The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

In today’s episode, Fiona Davis joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her latest novel, The Spectacular. During the episode, they discuss achieving NYT Bestselling status several times over; having messy story setups and high stakes; interiority and emotionality; ensuring there are obstacles in the main character’s way right from the start; knowing what the main character wants; passive query letters; why having more plot and less talk of themes in a query letter matters; not starting in an obvious place; having description accomplish more than one thing; researching and choosing a setting; outlining and reverse outlining; and using peripheral characters brilliantly.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comMore information about Fiona can be found at https://www.fionadavisbooks.com/. She's on Instagram http://instagram.com/fionadavisauthor, and  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FionaDavisAuthorOur Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Bianca, Carly, and CeCe chat with Jessica Hamilton, author of Don’t You Dare, discussing her experience publishing during Covid, successful depiction of anxiety in submission pages, importance of starting a novel at the beginning, breaking rules with intentionality, writing unlikeable protagonists, and receiving negative feedback from readers.

Today's episode is sponsored by June's Journey. Find the link to the glamorous hidden object game here: https://www.wooga.com/games/junes-journeyIn today's episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique query letters and chat with Lauren JA Bear, author of Medusa’s Sisters. During the show, they discuss being 'on trend'; writing counter-narratives; being inspired by mythology; Lauren's inspiration for her latest novel; doing a deep dive when it comes to research; prologues that work; an excellent query letter; and tips for creating the right tone for your novel.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingMore information about Lauren can be found at: https://www.laurenjabear.com/She is also on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/laurenjabear/?hl=enOur Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In today’s episode, Byron Lane joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about Big Gay Wedding. During the episode, they discuss a character’s why’s; being too on the nose/predictable with plot points; the use of a foreign language; the element of surprise; weaving humour into the story; prologues that have got to go; moving between different POVs (i.e., third-person close and omniscient); choosing the biggest sucker punch POV for each scene; literary devices; jolting the main character into action; writing competitive pages; heightening conflict; and challenges between first and second books.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comMore information about Byron can be found at www.byronlane.com/ He's on Instagram @byronlanedotcom, Twitter @byronlane, Facebook @byronlane, and TikTok @byronlanedotcom.Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In today's bumper Bonus July Episode, we have three amazing interviews!Bianca first chats with bestselling and award-winning author, Ann Patchett, about her latest novel, Tom Lake. During the show, the two discuss how and why Ann wrote past and present as 'bleeding into one narrative' in her latest novel; when to show vs when to tell backstory; testing different ways of beginning a story before settling on the best place to start; breaking the writing rule of starting with a character desperately wanting something; causality and reflecting real life accurately; using specificity to intrigue the reader; and planting curiosity seeds at the right time and place.After which, Tina and Renee of Book Talk, etc. podcast, join Bianca to talk about books they love and what they found to be so compelling about them. During the episode, they discuss Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys; Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas; Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi; The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton; Miracle Creek by Angie Kim; and Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta.Finally, Ramona Ausubel joins Bianca to talk about her latest novel, The Last Animal. They also discuss story inspiration; the emotional truth of a story; plausibility and suspending disbelief; the personal universal element; intentionally choosing POV; writing a teenage protagonist for an adult novel; the relationship between a writer and their work; the evolution of a project, using Fortunately/Unfortunately for story structure; and how to avoid info dumps when trying to convey very technical information.Find us on our socials:Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingMore information about Ann can be found at http://www.annpatchett.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/parnassusbooks/More information about Book Talk, etc. can be found at booktalkpodcast.com. They’re also on Instagram @booktalketc, Twitter @booktalketc, and Facebook @booktalketc.More information about Ramona can be found at www.ramonaausubel.com. She's on Twitter @ramona_ausubel and Facebook @ramonaausubelauthor.Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info!In today's episode, author and agent Jennifer Herrera joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions, and to discuss Jennifer's debut novel, The Hunter.In the episode, they discuss the challenges of starting your pages with a character waking up and being alone; the struggle of holding yourself back when sharing information about your plot or characters; how to plant curiosity seeds successfully; the difference between describing something so you can picture it and describing something in a way that reveals character and sets a tone; the trend towards shorter pieces of writing; and how Jennifer's debut novel became a series.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingMore information about Jennifer can be found at: https://www.jenniferherrerabooks.com/ and on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_herrera_books/Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to www.hellofresh.com/tsnotyaw50 and use the code tsnotyaw50 for 50% off plus free shipping!In today’s episode, Kirthana Ramisetti joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions, while also talking about her latest novel, Advika and the Hollywood Wives. During the episode, they discuss the importance of the 'why' behind plot points; the need for external as well as internal plot points; 'seducing' the reader; mastering the rules before you break them; starting with a ‘there I was, minding my own business’ opening; how to make an opening compelling and page turning when you don’t begin with high stakes; varying your chapter lengths for a very specific reason; and how genre-blending books get pitched.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingMore information about Kirthana can be found at https://kirthanaramisetti.com/She's on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kirthanaramisetti/Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info!In today’s episode, M. Evelina Galang joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her short story collection, When the Hibiscus Falls. During the episode, they discuss how to connect short stories and arrange them into a collection; using setting to inform the story; zooming into plot points in a query; clever ways to world build; meeting a character other than the protagonist in the opening pages; using a personal universal element to connect readers with characters and what this means in the short story format vs a novel; introducing a story’s question in the first line; authenticity of foreign languages that are not foreign to the character; context clues and missing details in query letters; the importance of selecting the right comps; using swear words in women’s fiction; how working in the film industry can inform your writing in terms of attention to detail; line level writing; and starting in media res.If you’re in the Los Angeles area this month, check out Carly’s in-person event at North Fig Bookshop in Los Angeles on July 19th at 7pm PDT!Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingMore information about Evelina can be found at mevelinagalang.com. She's on Instagram @mevelinagalang and on Twitter @HerWildAmSelf.Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info!In today's episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe kick it back old school using the old classic 'Books with Hooks' format during which they discuss leaning into specificity in query letters; stating where you live when writing a query; needing a major dramatic question in a memoir; the importance of protagonist observations in a relationship-driven story; the need for a meaty hook in a memoir written by a non-famous person; and why you have to have curiosity seeds.After which, CeCe interviews NYT bestselling author, Andrea Bartz, author of The Spare Room, about her latest novel; writing about the pandemic; using a psychology background to develop characters; and how the intentionality of verbs and language choices can elevate your work.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingMore information about Andrea can be found at www.andreabartz.com. She's on Instagram and Twitter at @andibartzOur Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info!In today’s episode, Sara DiVello joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her upcoming novel, Broadway Butterfly. During the episode, they discuss why Sara wanted to include certain themes, and the importance of sensitivity readers; avoiding info dumping; common social media mistakes that authors make; where to start if you're intimidated by social media; taking your social media to the next level; keeping query letters succinct; and the importance of specificity.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingMore information about Sara can be found at www.saradivello.com. She's on Instagram at @saradivello.Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands