For The Love of Writing
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra
4.8 • 842 Ratings
🗓️ 23 October 2025
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week on the podcast (listen to it here or watch it on YouTube!), Bianca interviews Hannah Mary McKinnon about her latest thriller, A Killer Motive. They delve into the intricacies of character development, the importance of collaboration in the writing process, and the challenges authors face in the ever-evolving landscape of publishing. Hannah shares her unique approach to creating realistic characters through detailed questionnaires, and discusses the emotional journey of writing and publishing.
Note: Cece Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.
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It’s Beta Reader Match Up time again where you can be matched up with those writing in a similar genre and/or time zone, so they can critique your work as you critique theirs.
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up.html
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | I just got back for my work trip to New York City, where it was still very much a summer. And when I landed home, I was finally able to say, it's wetter weather. Yes, and of course, we all know that cooler days call for layers that last. And Quince is my go-to for quality essentials that feel cozy, look refined, and won't blow your budget. Think $50 Mongolian cashmere premium denim that fits like a dream and a new |
| 0:22.6 | collection of luxe outerwear that you'll be wearing year after year. These are the pieces that'll turn |
| 0:26.3 | into your fall uniform. I'm eyeing the new wool coats and leather coats. They look designer level |
| 0:31.0 | but cost a fraction of the price and the quality, honestly, just as good if not better. Because |
| 0:35.1 | Quince partners directly with top-tier ethical factories and |
| 0:37.9 | cuts out the middlemen, they deliver luxury quality pieces at half the price of similar brands. |
| 0:43.0 | It's the kind of wardrobe upgrade that feels smart, stylish, and effortless. I want to reach for my |
| 0:47.2 | Quince options every time. Both of my Mongolian cashmere items are staples in my wardrobe. I have |
| 0:52.5 | the cashmere tea in gray. It still blows me away at how soft it is. And the Mongolian cashmere mock neck sweater vest in oatmeal. There's something so classy about a sleeveless sweater look because it doesn't bunch up in your coat. It is seamless, classy, warm. At these price points, I'm happy to wear them to the hockey ring to watch my kids and out to dinner with friends. The timelessness of them makes them so functional. If you want to be |
| 1:14.8 | effortlessly chic and warm, I recommend these two picks. Find your fall estables at Quince. Go to |
| 1:20.1 | quince.com slash Tisnotya for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available |
| 1:26.5 | in Canada, too. That is quince.com slash t-snot-ya to get free |
| 1:30.8 | shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com slash t-snotya. Have you been sitting on the fence about |
| 1:37.8 | signing up for the beta reader matchup or have you signed up before but haven't as yet found |
| 1:43.1 | your writing soulmates? |
| 1:44.8 | The next matchup is the last one of the year, so don't snooze on it. |
| 1:49.3 | Get matched up with those writing in a similar genre and or time zone |
| 1:52.9 | so they can critique your work as you critique theirs. |
| 1:56.5 | Your manuscript doesn't have to be complete to sign up for the 3,000 word evaluation. |
| 2:02.1 | This particular matchup will be open to registrations from now until the second of November |
| 2:07.4 | with the matchup emails going out on the 3rd of November. |
| 2:11.5 | For more information and to register, go to Bianca Moray.com and look for the beta reader |
... |
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