Behind the Scenes of Big Little Truths: A Guest Post by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty returns to the addictive world of scandal and secrets in her upcoming novel, Big Little Truths. This story picks up a decade after we first met the unforgettable group of mothers in Big Little Lies. Now, they raise their teenage children while grappling with difficult choices from their past.  Read on for an exclusive essay about writing Big Little Truths from Liane Moriarty.

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I first began writing Big Little Lies when my son began kindergarten. Novelists are notorious for mining their lives for material. Naturally I wrote a book set in a primary school. It was my way of processing this ordinary yet extraordinary new world.

After the book came out, I received so many lovely messages from readers all around the world.  I’m still amazed and grateful for the response. It seemed that the experience of becoming a school parent was universal.

And then: the HBO adaptation. I visited my first ever Hollywood film set and had the surreal experience of seeing actors like Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon interpret my characters and make them their own. Many more people than would ever have read my book embraced the world of Big Little Lies. (I like those people, the non-readers, but I will admit to feeling just a little more fondly towards the readers.) 

Right away, people began asking about a sequel. They wanted more of the book. They wanted more of the show. I resisted. I’d never written a sequel to any of my novels and had no desire to write one. But then, as more time passed, I began to wonder about how the women of Big Little Lies would cope with raising teens. It occurred to me that I could make it work with a ten-year time jump. And, so, all these years later, I’ve finally succumbed. Big Little Truths is my first ever sequel. The original book opened on Madeline’s fortieth birthday. This one begins on the morning of her fiftieth birthday party.   

It was a strange sensation re-reading Big Little Lies in preparation to write the sequel, like watching old home videos.  It was fascinating to consider how Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Bonnie and Renata might have changed over the last decade. Returning to these familiar characters and setting felt like meeting up with old friends in my old hometown. I especially enjoyed thinking about their children and the sort of teenagers they would have become. Both my children are now teenagers. My son left home for college last year and my daughter is sixteen. Once again, writing has been my way of processing both the challenges and the joys of this new stage of life. 

I have a terrible memory – I find it hard enough to remember a book I read last week, let alone ten years ago – so I was determined that this book would work as a stand-alone novel.  Readers are welcome to read or re-read Big Little Lies but it’s not a prerequisite. It’s also not necessary to be a parent! Big Little Truths is a fast-paced mystery story and I’m very happy for it to be called a ‘beach read’ although a beach is not required. 

One of my life’s greatest privileges is writing stories for a living, so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Barnes & Noble customers for allowing me to do my dream job. Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning, or you are brand new to my books: thank you, thank you, thank you.