The Shit No One Tells You About Writing cover image

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

How Character Relationships Can Reveal Vulnerability and Create High Stakes

Oct 10, 2024
Alix E. Harrow, a Hugo-Award winning and NYT bestselling author known for her works like 'The Ten Thousand Doors of January,' dives into her latest novel 'Starling House.' She explores how character relationships illuminate vulnerability and raise stakes, plus the flexibility of word counts in sci-fi and fantasy. Alix shares her world-building process, the art of using secondary characters effectively, and innovative techniques like footnotes—all while emphasizing writing beautiful prose in the drafting phase and balancing backstory with curiosity.
30:28

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Alix E. Harrow emphasizes the role of secondary characters in elevating stakes and deepening the emotional complexity of the narrative.
  • The discussion highlights the importance of balancing character backstory revelation to maintain curiosity while enhancing relatability throughout the story.

Deep dives

Upcoming Deep Dive Virtual Retreat

The first and second of February 2025 are set for a Deep Dive virtual retreat that has shifted to a weekend format to maximize participation from listeners around the world. This year will feature sessions and workshops from a previous 10-week deep dive and promise access to an expanded group of gatekeepers. Attendees can look forward to presentations from various authors along with a greater number of agents and editors being featured than in previous years. Important dates to remember include November 29 for early bird pricing, encouraging early registration for those interested.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode