Terribleminds (Chuck Wendig)

Ruth Knafo Setton: Five Things I Learned Writing Zigzag Girl

Ruth Knafo Setton reflects on five pivotal lessons learned while writing her thriller Zigzag Girl, from a harrowing real‑life straitjacket escape to the unique flavor of Atlantic City’s historic underbelly. She describes how the city’s layered past fuels the novel’s atmosphere and how her “Jersey magic” blends streetwise swagger with classic illusion. The author also explores the dangerous chemistry between protagonist Lucy Moon and a suspect‑turned‑love‑interest, underscoring love as the most perilous magic. Setton’s work has earned multiple genre awards, cementing her status in contemporary thriller fiction.