Knowing the Shape of Your Story

Mar 13, 2025

Bianca interviews Kristen Arnett, a New York Times best-selling author known for her humorous and poignant storytelling. They explore Kristen's writing process, emphasizing the importance of research and character development. The discussion highlights the role of humor and surprise in engaging readers, as well as the complexities of first-person narration. Kristen shares her insights on crafting narratives that balance past and present, drawing parallels between joke-telling and effective storytelling. Plus, listeners enjoy a reading that showcases Kristen's unique voice.

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ANECDOTE

Researching Clowning Deeply

Kristen Arnett used her library science training to deeply research clowning and performance arts for authentic writing.
She respected the seriousness of clowning as an art form in Orlando's tourist industry culture.

ANECDOTE

Year to Find Character Voice

Kristen spent a full year thinking about her character Cherry Hendrix to fully inhabit her voice before writing.
Writing was joyful because she fully connected with Cherry, feeling her as a funny, messy, and resilient persona.

ADVICE

Think Story Structure as Shape

When writing a novel, think of each chapter's structure as a distinct shape or unit that supports the whole story.
Consider the 'shape' of your story to help with beginnings, endings, and reader engagement.

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Warning: mature content.

In this insightful segment that will make you laugh out loud, Bianca interviews New York Times best-selling writer, Lamda Literary Award finalist and Shearling Fellowship recipient, Kristen Arnett, the author of 'Stop Me If You've Heard This One.' They discuss the unique aspects of Kristen's writing process, including her extensive research, character development, and the importance of humor and surprise in storytelling. Kristen shares insights into her creative journey, the intentional structure of her chapters, and the significance of character insights in connecting with readers. The episode also features a reading from her book, showcasing her distinctive voice and style.

Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.

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