How to Make Readers Connect With Your Characters
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra
4.8 • 733 Ratings
🗓️ 22 June 2023
⏱️ 55 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Today's episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to www.hellofrresh.com/tsnotyaw16 and use the code tsnotyaw16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping!
In today’s episode, Bryn Turnbull joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about The Paris Deception. During the episode, they discuss being unlucky in publishing; story inspiration; not having things too neat and tidy (coincidental); morally ambiguous women in history and writing morally ‘grey’ female characters; specificity in query letters; maintaining action in the opening pages; grounding the reader with location and time stamps; layering interiority and sharp specifics; connecting readers experiencing current events with those in historical fiction; and advice for writers from a creative writing instructor.
Find us on our socials:
Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyra
Instagram: @biancamarais_author @carlywatters @cece_lyra_agent @ the_shit_about_writing
Facebook: @tsnotyaw
Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com
More information about Bryn can be found at brynturnbull.com. She's on Instagram @brynturnbullwrites and on Twitter @BrynTurnbull.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Acorns: https://acorns.com/TSNOTYAW
* Check out Acorns: https://acorns.com/TSNOTYAW
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hi there and welcome to our show. |
| 0:09.1 | The shit no one tells you about writing. |
| 0:12.0 | I'm Bianca Murray and I'm joined by Carly Waters and Cici Lira from PS Literary Agency. |
| 0:19.5 | It's a new year and time to get fresh eyes on your work in progress. |
| 0:24.0 | Are you looking for beta readers, some of whom might potentially become writing group members |
| 0:28.5 | down the line? |
| 0:29.5 | Are you wanting to be matched up with those writing in a similar genre and or time zone |
| 0:34.6 | so they can critique your work as you critique theirs at the same time. |
| 0:38.7 | Your manuscript doesn't have to be complete to sign up for this 3,000 word evaluation. |
| 0:44.1 | This matchup will be open to registrations from now until the 2nd of March with the |
| 0:49.2 | matchup emails going out on the 3rd of March. |
| 0:52.4 | Always such an exciting day. |
| 0:54.7 | For more information and to register, go to Bianca Moray.com and go to the beta reader |
| 0:59.6 | matchup tab. |
| 1:00.9 | And please spread the word, even if you aren't joining the matchup this time. |
| 1:05.5 | The more writers we have signed up, the better the matches will be. |
| 1:10.4 | Hello from Cici. |
| 1:11.9 | I'm so excited to announce an all-new class called Starting It Right, |
| 1:16.1 | which is all about how to begin your story in the best place and in the best way. |
| 1:20.6 | Now, this is going to be a four-day class, so come prepared to take lots of notes. |
| 1:25.1 | We'll cover the different types of beginnings and how to choose the best one for your story, |
| 1:30.1 | how to frame your inciting incident in a compelling way, common mistakes writers make when starting a story, |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.