The Happy Writer with Marissa Meyer

Latest Episodes:

Kendare Blake's True-Crime Inspired Vampire Horror - All These Bodies - Virtual Launch Event Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

Marissa joins Kendare Blake for the virtual launch event of her new paranormal murder mystery - ALL THESE BODIES - hosted by Square Books. Topics include the horrifying real-life murders that inspired the story; what happens when you make a book idea wait to be told, sometimes for years, while you tackle other projects; the decision to leave an ending open to reader interpretation, and how to get it right; why the protagonist of your tale may not make the best narrator, and how a strong narrator acts as a natural lens through which readers will view all the other characters of the story. Plus: gore-themed cocktails, dreamy Twilight dates, and some reader-submitted Q&A!

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Writing a Multi-POV Fantasy Heist with Caitlin Sangster - She Who Rides the Storm Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

Marissa chats with Caitlin Sangster, host of the Lit Service Podcast, about her new fantasy novel - SHE WHO RIDES THE STORM - as well as writing that complex, multi-POV fantasy heist novel, and why Caitlin starts with the characters and their motives; determining the "aboutness" of your story, and how to dig deeper into the heart of your book to uncover the themes you most want your readers to come away with; some things to keep in mind when switching from writing young adult to middle grade; how to use action and stakes to get your reader asking the right sorts of questions from the beginning, without the dreaded first-chapter info dump; and some tips for balancing homeschooling and family life with our personal creative pursuits (with as little parent guilt as possible!).

Writing Complex Character Relationships with Farah Naz Rishi - It All Comes Back to You Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

Marissa chats with Farah Naz Rishi about her new contemporary romance - IT ALL COMES BACK TO YOU - as well as writing sibling dynamics and relationships that are as complex and interesting as real-world families; the roles that fate and coincidence can play in a romantic storyline; a few interesting narration techniques that act like different camera lenses through which to view the story and characters; how we tend to be inspired by issues that concern us in the real-world, and how we can use them to add dimension to our stories, no matter what genre we're writing in; why "read more poetry!" has been on Marissa's to-do list for ages; and Farah's unconventional origin story involving law school and video games.

Character Archetypes and Historical Fantasy Death Tournaments with Sarah Raughley - The Bones of Ruin Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Marissa chats with Sarah Raughley about her new historical fantasy - THE BONES OF RUIN - as well as balancing incredible superpowers with weaknesses and drawbacks - whether physical, emotional, or psychological; using your protagonist's greatest desires, and the consequences they'll face if they don't get what they want, to create escalating suspense; a number of things to consider when designing an in-story tournament or competition; how grounding your historical fantasy in well-researched reality helps your readers suspend disbelief; and a great tip inspired by anime and manga: developing characters around a set archetype, before digging deeper to make them fully realized and three-dimensional.

Pushing the Bounds of Middle Grade Fiction with Maryrose Wood - Alice's Farm: A Rabbit's Tale Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

Marissa is joined by her daughters, Sloane and Delaney, to chat with Maryrose Wood about her new middle grade novel - ALICE'S FARM: A RABBIT'S TALE - as well as writing in third person omniscient point of view (yes, even for young readers!) and how multiple perspectives can be used to show the interconnectedness of your characters, subplots, and the world at large; how following our writerly intuition often pays off with a serendipitous gift from the universe... or research; crafting authentic cultures and belief systems based on factual research, even when your characters are animals; and the pleasure of lush, sophisticated language and vocabulary, and how neuroscience proves that we shouldn't be afraid to use it in children's fiction. Plus, Sloane and Delaney tell the story of our real-life bunny adventure!

A Surplus of Writing Craft Advice from YA Fantasy Superstar Victoria Aveyard - Realm Breaker Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Marissa chats with Victoria Aveyard about her new fantasy novel - REALM BREAKER - as well as a surplus of juicy craft discussion! Topics include the three-act, eight-sequence structure for screenwriting and how it can be applied to novels and series; focusing on plot escalation over the course of multiple books, and using callbacks to show how far your characters have come; a friendlier way to think about the age-old plotter vs. pantser debate; some thoughts on long-term career planning and how to choose your next project; and using maps, real-world history, and "one unbelievable thing" to improve your world-building. Plus: Victoria suggests a simple yet brilliant tactic for developing fantasy names and languages.

Support Your Local Indie Bookstore - The Bookstour Documentary with Mason Engel Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

In this bonus episode, Marissa chats with Mason Engel, sci-fi writer and filmmaker, about his documentary: THE BOOKSTOUR. Topics include a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the documentary making process; why bookstores are the best places to make new friends; the adventure inherent in any roadtrip (hurricanes, pandemics, power outages, oh my!); the unfortunate disconnect that persists between indie authors and indie bookstores; and at least one reason why someone might choose to shop at an independent bookstore, even when there are cheaper options online. (Spoiler: it's all about the love!)
Find out how you can watch The Bookstour by visiting thebookstourfilm.com. All proceeds from the film go to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation in support of independent bookstores.

Elevator Pitches and Playing with Comedic Narration Techniques with Margot Wood - Fresh Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Marissa chats with Margot Wood about her debut contemporary novel - FRESH - as well as using unusual narration techniques to break down the fourth wall between narrator and reader, to absolutely hilarious effect; trusting your instincts and ignoring the naysayers, even when/especially when you're writing something very different from the current market; how a book's design and typography can make for an immersive reading experience; the #1 marketing tool for writers, according to the founder of Epic Reads (spoiler: it's your elevator pitch!); and on that note - thinking of your book like a wedding in order to determine its most memorable elements and distill them into an awesome hook.

From Classic Literature to Modern Horror with Tori Bovalino - The Devil Makes Three Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Marissa chats with Tori Bovalino about her debut young adult novel - THE DEVIL MAKES THREE - as well as tapping into your own fears in order to write effective horror and really scare your readers; treating your setting as its own character, and using real-life locations to hone in on atmospheric details; how completing higher education can change our creative process and impact our career goals; some ways that classic literature can inspire us, and perhaps encourage a bit more sarcasm and wit; and some suggestions for including religious elements in your story without imposing specific beliefs on the work.

Retelling a Modern Cinderella and Writing Disney IP Projects with Julie Murphy - If the Shoe Fits Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

Marissa chats with Julie Murphy about her first adult romance - IF THE SHOE FITS - and her 8 million other projects (PUMPKIN, FAITH, anthologies, oh my!); as well as a little bit of TWILIGHT appreciation; working with a publisher on packaged projects and how much creative control Julie had in her Disney-based romance; placing characters, especially villains, in "different lights" in order to alter how both the reader and other characters respond to them; how groundbreaking and inspiring DUMPLIN' and Julie's full-figured protagonists have been for the market; and some of the differences between writing young adult versus (closed door) adult romance. Also: a mini cameo from Marissa's mom. (Hi Mom!)