"I plot the first 5 or 6 chapters quite minutely, and also the end. So I know where I am going but not how I'm going to get there, which gives characters the chance to develop organically, as happens in real life as you get to know a person"

Joanna Trollope discusses her writing process by explaining how she plans her novels. She maps out the initial chapters in detail, as well as the conclusion, giving her a clear sense of direction and ultimate destination for her story. However, she intentionally leaves the middle undefined, not rigidly plotting every event or character development. By avoiding strict structure for the bulk of the story, she allows flexibility and spontaneity as she writes. This approach means that while she is confident of where her story starts and where it should end up, the journey between those points remains open and dynamic.

This method mirrors the unpredictability and organic nature of real life, particularly in the relationships we form and the way people reveal themselves gradually. In real life, we often begin relationships or new experiences with a sense of how we hope or expect things to turn out. Despite our intentions, the people we meet or the paths we follow often surprise us as we discover more about them and ourselves. Trollope’s process reflects this reality by giving her characters the space to act on their own logic, tendencies, and desires, rather than forcing them into a predetermined narrative.

Such freedom allows characters to grow and change based on situations, interactions, and emotional responses that might arise unexpectedly as the novel progresses. Instead of being mere instruments to serve the plot, the characters develop complexity and authenticity. Readers are more likely to feel invested in these characters because their choices and evolutions feel genuine and relatable. Trollope’s approach aims to balance structure with flexibility, ensuring that her stories have a clear shape while also capturing the unpredictable, evolving nature of real-life relationships, making her fiction both compelling and believable.