Meet Danielle M. Wong

1. Last Liar Standing has a plot that seems as if it would have been difficult to keep track of to make sure all the pieces were in the right place as Vonny figured them out. I imagine you with one of those police boards with red string connecting everything. Did you have any tricks for keeping all the people and places in the right order?

I definitely had a lot of information to keep tabs on while writing Last Liar Standing. Crafting the flashback section required a lot of diligence in terms of staying organized!

I usually do deep dives into my characters, so each one had a file teeming with details about personality traits and whereabouts during significant plot points. That process helped a lot when I was sorting everything out. 

2. Some authors like silence as they write, but others like to have music playing. Do you listen to anything, and if so, what do you like to listen to?

Although I love music, I prefer writing in public spaces and keeping my ears open. You never know what you might hear in a coffee shop or busy cafe. Random conversations and interactions often serve as valuable inspiration, informing my work in unexpected ways.

3. I’ve seen that some of your readers have fancast actors for the movie version of Last Liar Standing. Do you have your own dream cast?

I adore the concept of creating dream casts for novels! Gare did a fabulous job selecting actors for Last Liar Standing, and I thought his choices were excellent. I have a cast in mind for the novel I’m currently working on, which helps me visualize each character while I write.

4. Some authors like to use a reward system. Do you like to reward yourself with some kind of treat for a good writing session? Do you grab some chocolate or something else?

I like treating myself to a movie or a good meal after an intense writing session. When the words aren’t flowing, though, I’ll sometimes take a break to clear my head. Changing my environment by going on a walk or run typically does the trick. It gets my blood pumping, shifts my perspective, and allows me to reset.

5. You and I share a love of travel. What are your favorite places to visit? And are there places you wouldn’t necessarily want to visit again?

I have yet to visit a place I wouldn’t return to. Some of my favorite destinations are London, Tokyo, and Paris. Sydney will always hold a special place in my heart since I studied there in college. For me, trying to choose a favorite place is like trying to choose a favorite novel: impossible.