4.8 • 733 Ratings
🗓️ 31 October 2024
⏱️ 39 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Today Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a coming-of-age submission set in the 80s, as well as a speculative literary fiction query.
They chat about the importance of details in a query, as opposed to big-picture themes; an example of a prologue that induces curiosity; layering emotion to create more realistic interactions with characters; including emotion and interiority during narration/exposition to elevate your work; how the emotional complexity of your characters can heighten your readers’ connection to them; figuring out ways to show what characters want, rather than explicitly telling readers what that is; the risk of writing experimental fiction; and avoiding using narration in your first line.
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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To register for CeCe’s upcoming Hacking Writing on A Line Level course, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xDo7-fz8Q-GrnyE6Nw41qA#/registration
For more information about the Deep Dive Virtual Retreat, go to https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/deep-dive-series-2025.html
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
0:00.0 | It's a new year and time to get fresh eyes on your work in progress. |
0:04.8 | Are you looking for beta readers, some of whom might potentially become writing group members |
0:09.2 | down the line? |
0:10.2 | Are you wanting to be matched up with those writing in a similar genre and or time |
0:15.0 | zone so they can critique your work as you critique theirs at the same time? |
0:19.5 | Your manuscript doesn't have to be complete to sign up |
0:22.1 | for this 3,000 word evaluation. This matchup will be open to registrations from now until the |
0:28.5 | 2nd of March with the matchup emails going out on the 3rd of March. Always such an exciting day. |
0:35.4 | For more information and to register, go to Bianca Moray.com and go to |
0:39.7 | the beta reader matchup tab. And please spread the word, even if you aren't joining the matchup this |
0:45.7 | time. The more writers we have signed up, the better the matches will be. Hello from CC. |
0:52.6 | I'm so excited to announce an all new class called Starting It |
0:56.4 | Right, which is all about how to begin your story in the best place and in the best way. Now, |
1:01.6 | this is going to be a four-day class, so come prepared to take lots of notes. We'll cover the different |
1:06.9 | types of beginnings and how to choose the best one for your story, how to frame your |
1:11.6 | inciting incident in a compelling way, common mistakes writers make when starting a story, |
1:17.3 | how to balance exposition and mystery, how to make readers connect with your protagonist, and how |
1:23.6 | to make the reader want to turn to the next chapter and so much more. |
1:28.3 | And guess what? |
1:29.3 | For the first time ever, there will be an interactive component to my class. |
1:34.3 | Everyone who is registered will have the option of sending in the opening scene of their work |
1:40.3 | for a chance to be critiqued during the webinar. |
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