The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Latest Episodes:

Ending the Year with a Shot of Positivity from Alka Joshi Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks, guest agent Veronia Park joins us from Fuse Literary to review four submissions. During the segment, Veronica discusses having the query vibe matching the sample pages vibe; under-promising and over-delivering with the sample; ensuring you have stakes at the end of each POV paragraph in the query; when not to include the prologue in the sample pages; and the three-part rule: what does your MC want more than anything, why can’t they get it, and what will happen if they do/don’t get it?
After which, Bianca chats with Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur about how there isn’t a ticking clock for publishing; having and listening to external cheerleaders; tooting your own horn; when an MFA is worth it, and when it’s not; five crucial tips for emerging writers; taking time away to recharge and then coming back to appreciating your story; and the importance of knowing the story behind the story.
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
Veronica Park on Twitter: @veroniKaboom
Fuse Literary on Twitter: @FuseLiterary
www.fuseliterary.com
Alka Joshi on Twitter: @alkajoshi and on Instagram: @thealkajoshi

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How Using Writing Software Can Elevate Your WIP Dec 27, 2021

Show notes

In today's BONUS EPISODE, Bianca chats with Janet Forbes and Dimitris Havlidis of World Anvil about how the right writing software can take your writing to the next level. Janet and Dimitris discuss how they came up with the World Anvil software and the many ways it can assist with world building for those working in speculative or historical fiction. They also break down the ways in which the software can improve the writing process for those writing in different genres including the aspects like the community building, forums, feedback and writing sprints.
World Anvil is offering a 50% discount on all levels of its software for those attending the The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Virtual Retreat in January.
Find them at www.worldanvil.com
Twitter and Instagram: @worldnanvil

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How Critiquing Other Writers' Work is the Best Way To Learn Craft Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by writers, Michele and Lynne, who have submitted their work for critique. Carly and CeCe discuss writing a story from the perspective of the other; ensuring you have done lots of research to tell that story properly and sensitively; not starting the opening pages with a lack of curiosity; fear or desire as conveyed through surprise; and having sample pages for different POVs if you’ve written a dual- or multi-POV novel.
After which, Bianca chats with the author of The Way We Weren't, Phoebe Fox, about how editing other writers' work is the best way to learn craft; how to incorporate backstory into your writing; context, memory, and flashback types of backstory; treating backstory like a puzzle; how backward momentum slows the forward momentum; being confined to a character’s perspective when you’re in their POV; and using an author pen name and whether or not to disclose the use of it.
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
Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting
Phoebe Fox on Instagram and Twitter: @phoebefoxauthor
Michele on Twitter: @michele_lomb and on Instagram: @michelevlombardo
Lynne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlynnebryant and Instagram: @lynnebryantauthor
Website: www.lynnebryant.com

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BONUS EPISODE: Why You Should Consider Writing Residencies Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

In today's BONUS episode, Bianca chats with the writer Clarisse Baleja Saidi about everything you've always wanted to know about writing residencies. Clarisse gives her top 5 pieces of advice for applying for residencies, and breaks down why applying for—and attending them—could be the boost you need to finish your WIP. Prepare to be surprised!
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
Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting
Clarisse on Instagram: @clarissebaleja and on Twitter: @FreeBaleja

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Incorporating the Epistolary Form into Your Writing Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe discuss starting a book with dialogue; having tension from page one; using sharp visuals from your character’s perspective (specificity); having the right comps for the setting, plot, tone, etc.; using time and character stamps in multi-POV novels; using the story-forward rule to make the reader curious about what’s going to happen next; and reversing stereotypical roles in characters.
After which, Bianca chats with Lindsay Zier-Vogel, author of Letters to Amelia, and Wayne Ng, author of Letters From Johnny, about epistolary-style writing in novels; how to write this way and not have it be pure exposition; moving through an epistolary scene so that it feels natural; using voice in epistolic scenes; and developing your own authentic diary/letter writing voice so you can nail it in your character’s voice.
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
Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting
Twitter: lindsayzv
IG: lindsay.ziervogel
WayneNgWrites.com
amazon.com/author/WayneNg
goodreads.com/WayneNgWrites
Instagram.com/WayneNgWrites
facebook.com/WayneNgWrites
twitter.com/WayneNgWrites

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When a Pantser Becomes a Plotter to Get Published - Kirthana Ramisetti Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks, Emmy Nordstrom Higdon joins us from Westwood Creative Artists to chat with Tyler and Vickie about their work. Emmy unpacks starting with action to get a good sense of voice and character; how the story needs to be front and center with opening pages before digging into issues; starting with something dramatic and compelling; showing the MC out of their depth with internal and external conflict; and dramatizing epistolary parts of a novel.
After which, Bianca chats with Kirthana Ramisetti, author of Dava Shastri's Last Day, about how transitioning from a pantser to a plotter paid off; having your pick of agents and what criteria you can use for deciding on one; writing an ensemble cast and introducing a lot of characters quickly; writing a sweeping family saga; tracking character arcs and timelines; how to choose your POV character for each chapter; writing a story that’s based in the future; making choices about character and plot that work for your story, and incorporating backstory in an organic way.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com
Emmy Nordstrom Higdon on Twitter: @emmy_of_spines
Kirthana Ramisetti on Instagram: @kirthanaramisetti and on Twitter: @popscribblings
Tyler on Twitter: @writerthoughts

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Not Every Journey to Publication Takes the Same Route - Jayne Allen Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by writers, Sally and Katherine, to discuss their query letters and opening pages. We discuss trigger/content warnings in query letters; being specific without being spoiler-y; as well as weaving in emotion. And... wait for it... we actually suggest a prologue! Yes, we do that sometimes!
After which, Bianca chats with Jayne Allen, author of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, about how rejection doesn't mean your writing isn’t any good; how indie-publishing can lead to traditional publishing; not letting the publishing industry choose what’s relatable and what’s not; reaching your audience; believing in your own story and championing it yourself; and how your journey to publication may take a different route to what you imagined.

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
Jayne Allen on Instagram: @jayneallenwrites and on Twitter: @JayneAllenSaid
Sally on Instagram: @Sally_Lotz and on Twitter: @SallyJLotz
Katherine on Instagram: @kcaldwellwriter and on Twitter: @kcaldwellwriter

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Trusting Your Gut in the Face of Rejection - PJ Vernon Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks segment, we have Emmy Nordstrom Higdon from Westwood Creative Artists join us as a guest agent to review submissions not directed at Carly or CeCe. In this episode, Bianca and Emmy discuss authorial voice; jumping right into where the action is; how using appropriate comps can help cut down on a query's word count; including sample pages for more than one POV; and carefully choosing your story’s timeline/setting.

After which, Bianca chats with PJ Vernon, author of Bath Haus about the value of art; changing publishers in between books; trusting your gut when it comes to writing a story you want to write; differentiating POV voices; playing around with interesting structures; starting your book with high stakes; and book club conversations you'll be having once you're published.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com
Emmy Nordstrom Higdon on Twitter: @emmy_of_spines
PJ Vernon on Twitter and Instagram: @pjvernonbooks

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BONUS: Submitting to Presses & Writing Outside Your Comfort Zone Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

In today's BONUS episode, Bianca chats with Ami J. Sanghvi and Patrick Hogan of Gutslut Press about the top ten reasons why indie presses reject submissions even if the writing is really great.
After which Bianca chats with author, Lee Matthew Goldberg, about sharing your drafts with other writers; the writing process when it comes to writing characters whose gender and age are different from your own; using sensitivity readers; muzzling the critical part of your brain, and giving yourself permission to draft; how crowdsourcing information can help generate interest in your book; authoring books in different genres; and using song lyrics in your book.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Website: www.biancamarais.com
Ami Twitter and Instagram: @HotWraithBones
Ami Website: www.amijsanghvi.com
Twitter and Instagram: @gutslutpress
Email: gutslutpress@gmail.com
Lee Twitter: @LeeMatthewG
Lee Instragram:@LeeMatthewGoldberg

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Ken Follett's Incredibly Practical Tips for Writers Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

In today's Books with Hooks segment, Liz and Jami join us to discuss their submissions. Carly and CeCe unpack when to put the stakes at the beginning of the query instead of at the end; the Pixar storytelling rules about coincidences; weaving in emotion with explanation to make it more showing than telling; writing a story in first person and then going back with a “you” lens to make it hybrid second person; and giving a character a small but important goal in the beginning of the book that’s tied to the larger arc.

After which, Bianca chats with world-renowned bestselling author, Ken Follett, about what to do when what you write isn’t coming out the same way the idea played out in your head; having a solid research process including reaching out to experts to ensure authenticity in your story; how to give crucial background information without it sounding like an info dump; tips for stitching unrelated scenes together; and the empathy that’s required to be a historical novelist and a writer in general.
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

Our Sponsors:
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