Maggie O'Farrell

Maggie O’Farrell, the acclaimed author of *Hamnet* and *The Marriage Portrait*, dives into her creative process, sharing the struggles and joys of writing. She discusses the vital urge to create and the importance of allowing characters to guide the narrative. O’Farrell emphasizes that true writing happens in revision and the necessity of accepting honest feedback. Her journey from self-doubt to confidence is inspiring, highlighting the blend of historical fact and imagination in her work, as well as the emotional intricacies of developing strong narratives.

Ruta Sepetys, award-winning writer who uncovers suppressed histories; Stacey Halls, novelist who builds plots with index cards and atmospheric research; Maggie O’Farrell, lyrical storyteller known for inventive, non-linear structures. They discuss turning archival research into living scenes. They explore non-chronological plotting, authentic-sounding dialogue, and treating research as idea-generation rather than homework.

Maggie O'Farrell, a celebrated novelist known for her award-winning work 'Hamnet,' shares insights on transforming Shakespeare's life into captivating fiction. She discusses reframing Shakespeare's character and explores gaps in the historical narrative around his wife, Agnes Hathaway. Dr. Will Tosh offers a scholarly review of the film adaptation, emphasizing its focus on Agnes's grief rather than Shakespeare's legacy. Both guests delve into the emotional landscape, themes of motherhood, and how tragic loss might influence Shakespeare's writing.

Chloé Zhao, Oscar-winning filmmaker known for intimate, presence-driven movies; Maggie O'Farrell, bestselling novelist and co-screenwriter of Hamnet; Ed Norton, actor-filmmaker playing Pete Seeger. They discuss adapting Hamnet into a film, documentary instincts in period drama, dream work and grief in storytelling, and portraying musical and cultural tensions in A Complete Unknown.

Maggie O’Farrell, novelist and screenwriter behind Hamnet and its film adaptation, talks craft and collaboration. She discusses moving from solitary novel writing to co-writing for Chloe Zhao, choosing what to keep or strip for the screen, and how visual storytelling restores lush detail. They explore balancing grief with celebration and how adaptation reshaped her creative practice.