Digging Deep to Find Your Characters’ Messy Emotions
Sep 19, 2024
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Join the lively discussion on crafting compelling characters! The hosts explore the fine line between likeable and interesting, focusing on their characters' wants and messy emotions. They share insights on starting your novel effectively and maintaining connected plot points. Delve into the challenges of relatable character dynamics and the importance of vulnerability and depth in storytelling. Listen for helpful tips on navigating emotional landscapes, even with unredeemable protagonists!
Understanding the importance of clear character motivations and vulnerabilities can create relatable and engaging narratives that resonate with readers.
Defining genre and establishing high stakes early in the plot are crucial for maintaining reader interest and investment throughout the story.
Deep dives
Upcoming Virtual Retreat for Writers
A virtual retreat is scheduled for February 1st and 2nd, 2025, aimed at providing writers direct access to key publishing gatekeepers, including agents and editors who have been involved with best-selling books. The retreat is designed to accommodate a global audience by reverting to a weekend format. Attendees can anticipate engaging breakout sessions and workshops similar to those offered in previous programs. Registration opens on November 29th for early bird pricing, a crucial date for interested participants.
Hacking Writing Class Announcement
A three-day class titled 'Hacking Writing on a Line Level' will be conducted in November, focusing on techniques to enhance writing skills. The first two days will consist of structured learning sessions covering various writing rules and strategies, while the third day is dedicated to a Q&A format. This class promises to be intensive and example-driven, equipping attendees with practical tools to improve their writing. Participants will leave with a comprehensive toolkit to refine their craft effectively.
Query Letter Analysis: The Universal Manual of Elevator Repair
In a query letter segment, a debut humorous contemporary fiction novel titled 'The Universal Manual of Elevator Repair' is presented, featuring protagonist Elliot Smithton, who grapples with a family curse that brings chaos to his love life. The plot revolves around Elliot's chance encounter with Lou in a malfunctioning elevator, leading to a series of misadventures as he tries to navigate both the situation and his feelings for her. The analysis highlights the intriguing mix of humor and a speculative dilemma around the curse, with suggestions for enhancing character agency, particularly for the female lead. The discussion raises questions about whether the curse is real and how it affects the dynamics between the characters.
Critical Feedback and Character Development
Feedback on the query letter emphasizes the need for clearer character development and a stronger emotional connection between characters. The discussion notes the importance of showcasing the female character Lou's agency and ensuring that her motivations are as compelling as her male counterpart’s. Critics also suggest incorporating deeper vulnerabilities into the characters’ personalities to enhance relatability and depth, arguing that all characters should have both strengths and flaws. The conversation suggests that establishing high stakes and motivations early on can significantly improve reader engagement and investment in the story.
Today, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss a humorous contemporary fiction query and an upmarket book club query.
They discuss clearly defining your genre; the importance of time stamps when you have a ticking time bomb situation; writing characters that are likeable or interesting enough that readers will want to follow their arc and journey; the necessity of giving characters wants and needs immediately; what "likeable" means in a character; ensuring your plot points are connected; starting your novel in the right place and what that requires; and digging deep to find messy emotions in your characters.
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.
Carly's course for writers, The Author's Publishing Playbook, is available at carlywatters.com/course. If you haven't grabbed it yet, podcast listeners can use discount code POD15
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