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December 23, 2025 40 mins

In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, I’m joined by Karen E. Osborne to talk about how she builds characters from real life and structures stories across dual timelines.

We discuss Justice for Emerson, how observing people in everyday moments helps her capture physical detail and voice, and the way characters become so real to her that she rarely loses track of who they are. Karen also talks about writing across timelines without losing clarity, and how personal history and lived experience quietly shape the emotional core of a story.

This conversation focuses on character, structure, and the small, human details that make fiction feel alive.

Karen E Osborne's book Justice for Emerson: https://a.co/d/9P7NHXj

Follow Karen E. Osborne online: https://www.kareneosborne.com/

Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors. https://patreon.com/markpjnadon

Today's Sponsor Mark P.J. Nadon's novels including his psychological action tech thriller, The Genesis Project: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers

Authors: Want to be a guest? Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast

Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon: • https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/

Follow on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

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