Authors discuss crafting compelling plots, protagonist interiority, realistic story details, and pitfalls in writing. Interview with Jo Piazza on dual POV structure, personal inspirations, and advice for writers. Chapters cover character dynamics, query letter analysis, beauty in scenes, and true crime podcasting.
Craft a concise author bio paragraph to intrigue readers.
Deepen protagonist's internal world for emotional resonance.
Authors should engage in promoting and adapting their work across media.
Deep dives
Strong Dreams and Familial Dynamics
The protagonist, Raniki Bello, harbors a dream of achieving a Ph.D. and becoming a Nobel Prize winner. Her focus on academia and the clash with her sister's romantic pursuits sets up an intriguing premise. The familial relationships and the dynamics within, combined with academic endeavors, promise a rich exploration of ambition and personal growth.
Academic Challenges and Romantic Interactions
Facing academic challenges, Raniki enrolls in an analytics class where she pairs up with the attractive baseball player and analytics expert, Rotimi Jacobs, as her tutor. As their relationship evolves from rivalry to bonding over interests, the narrative navigates the intersections of academia, romance, and personal development, offering a blend of humor, tension, and introspection.
Character Depth and Emotional Engagement
While the premise of the romance between Raniki and Rotimi unfolds, there is a need for deeper exploration of Raniki's internal world and emotional journey. The interplay between academic pursuits and romantic entanglements holds promise, yet delving into Raniki's psyche and establishing authentic stakes in their relationship could elevate the narrative's emotional resonance and character development.
Crafting a Dual Timeline Story
Joe Piazza shares insights on crafting a dual timeline story in her novel, 'The Sicilian Inheritance'. Inspired by the murder of her great-great-grandmother in Sicily, Joe explains that she wanted to incorporate both a present-day woman and a woman from 1910 into her narrative. Despite initial fears of writing historical fiction, she allowed the characters to guide her, showcasing distinct voices for each protagonist. The intertwined narratives provide a rich exploration of women's empowerment and societal themes.
Involvement in Adaptations and Entertainment Industry
Joe Piazza delves into her experiences with selling TV and film rights for her books, highlighting the importance of author involvement in adaptations. While initial projects left her somewhat sidelined, she now insists on executive producer and writing credits to ensure creative control. She emphasizes the crucial role of storytellers and entertainers in shaping content across various media, stressing the need for authors to actively engage in the promotion and adaptation of their work in today's evolving publishing landscape.
In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss keeping your author bio paragraph concise; the need for causality in a plot paragraph; paying attention to the language you use in a query so you don't create confusion surrounding the book's premise; knowing who your protagonist is and highlighting their interiority and inner life over other characters'; the stakes in rom-coms; centering your protagonist's experience; making plot details realistic so your readers are on board with them; avoiding pages that seem crafted for the reader; and the 'blank canvas protagonist' issue.
After which, Carly interviews award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Jo Piazza. They discuss Jo's upcoming novel, The Sicilian Inheritance; how she decided on a dual POV/dual timeline structure; whether Jo is a plotter or a pantser, and how she approaches her first draft; mirroring current themes in historical fiction; what a 'book club' book is; weaving elements of personal life into her work; how Jo views herself as a creator; the idea of letting fiction lead the way; the process of film and TV adaptations; and Jo's advice for emerging writers.
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