All about the psychological thriller The Voices

Who is Natalie Chandler?

Natalie Chandler is the internationally bestselling author of two psychological thriller ebooks, Believe Me Not and What We Did. The Voices is her hardback debut. She was educated at St Chad’s College, Durham and has a professional background in behavioural education. She lives with her husband and a collection of cockapoos in North England.

What is The Voices about?

I heard you. I know what you did.

For three years, criminal psychiatrist Tamsin Shaw has been lying unresponsive in hospital.

But while she may not be able to open her eyes, she is awake, and listening to her visitors:

• The husband
• The best friend
• The ex-boyfriend
• The former patient
• The nurse

All of them are hiding something.

One of them will kill for it.

Can Tamsin wake up before it’s too late?

Interview

What inspired The Voices?

 I read The Silent Patient when it first came out (and many more times since) and it haunted me in the best way. I was fascinated about how people can communicate with each other non-verbally and the secrets that can be concealed with silence.

What drew you to writing?

I’ve always written, ever since I was a young child. It was a compulsion, a need to put the words in my head onto a page to release them from bouncing around my brain! My mum is a voracious reader and she passed that love onto me. We still share books but she’s very proud I now have my own!

How did you choose which character to centre the story around?

Tamsin came me to in a dream, as my best ideas always do. I could see her in her vegetative state, lying helpless in bed, but  she could feel sensations and emotions, and there was an enormous tension in her voice. She just didn’t have any way of showing it. I could sense her anguish and I needed to know what had happened to her, so I was started writing.

What was your process for writing your book?

I’m a pure pantser so there wasn’t much of a plot, just a vague idea and a strong, fully developed character. I always start by building the other characters and establishing their links to each other, their motivations and their issues. Then I start writing scenes as they pop into my head, usually by sounding them out while I’m cooking or walking the dogs, before I put them on paper. Generally, the journey tends to reveal itself as I go though it’s sometimes frustrating not necessarily knowing what will happen next or what the ultimate outcome will be, but I trust the process now and now there will be several lightbulb moments, out of nowhere, when I suddenly realise what needs to happen.

What is your approach to world and character-building?

Fortunately I don’t have to build worlds but characters are my favourite part of writing and they tend to happen very organically. I hear their voices first, then build their image around that, though names are often a sticking point and change several times through a first draft.

Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?

The last chapter still gives me goosebumps every time I read it and, honestly, I’m so proud of those final words. It felt like a culmination of so much hard work and I hope readers will love that final twist as much as I do.

Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why?

Tamsin is very headstrong and determined, like me, and I adore her but I’m probably most like Lucia – enjoys a party, speaks her mind and lives life with her glass half-full rather than half-empty.

Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?

I always said when I signed for my debut, I wanted this to be about the books, not me. I get paid to do what I love most in the world and that gives me a huge amount of satisfaction. It’s a wonderful feeling to have achieved my ultimate ambition and I’m grateful for every moment of the journey.

Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?

Louise Candlish and Sarah Pinborough were the authors who inspired me to write thrillers. I loved their styles and their twisty, character-driven plots. I also love Nicci French and JP Delaney for their ability to challenge their readers and push them out of their comfort zones. This genre has so many fantastic authors who continually drive me on to become as good as them.

What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book, and what advice were you given?

The best advice I received was from a very experienced agent I had a 1:1 with, and she told me about the opening page and how it has only seconds to draw the reader in. It made me completely rethink the way I wrote those first few lines. In general, my tip would be to treat writing as a learning experience. You have to continually develop your voice and your skills. Take every opportunity to attend all the online publishing events that have stemmed from the pandemic. I’d never realised how much I didn’t know until I started signing up for things like Jericho Writers and CBC.

What’s your favourite writing snack or drink?

I’m rarely without a coffee during the writing day and I tend to reward myself with a glass of wine (or two) if I’ve smashed my word count. I don’t bother with snacks or I’d never stop grazing. Though I never say no to cheese.

Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favourite music?

Music isn’t a huge part of my life. I only tend to have it on in the car, on the Tube or while travelling. I’d just tune it out completely while I’m writing so it would be pointless to play it really. I’m not someone who focuses well on audio, I need something visual to concentrate on. My background sound tends to be barking cockapoos.

Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?

Definitely my mum. She lives every moment of this career with me and it never fails to make me smile when she celebrates the little wins like they’re all a huge event. My dad isn’t much of a reader but he loves hearing the news from the publishing world. My husband is brilliant at suggesting plot ideas when I’m struggling and I’m very lucky to have a fantastic group of friends who never complain when I bring my laptop to the pub. 

The Voices is expected to be released 13 February 2025