honestly, it was a combination! It started from this idea I had of a couple meeting their neighbors on vacation and there just being something really, really off about them that only the wife could see. I also wanted there to be a real sense of isolation, but in a beautiful setting! So I kind of started with those elements and then built characters that felt genuine and flawed, which helped me push the story further.
The setting of a secluded lakeside resort adds a layer of isolation and suspense to the story. How did you decide on this particular setting, and how do you think it influences the mood of the novel?
Spring River is kind of an amalgamation of quite a few places, both that I’ve been to and of ones I could only ever dream of visiting! It felt like the perfect backdrop for secrets and tension—it’s beautiful but can feel eerie when you’re alone. Who doesn’t love a good nature getaway… until it turns creepy!
As a debut author, what was the most challenging aspect of writing The Couple in Cabin 14? How did you overcome it?
Honestly, with six kids running around, it was definitely trying to find the time to actually sit down and get the words from my head and onto paper. I quickly learned that I wasn’t going to be able to have any long and focused writing sessions, so I figured out how to adapt to writing in chunks of time here and there when I could.
Without giving too much away, were there any particular scenes or twists in The Couple in Cabin 14 that you found especially challenging or rewarding to write?
Oh, definitely! There’s a twist near the climax that took me a very long time to nail down. There is a section of dialogue that, at a guess, I’d say I reworked about a hundred times before it finally clicked. No exaggeration.
Do you have any writing rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone, especially when crafting suspenseful scenes?
A good cup of tea and a comfortable seat is about all I need. There is no such thing as quiet time in our house, and sometimes I kind of feel like a bit of chaos in the background as I write adds a little something!
What drew you to the thriller genre specifically? Was there a particular book or author that inspired you to write suspenseful stories?
I’ve been a thriller lover for life. I blame R. L. Stine, creator of Goosebumps, for starting my addiction. But generally I just love to spend a whole novel going “what the heck is going on?” and to get that big pay off when you hit a great twist.
Did writing The Couple in Cabin 14 teach you anything about yourself or your writing style that you didn’t know before?
I definitely learned that as much as you can pre-determine how your story will go, you can’t anticipate how your characters will react in a situation until you reach it. They kind of begin to take on a life of their own! But that’s fun, because it takes you on twists and turns that you didn’t expect.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors who are working on their own debut novels?
Embrace the messy process! It’s okay if your first draft is just a wild jumble of thoughts. Just get the words down – you can fix it up later.
Do you have any other books or projects in the works? Can you give us a hint about what we might expect next from you?
Right now I’m working on my next thriller set in a small town. Think secrets, lies, and hidden pasts!
Finally, what do you hope readers take away from The Couple in Cabin 14? Are there any particular emotions or thoughts you want to linger with them after they finish the last page?
I hope they get a good thrill from seeing the story play out through Amber’s eyes, and to take it as little reminder to always question what is presented online as real – because the truth is usually lurking just below the surface.
I am very grateful to Nancy for giving me the opportunity to interview her and read her debut thriller. In the comments, let me know if you’ve read or plan to read Nancy’s debut thriller, The Couple in Cabin 14. The book is available in paperback, audiobook, and on Kindle Unlimited. If you’re curious about my thoughts on the book, you can check out my review [here]. Also, if you’re an author interested in being interviewed for the blog, don’t hesitate to reach out! For more information, visit my contact page. Before you go, don’t forget to hit the follow button!
Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny