The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Insights from NYT Bestselling Authors, Ali Hazelwood and Kiley Reid

Feb 1, 2024

Bestselling authors Ali Hazelwood and Kiley Reid share insights in this podcast. They discuss Ali's unconventional path to finding an agent, reader fascination with vampires and werewolves, and tips for writing steamy scenes. Kiley talks about her journey to publication, breaking the rules with character introductions, and strategies for writing authentic dialogue. Both authors emphasize the importance of specificity and creating multifaceted characters.

01:33:42

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Episode guests

Kiley Reid

Ali Hazelwood

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Specificity in plot details, avoiding excessive backstory, strong first chapters, and emotionality add depth to writing.

Ali Hazelwood discusses her journey with fanfiction, unconventional agent acquisition, and writing steamy scenes.

Kiley Reid shares her approach to inciting incidents, character introductions, authentic dialogue, and writing quieter novels with strong emotional impact.

Kiley Reid breaks traditional writing rules, incorporates specific backstory chapters, and uses action beats to enhance dialogue.

Deep dives

Summary of Podcast Episode

In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss a range of topics, including meal planning, the importance of diversity in fantasy novels, and the challenges of learning a new language. The episode begins with a sponsored message about a meal delivery service that offers ready-to-eat and nutritious meals. The hosts then transition to their regular segment of reviewing query letters, providing feedback, and discussing various elements such as character development, plot points, and world-building. Additionally, they touch on the importance of specific details, emotional depth, and integrating diverse perspectives in storytelling. Towards the end, they highlight the benefits of language learning programs like Rosetta Stone and share personal experiences related to language acquisition. Overall, the episode provides insightful discussions and practical advice for writers and individuals interested in various topics such as meal planning, fantasy writing, and language learning.

Introduction

2min

Factor Meals ad, Introduction, and Books with Hooks

4min

Analyzing the Strength of a Book's Hook

21min

Query Letter for a Fantasy Novel

18min

Supporting Kids' French Immersion Homework and Introducing Rosetta Stone

3min

The World of Fan Fiction

13min

Getting a Book Deal and the Plot of 'Bride'

5min

Exploring the Alpha Male Trope and Modern Day Feminism

2min

Developing a Complex and Multifaceted Character

6min

10.

Creating Chemistry Between Characters and Breaking Writing Rules

2min

11.

The Journey to Writing 'Such a Fun Age'

23min

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss the need for specificity with regard to plot details when you have a more psychological book/concept; avoiding too much backstory in the opening pages; the need for your first chapter to be as strong as your prologue (if you have one); being as specific about your genre as possible; and how emotionality adds layers to your work.

After which, we have two author interviews.

Bianca first interviews NYT bestselling Ali Hazelwood, author of Bride and The Love Hypothesis. They discuss how Ali started writing fanfiction; the unconventional way she got her agent; Ali's submission experience with The Love Hypothesis; reader fascination with vampires and werewolves; how Ali tackled world-building in Bride; writing an 'alpha male' trope that still aligns with feminism; how Ali approached making her prickly main character more sympathetic; and Ali's advice for writing steamy scenes.

After which Bianca interviews Kiley Reid, author of the NYT bestseller, Such a Fun Age, and her latest, Come & Get It. They discuss Kiley's journey to publication; her choice of inciting incident for both of her novels; how she successfully 'broke the rules' with regards to character introduction in the first chapter; her strategies for writing authentic dialogue; leaning into specificity through action beats within dialogue; Kiley's 'signature move' involving the introduction of backstory; and tips for writing a quieter novel, but with strong, 'loud' undercurrents.

Find us on our socials:

Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/

https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/

https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW

Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com

To ask a question, go to: https://sayhi.chat/TSNOTYAW

Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting

More information about Ali can be found at: https://alihazelwood.com/

She's also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alihazelwood/?hl=en

Kiley is on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kileyreid/?hl=en and on Twitter at

https://twitter.com/kileyreid

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Insights from NYT Bestselling Authors, Ali Hazelwood and Kiley Reid

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Summary of Podcast Episode

Entry Point into the Story

Character Differentiation

Writing Quiet Novels with Simmering Tensions

Importance of Action Beats and Specificity in Writing

Breaking Writing Rules with Intentionality

The Ampersand and Book Cover Design

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Insights from NYT Bestselling Authors, Ali Hazelwood and Kiley Reid

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Summary of Podcast Episode

Entry Point into the Story

Character Differentiation

Writing Quiet Novels with Simmering Tensions

Importance of Action Beats and Specificity in Writing

Breaking Writing Rules with Intentionality

The Ampersand and Book Cover Design

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

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Discoverhighlights

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