The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

February Bonus Episode

Feb 24, 2025

Karen Thompson Walker, an acclaimed author and creative writing professor, dives into the themes of her novel 'The Strange Case of Jane O,' exploring the complexities of identity, trauma, and unreliable narration. She emphasizes the importance of planting curiosity seeds in stories to engage readers. Joining her, Emilie Sommer from East City Bookshop tackles the intricacies of comparative titles, offering insights into crafting emotional depth in literature. This lively discussion brings forth the art of storytelling and the challenges of character development.

01:35:39

Creator website

Episode guests

Emilie Sommer

Karen Thompson Walker

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Establishing a compelling beginning is crucial for engaging readers and introducing essential themes effectively in a narrative.

Writers should avoid excessive backstory at the start, balancing exposition with mystery to captivate the audience from the onset.

Creating relatable, well-rounded characters through showcasing their internal struggles and external conflicts deepens reader investment in the story.

Embracing feedback and participating in communal critiques are vital for refining writing skills and fostering a supportive writing community.

Deep dives

Importance of Story Beginnings

The discussion emphasizes the critical role of story beginnings in establishing a strong narrative foundation. A well-crafted beginning can engage readers, set the tone, and introduce essential themes effectively. Writers are encouraged to explore various types of openings and choose the one that aligns best with their story's purpose. The necessity of framing the inciting incident compellingly is highlighted as a key strategy to captivate the audience.

Intro

3min

Exploring Quiet Stories: Introspection in 'Stone Yard Devotional'

26min

Anecdotes and Authenticity in Storytelling

12min

The Power of Anecdotes in Storytelling and Personal Growth

3min

Exploring the Mysteries of the Mind

17min

Crafting Curiosity in Narrative

11min

Exploring the Unreliable Narrator and the Art of Immersion in Reading

2min

Navigating Literary Comparisons

18min

The Struggles of Jonah: Dystopian Survival

7min

10.

Engaging the Community: Writing Classes and Beta Reader Matchup

3min

In the first engaging conversation of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Booker Prize-nominated Charlotte Wood, the acclaimed author of Stone Yard Devotional. They delve into the challenges of writing quiet stories, the significance of visitations in the narrative, and the intentional choices behind the unnamed narrator. Wood discusses her unique diary style, the themes of guilt, shame, and forgiveness, and the power of anecdotes in storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of specificity and emotional depth in literary fiction, providing insights into the writing process and the complexities of character development.

Next, Bianca interviews Karen Thompson Walker, author of The Strange Case of Jane O. They explore the themes of the novel, including the intersection of ordinary and extraordinary experiences, the structure of the narrative, and the use of unreliable narrators. Walker shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her work, and the importance of curiosity seeds in engaging readers. The discussion highlights the complexities of memory, identity, and the human experience, making it a rich exploration of contemporary fiction.

Finally, Emilie Sommer from East City Bookshop answers all your burning comp title questions.

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.

Find us on our socials:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author

https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent

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

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

To submit a question for the show, go to https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/submit-a-question.html

For more information and to sign up for the Beta Reader Match Up, go to https://www.biancamarais.com/beta-reader-match-up.html

To subscribe to our Substack newsletter, go to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/about

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