It's a Vibe: Plot Points & Emotional Vibes in Storytelling

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

How To, Books, Education, Fiction, Arts

4.8 • 733 Ratings

🗓️ 20 March 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome special guest, literary agent, Lauren Spieller to discuss query letters in romance and fantasy genres. The hosts discuss the distinctions between Young Adult and Adult Fantasy, and the dynamics of character relationships. Lauren provides insightful critiques on a submitted query letter and its opening pages, emphasizing the need for clarity, tension, and character depth. The hosts continue to talk about the intricacies of character development, particularly focusing on the protagonist's depth and emotional projection. The panel discusses a high concept query that intertwines elements of romance and fantasy, emphasizing the need for balance between plot and emotional resonance. They explore the importance of motivation, the implications of dark romance, and the effectiveness of the title. The discussion culminates in a reflection on the protagonist's journey, highlighting the necessity of vulnerability and disruption in storytelling.

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.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Would you like to do some good in the world while also standing in line to win amazing literary prizes?
0:06.5	Of course you would. I'm hosting a fundraiser for a cause that's close to my heart, which is literacy in South Africa.
0:14.1	The Masana Library Project aims to make the future of South African learners brighter by improving the education and supplying a South African high school with the kind of basic resources that we take for granted in North America.
0:27.6	Of course, there are a host of amazing literary prizes up for grabs if you donate to this wonderful cause.
0:34.6	They include developmental edits, coaching packages, manuscript critiques,
0:40.2	and so much more. To learn more about the cause, as well as the prizes and our brilliant
0:45.0	and generous sponsors, head to Bianca Moray.com and go to the fundraiser tab. Entries close at 8am
0:52.3	Eastern Time on the 10th of April, after which the lucky winners will be
0:56.5	announced.
1:03.4	Hi there and welcome to our show. The shit no one tells you about writing. I'm Bianca Murray,
1:10.6	and I'm joined by Carly Waters and C.C. Lira from
1:14.4	PS Literary Agency. Hi everyone. Welcome back to another Books with Hux and today we have a special
1:21.8	guest joining us. Carly, will you please introduce her? Absolutely. So we have a very special guest, and this person, I feel like I'm on smartless podcast now,
1:32.8	where it's like, you know, you have to reveal who the special guest is if you guys
1:35.2	are smartless listeners.
1:36.3	But I won't make this person hide themselves on camera because everybody on YouTube is already
1:40.3	seeing who our special person is.
1:41.9	Our person is an agent, Lauren Spieler, an incredibly talented literary agent over at Folio
1:48.8	and Folio Jr.
1:50.5	Lauren was actually, I went back through my emails to figure out when this was, Lauren was
1:54.6	actually an intern of mine at PS Literary way back when it was 2013, so a very long time ago. And just incredibly thrilled to see all
2:03.8	of Lauren's success in the industry. So we're so glad to have Lauren on because Lauren is also an
	...

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