Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle: Conversations with authors, journalists, agents, novelists, memoirists, niche writers, publishers, writing teachers, assigning editors and media experts. #148 How to Hook Readers by Planting Curiosity Seeds in Interactive Novels with Bianca Marais
Estelle Erasmus welcomes back acclaimed author and creator and host of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast, Bianca Marais, to chat about her latest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder—an innovative, genre-blending mystery packed with magic, reader-driven puzzles, royal intrigue, and multiple points of view.
Bianca shares how she crafted this original story: a locked-room murder mystery set in a magical royal family, told through over a dozen POVs, choose-your-own-adventure chapters, and interactive puzzles that invite readers to email for clues and bonus content. Estelle and Bianca dive into everything from the writing process to the strategic use of point-of-view shifts, how to keep villains compelling, and what writers can learn from puzzles.
Together, Estelle and Bianca explore how to use curiosity to hook readers, build momentum with multiple POVs, and write villains who are flawed yet irresistible. Whether you're a fan of mysteries, a writer fascinated by craft, or just curious about what makes interactive fiction tick, this episode is a masterclass in creativity and reader engagement.
In this episode:
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How Bianca designed an interactive novel that readers can play and puzzle through [3:29]
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The role of puzzles, alternate endings, and bonus chapters in fiction [5:10]
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Craft tips on managing multi-POV narratives and character arcs [9:08]
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Keeping the pacing of a story and how to do it well [15:44]
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Building a strong foundation for a story [17:18]
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The five minute rule [18:51]
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Why flawed, relatable villains make the best antagonists [25:27]
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How Bianca balances creativity with market trends—and still writes from the heart [33:41]
Whether you're a mystery fan, an aspiring novelist, or just curious about how interactive fiction works, this episode is a masterclass in creativity, craft, and reader engagement.
Watch on YouTube:
Bianca Marais cohosts the popular podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, which is aimed at helping emerging writers get published. She teaches creative writing through the podcast and was named a winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. She lives in Toronto, where she loves playing escape-room games and writing about strong female protagonists.
Connect with Bianca
Website
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/
Episode #63 Witchy Writing with Author/Podcast Host of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing with Bianca on Freelance Writing Direct
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wTEu0HbXPM
Episode Where Bianca and CeCe talk about Bianca writing her book https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shit-no-one-tells-you-about-writing/id1530250126?i=1000711255212
Don't forget to check out my episode on The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Talking All about How to Get Your Writing Noticed, Pitching, Publishing and More.
If you haven't yet—watch my TEDx Talk:
How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond
In this bold, funny, and widely shared talk, I blend personal storytelling with the real-world writing strategies I've developed as a longtime magazine editor, NYU professor, and writing coach. It all starts with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine—and builds into a powerful message about how to stand out in a crowded, noisy world, no matter the medium.
📺 Watch, comment, and share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpcWmjpzSIQ
About Estelle: Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a "Best Book for Writers" by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer's Digest and adjunct instructor at NYU, she's written for over 150 outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine, and has served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines.
Explore More:
Writing That Gets Noticed – Buy the book: https://rb.gy/0dpdcs
Audiobook version: https://tinyurl.com/yskfj2zv
Subscribe on Substack for craft tips, pitch advice, and podcast extras: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com
Latest posts: "Stop Counting Your Words. Start Shaping Your Story—And a Bonus for Paid Subscribers." and "How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen"
Listen to more episodes of Freelance Writing Direct: https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast
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