Author Robin Oliveira discusses her latest novel and the importance of research trips. They also delve into the process of torturing characters in the second act, leveraging different types of conflict, and strategies for knowing when a book is finished.
Torturing characters in the second act is crucial for creating compelling narratives.
Being mindful of word choice in a query and framing curiosity seeds can enhance its effectiveness.
Showing inner life and leveraging different types of conflict contribute to well-rounded characters and engaging storylines.
Deep dives
Overview of the podcast episode
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss various topics including meal planning, language learning programs, and the challenges of raising bilingual children. They also provide insights and personal anecdotes about their experiences in these areas.
Meal Planning Made Easy
One of the main topics discussed in the episode is the importance of meal planning and the convenience of meal delivery services. The hosts highlight Factors, a ready-to-eat meal delivery service that offers a variety of dietitian-approved meals, including options like keto, calorie smart, vegan, and more. They emphasize the benefits of skipping meal prep and cooking fatigue by having chef-crafted meals conveniently delivered to your doorstep.
Language Learning with Rosetta Stone
Another topic covered in the podcast is language learning. The hosts highlight Rosetta Stone, a language learning program that uses immersive techniques to teach users how to listen, speak, read, write, and think in a new language. They discuss the benefits of the program, including its speech recognition feature and its extensive range of languages available. The hosts also mention the importance of learning a second language and how Rosetta Stone can be a valuable tool for those interested in language acquisition.
Raising Bilingual Children
The hosts share their experiences and concerns about raising bilingual children. They discuss the challenges of assisting with homework in a language they don't speak, as well as the benefits of their children attending a French immersion school. They mention the importance of language immersion and the opportunities for language learning that arise from living in a bilingual city. The hosts also express their desire to support their children's language development and ensure they have the resources they need.
Development of an Epic Love Story
In this podcast episode, the author discusses the process of writing their ambitious epic novel. The story revolves around star-crossed lovers, Samuel and Haley, whose love endures beyond distance and hardships. The narrative touches on themes of class and wealth, as Samuel, from a lower social status, saves Haley's brother and forms a connection with her wealthy family. However, a financial crisis forces Haley's family to move to Seattle, leading Samuel to embark on a journey to find her. The podcast explores the author's research process, including visiting Scotland to understand the setting and drawing inspiration from their own family history. The novel delves into the challenges faced by the characters in a vast and ever-changing wilderness, highlighting their determination and resilience.
Navigating Subplots and Character Development
In this podcast episode, the author discusses the complexities of incorporating subplots and character development into the novel. They initially had to remove 50,000 words, including entire subplots, while preserving the essence of the characters. The author explains how they condensed these subplots through sprinkling shorter paragraphs throughout the narrative, focusing on the characters' dialogue to maintain their presence. They also highlight the importance of maintaining the original intention of the story while allowing characters to go through personal turmoil and conflicts. The podcast touches on the challenges of balancing multiple viewpoints and timelines, while ensuring that conflicts remain plausible and heighten tension for the readers.
In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly discuss small tweaks for an overall 'fantastic' query; a good example of framing and planting curiosity seeds; starting a novel with a scene where the protagonist is waking up; being careful about word choice in a query; being mindful of when you're being vague vs specific; and the importance of showing inner life in your characters.
After which, Bianca interviews NYT's bestselling author, Robin Oliveira. They discuss Robin's latest novel, A Wild and Heavenly Place; how long it took her to write; the importance of the research trip to Scotland that Robin took; keeping the 'intention' of a novel centred while writing; torturing your characters, especially in Act Two; leveraging different types of conflict; how cutting plot points is like unravelling a thread, and strategies for 'pulling the thread' successfully; and how to know when a book is finished.
