The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Latest Episodes:

Tess Gerritsen's Advice to Writers Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks , Carly and CeCe each critique two query letters. In the process, they discuss stories with magical elements and why the author chooses that specific world as the vehicle for the story; the importance of not revealing too much about a character’s ending state of interiority in a query letter; creating believable inner life; delivering on humor; and writing a dual author query.
After which, Bianca chats with Tess Gerritsen, NYT bestselling author of Listen to Me about transitioning from romantic suspense to medical thrillers and crime novels; the secret to her longevity in a difficult industry; changing publishers to avoid the death spiral; what it’s like spending 22 years with the same characters; approaching characterization; including subtle social commentary in your novels; and her advice for emerging writers.

Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Tess can be found at @tess.gerritzen on Instagram, and at www.tessgerritsen.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Writing Memoir, Planting Curiosity Seeds & Choosing Inciting Incidents Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

In today's Bonus Episode, CeCe chats with Zibby Owens, podcaster, publisher, CEO and author of Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature. Theyplay two truths and a lie (the writing version); discuss a strategy for turning memories into memoir; and Zibby's writing and publishing advice for emerging writers.

After which, Bianca chats with Samantha M. Bailey, bestselling author of Watch Out for Her about sewing curiosity seeds; writing messy first drafts; being aware of your writing crutches;
choosing your tenses intentionally; and what it's like to be a bestselling author.
Finally, Bianca chats with Natasha Omokhodion-Kalulu Banda, award-winning author of No Be From Hia, about the challenges of writing a multi-POV, multi-timeline debut novel; ensuring the voice grows with the character from child to adult; inciting incidents—on and off the page; and working with editors before you query.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Zibby can be found at @zibbyowens on Twitter and Instagram, and at www.zibbyowens.com
Samantha can be found at @sbaileybooks on Instagram and Twitter, and at www.samanthambailey.ca
Natasha can be found at @tashomokhodian on Instagram

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Using a Pen Name & Advice for Showing vs Telling - Riley Sager Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

On today's Books with Hooks segment, Carly and CeCe are joined by Caroline and Sammy who submitted their work for critique. During the discussion, Carly and CeCe remind us to lean into specificity in opening pages; the importance of plausibility as well as newer comp titles; the ‘movie trailer’ trick for dealing with interiority; avoiding generic interiority; and advice for researching the speech patterns of characters from a different time period.

After which, Bianca chats with Riley Sager, NYT bestselling author of The House Across the Lake, about having various pen names; pivoting as a writer; making setting a character in and of itself; showing vs telling, particularly in the thriller genre; the benefits of not giving too much away and making readers do the work; and writing an effective prologue.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Riley can be found at @riley_sager on Twitter and @riley.sager on Instagram, and at www.rileysagerbooks.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

A Genre Guide, What Postcard Scenes Are, Resources Available to Writers, and a Bookstagrammer Gives You Comps Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

In today's Bonus Episode, Bianca chats with Lidija Hilje, an Author Accelerator certified book coach about differentiating between genres; how to use her genre guide; the differences between literary, upmarket, book club, and women’s fiction; how literary fiction moves a story deeper, not forward; what “postcard” scenes are and how to use them; as well as Lidija’s editing and book coaching services and upcoming summer group coaching intensive.
After which, Bianca chats with Kailey. Creator and Community Manager of Write or Die Tribe, about how critique is just like sex; services that Write or Die offers like mentorships, upcoming classes, Small Press Corner, upcoming contests, and literary magazines open for submissions; not underestimating the power of getting acceptances in literary magazines and small presses to boosts your bio; interviews and articles that are resources for writers; as well as remote job opportunities.
Finally, Bookstagrammer, Katy Stanekvitz, of @KatyisReading, joins us to give you comp titles!
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Lidija can be found at lidijahilje.com
Kailey can be found at @writeordietribe and Twitter, and at www.writeordietribe.com
Katy can be found at @katyisreading on Instagram and Twitter

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

May Cobb's Insights on Writing Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe look at the same 3 queries, discussing a technique for discerning whether your plot points are too internal; the difficulties of having a very emotional character in an opening scene; and the importance of plausibility in plot. Carly and CeCe also fight over a query in a good way!
After which, Bianca chats with May Cobb, author of My Summer Darlings, about how to make a prologue successful; peppering a novel with present day interludes instead of a dual timeline narrative; the pressures of the sophomore novel; and the experience of working with a freelance editor.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
May can be found at @maykcobb on Twitter and @may_cobb on Instagram, and at www.maycobb.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Tips for Romance Writers, Blurred Genres & We Answer Your Questions Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

In today's Bonus Episode, Femi Omotade joins us as a guest interviewer to chat with Ava Wilder, author of How to Fake It in Hollywood, to chat about tropes and elements that are not as prominent anymore in romance; reflecting a world in which there are authentic, diverse characters without appropriating voices that aren’t your own and without it feeling like tokenism; writing sex scenes; what Ava learned from writing the first book that she’s using in writing her second of a two-book deal; and Ava's recommended reading for tips on how to write a good romance novel.
After which, Bianca chats with Georgia Clark, author of Island Time, about how genres can be in flux; keeping up with your genre and current books in your genre; writing an ensemble cast; non-fantasy world-building; and using and omniscient narrator for setting the scene/tone in a prologue.
Finally, Carly and CeCe answer your publishing and writing questions in this jam-packed Q & A session.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Ava can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @avawilderwrites and her website is www.ava-wilder.com
Georgia can be found at @georgialouclark on Instagram and Twitter and her website is www. gerogiaclark.com
Femi can be found at @thebookalert on Instagram

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Trusting Your Subconscious and Yourself Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe evaluate the same three query letters, and in the process, they offer solutions for when your novel doesn’t seem to have any similar comps; remind us of the importance of story-forward curiosity; and explain what’s necessary in historical fiction to ensure the feel of a certain time period.

After which, Bianca chats with Isabel Cañas, author of The Hacienda, about the inspiration for the book; carefully choosing your comps; the archetypes of the gothic novel; overturning canons deeply rooted in English literature; writing modern takes on 19th century settings; when writing feels like a fever dream; overcoming rejection and writing what you’re passionate about; pivoting when it comes to genre; writing in sprints; allowing some degree of pantsing so that characters can have agency, because your subconscious knows what it’s doing; and how having no agent is better than having a bad agent.

Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Isabel can be found at @Isabelcanas_ on Twitter and Instagram, and at www.isabelcanas.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Breaking the Rules & The Importance of Juxtaposition & A Bookstagrammer Gives You Comps Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Bonus Episode, Bianca chats with Hannah Orenstein, author of Meant to Be Mine, about drawing on personal connections for characters; getting an opening chapter to work by breaking the rules about interaction and dialogue; and shutting up your inner critic and allowing yourself to write your stories!

After which, Bianca chats with Philippa East, author of Safe and Sound, about structuring your first chapter intentionally; the importance of contrast and juxtaposition; whether you come at your character from the inside or outside; and putting yourself inside your character’s mind.

Finally, we’re joined by Bookstagrammer Katy Stankevitz, of @katyisreading, who gives you comp titles!

Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Hannah can be found at @HannahOrens on Twitter and Instagram, and at www.hannahorenstein.com
Philippa can be found at @philippa_east-author on Instagram and at @philippa_east on Twitter

Katy can be found at @katyisreading on Instagram and Twitter

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How Racism in the US Pushed Tara M. Stringfellow to Write Memphis Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks, we're joined by two authors who submitted their work for critique. In the segment, Carly, CeCe and Bianca discuss when it’s appropriate for a character to be a curmudgeon; the difference between situational grumpiness vs global grumpiness; the importance of vulnerability when dealing with an unlikeable character; the need for your query to show multi-dimensionality in your novel; and the difficulty of having a dangerous situation right at the beginning of your pages.

After which, Femi Omotade interviews Tara M. Stringfellow, the author of Memphis. In their discussion, they address Tara’s goals with Memphis, how it explores themes of forgiveness and how it's a celebration of the beauty of Black people; the pressure to give a real place and characters the authenticity they deserve; creating voice-y characters in a multigenerational novel; humanizing villains; writing moments of Black joy; and an author's level of involvement in the cover design process.

Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Tara can be found on Instagram at @tarastringfellow and her website is www.tarastringfellow.com
Femi can be found at @thebookalert on Instagram

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Combating Query Fatigue & A Bookseller Gives You Comps May 30, 2022

Show notes

In today's Bonus Episode, Bianca chats with Carley Fortune, author of Every Summer After, about setting a book in Canada; her journey to publication; the importance of reaching out to fellow authors for beta reads and critiques; structuring a dual timeline; upping the stakes and tension when you allude to a secret so readers don’t get bored waiting for the big reveal; and making writing a part of your daily routine.
After which Bianca chats with Roz Nay, author of The Hunted, about Roz’s new writing school for kids and adults; finding writers who’s work you really admire and who you feel that their work will elevate your own; how to establish voices-ness; how to know when you’ve got the story and characters right; and where to glean ideas for the next book.

Finally, Emilie from East City Bookshop joins us to give you comp titles!
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com and www.theshitaboutwriting.com
Carley can be found at: www.carley fortune.com and at @carleyfortune on Instagram and Twitter.
Roz can be found at @roznay1 on Twitter and at @RozNay on Instagram. Her website is www.roznay.com
Emilie can be found on Instagram at @emiliegsommer and East City Bookshop can be found at @eastcitybookshop

Our Sponsors:
* Check out The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy and use my code thecca.co/tspodcast for a great deal: https://thecca.co
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands