Samantha Downing Discusses Her Novel 'Too Old for This' About a Retired Serial Killer

The Premise of 'Too Old for This'

• 🎯 The novel centers on Lottie Jones, a 75-year-old grandmother and retired serial killer who thought she had left her past behind.
• ⚡ Lottie's quiet life is disrupted when a producer named Plum Dixon arrives, wanting to create a true crime docu-series, forcing Lottie to consider killing again to protect her secret.

Character Inspiration and Development

• 💡 Author Samantha Downing explains that the character of Lottie was born from her own frustrations with physical limitations and aging.
• 🧠 Lottie's experience of aging, including physical changes and adapting to new challenges, mirrors the author's personal journey.
• 🎭 Downing aimed to give Lottie a "been there, done that" attitude and a snarky inner monologue, making her relatable despite her dark past.

Themes of Judgment and Technology

• ⚖️ A continuous theme in the book is judgment, with Lottie disliking being judged and feeling the weight of constant scrutiny, especially as an older woman.
• 📱 Technology is a significant element, with Lottie grappling with modern tracking devices and cameras, creating challenges for her attempts to remain undetected.
• ⚠️ The novel explores how technology makes it increasingly difficult to be a serial killer in the modern world, with constant surveillance possibilities.

Lottie's Community and Lifestyle

• ⛪ Lottie maintains a realistic social circle, including church friends and bingo nights, where they discuss everyday life, family, and tease each other.
• 🏠 The character also contemplates practical aspects of aging, such as pricing out senior living homes and managing a large house as she gets older.

Author's Writing Process

• ✍️ Downing typically starts with a character and a situation, rather than plotting extensively, and discovers the story as she writes.
• 🔄 Revision and editing are crucial parts of her process to clean up plot holes and refine the narrative.
• ❤️ While not focused on likability, Downing aims to create compelling characters that readers can connect with, even if they don't root for their violent actions.