How Research Should Inform a Novel Without Leaving Too Many Fingerprints
Mar 21, 2024
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Authors discuss the delicate balance of revealing plot in query letters, emotional calibration in characters, and avoiding information overload. Garrard Conley shares insights on writing memoirs, luck in publishing, and the importance of research. The podcast also explores crafting authentic queer narratives, emotional storytelling through research, and promoting meaningful book lines.
Effective querying balances plot intrigue with character dynamics.
Importance of luck and networking in the publishing industry.
Deep research enhances storytelling by blending historical accuracy with emotional depth.
Deep dives
Exploring Writing Group Opportunities
Beta Reader matchup is open for March, offering writers the chance to find potential writing group members for mutual critique. Registration open until March 31st, emphasizing the importance of genre and time zone compatibility. Manuscript completion not necessary. Sign up at BeyondCameray.com for Beta Reader matchup.
Webinar on Creating Tension in Writing
Cece announces an upcoming webinar, 'Writing Tension,' on April 11th via Zoom, focusing on conflict, stakes, and tension in storytelling. Offering expert insights, practical tips, and novel examples to enhance narrative tension. Includes a post-webinar Q&A session for in-depth discussions.
Discussion on Writing and Publishing
Podcast episode 'The Shit No One Tells You About Writing' features discussions on bookswithhooks segment and introduces guest author Ron Morgan. Feedback is provided on Ron's query letter, emphasizing the importance of title, plot points, and character dynamics. Authors share insights on storytelling elements and querying best practices.
Language Learning Recommendations
Promotion for Rosetta Stone language learning program, highlighting its immersive approach for fluency development in 25 languages. Special emphasis on speech recognition technology for accent improvement. Offer includes 50% off lifetime membership for comprehensive language learning experience.
The Origin Story of 'Boy Erased'
Garrett shares the serendipitous journey that led to the creation of 'Boy Erased'. Attending the Sozopol Fiction Conference in Bulgaria and making connections that ultimately led to meeting an agent, the process seemed like a series of fortunate events. Despite initial doubts about the manuscript's reception, the memoir found its way to publication after a series of twists and turns, highlighting the significance of luck and finding the right opportunities.
The Evolution of 'All the World Beside'
Garrett delves into the meticulous research and creative process behind 'All the World Beside'. Inspired by his husband's challenge to write a Puritan queer love story, Garrett immersed himself in 18th-century literature, particularly Jonathan Edwards' sermons. The seven-year writing journey involved extensive research on gender identity, material culture, and language fusion to authentically capture the period. Balancing portrayals of male gay characters with nuanced depictions of women's experiences, the novel's evolution reinforces the delicate balance between research-based writing and emotional depth.
In today's Books with Hooks, Carly, CeCe, and Bianca are joined by Ron, to discuss his query submission. They chat about Ron's curiosity-inducing first query paragraph; the line between giving away too much plot and sharing just enough in a query; how subjective agents’ opinions can be; the right emotional calibration within your characters; the issue with having too many names in opening pages; ways authors share the socio-emotional frameworks of their characters; balancing interiority with explanation and exposition; the difference between emotionality, interiority, and 'telling'; and the idea of putting characters in situations that will reveal the right things about them.
After which, Bianca interviews Garrard Conley, professor, and New York Times bestselling author of the memoir, Boy Erased. They discuss All the World Beside; the letter to the reader in the advanced copy; Gerrard's unconventional journey to the publication with Boy Erased; the role of luck in the industry; whether Garrard had a large platform/following when he published his memoir; subjectivity of agents and publishers; Garrard's process in writing his latest book; the benefits of researching, even when some of the information doesn't make it into the final work; the number of edits Garrard went through before he produced his final draft; and the idea of 'jazz hands writing' versus simplistic emotional truth.
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