Episode Summary: "All the Things You Might Not Expect on Your Author Bingo Card"

Podcast: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, CeCe Lyra
Guest: KJ Dell Antonia
Release Date: November 21, 2024

1. Introduction and Deep Dive Virtual Retreat

The episode kicks off with Bianca Marais sharing her excitement about the upcoming Deep Dive Virtual Retreat scheduled for February 1st and 2nd. She highlights the impressive lineup of gatekeepers, including editors and agents who have worked on bestselling projects like Station Eleven, Crazy Rich Asians, and Big Little Lies. Bianca emphasizes the retreat's practical and valuable presentation topics, catering to writers at all stages of their journey. Notably, she mentions Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script, as one of the standout speakers, inspiring attendees with her success from the very first retreat.

Bianca Marais [00:00]: "The presentation topics are brilliant, so practical and valuable regardless of where you are in your writing journey."

2. Guest Introduction: KJ Dell Antonia

Bianca warmly welcomes KJ Dell Antonia to the show. KJ is introduced as the former editor of the New York Times's Motherlode, co-host of the Hashtag Amwriting podcast, and author of How to Be a Happier Parent In Her Boots and the instant New York Times Bestseller The Chicken Sisters. Residing on a small farm in Lyme, New Hampshire, KJ retains fond memories of her upbringing in Texas and Kansas, which deeply influence her writing.

KJ Dell Antonia [02:20]: "Thank you. I'm so excited to be here. I am extremely regular listeners."

3. Book Discussion: The Chicken Sisters

Bianca provides a compelling synopsis of KJ's debut fiction novel, The Chicken Sisters, which has gained significant attention, including its adaptation into a Hallmark original series. The story revolves around three generations of sisters from rival chicken shack families in Marinac, Kansas, whose longstanding feud leads them into a high-stakes reality TV competition, Food Wars. The narrative delves into family secrets, personal growth, and the challenges of overcoming entrenched rivalries.

Bianca Marais [02:25]: "Three Generations, Two Chicken Shacks, One Recipe for Disaster in tiny Marinac, Kansas..."

4. The Debut Author Journey and Challenges

KJ shares her unique journey transitioning from nonfiction to fiction. As a writer with the New York Times, she had an established platform, but debuting a fiction novel presented high stakes. She meticulously prepared her manuscript, working with a book coach, Jenny Nash, before querying her nonfiction agent despite knowing her agent's limited experience with fiction. Unexpectedly, her agent referred her to a colleague within the same agency, leading to a swift preemption with Putnam and subsequent success.

KJ Dell Antonia [04:42]: "I really worked hard to get this novel as good as I could possibly get it, both on my own and working with a book coach..."

However, KJ candidly discusses the pressures of debuting big, where exceeding expectations can make future projects feel more challenging. Her subsequent novels, while successful, reflected the difficulties of maintaining momentum after a blockbuster debut.

KJ Dell Antonia [06:44]: "I don't think anyone judges their insides by somebody else's outsides..."

5. Author Bingo Card: The Unexpected Challenges

The conversation shifts to the metaphorical "Author Bingo Card," outlining the unpredictable challenges authors often face. Bianca and KJ delve into experiences like losing editors—a situation KJ has personally encountered. Bianca relates her own journey, mentioning the loss of her editor at Putnam and subsequent transitions to different publishers, a common yet emotionally taxing aspect of an author's career.

Bianca Marais [08:18]: "Every time you lose an editor, it is called being orphaned. And it is devastating..."

KJ echoes these sentiments, acknowledging that nearly every author knows the pain of being "orphaned" by their editors. This shared experience underscores the often unseen struggles behind an author's public success.

KJ Dell Antonia [09:01]: "I don't think I even know anyone who hasn't been orphaned in that way."

6. World Building in Normal Fiction

Moving into the technical aspects of writing, the hosts explore the intricacies of world building in non-genre fiction. KJ explains her approach to creating the small-town setting of The Chicken Sisters, which mirrors her personal experiences growing up around real restaurants in Kansas. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear mental map of the town, its dynamics, and historical feuds, even if not all details make it onto the page.

KJ Dell Antonia [12:07]: "I need to draw a little map. I need to know where things are."

KJ also discusses the challenge of balancing detailed backstory with narrative flow, learning to pare down extensive historical details to maintain reader engagement.

KJ Dell Antonia [12:41]: "My editor was like, you know what? No one wants to know that. So, yeah, I had a huge amount of backstory that ends up getting pared down."

7. Sneaky Prologue and Exposition Techniques

Bianca highlights an innovative aspect of KJ's novel—the sneaky prologue. Instead of a traditional prologue, KJ employs draft emails from the protagonist, Amanda, to the Food Wars show, providing contextual backstory in a natural, non-intrusive manner. This technique effectively sets the stage without explicitly labeling the section as a prologue.

Bianca Marais [15:31]: "It was such a clever way of giving the reader context, kind of backstory, but without making it seem like backstory."

KJ elaborates on her intentional use of these draft emails to convey the layered history between the feuding families, ensuring the reader gains essential information seamlessly.

KJ Dell Antonia [17:05]: "I very quickly realized that I could use that... So yeah, that was calculated."

8. Choosing Narrative Voice: Third Person Close vs First Person

The discussion deepens into the significance of choosing the right narrative voice. KJ opted for third person close to maintain a balanced dual POV, allowing equal development of both main characters without the confusion that can arise from dual first-person perspectives. She emphasizes that the choice of narrative voice should align with the story's needs and the characters' arcs.

KJ Dell Antonia [21:36]: "This had to happen. And I have also learned that for me, I can't name a character without knowing what their mother would have named them."

Bianca adds her insights, advocating for intentionality in narrative choices to ensure that the narrative voice complements the story's structure and emotional depth.

Bianca Marais [23:10]: "When you choose between first person or third person, it needs to be intentional."

9. Multi-POV Challenges and Stakes

Addressing the complexities of multi-POV storytelling, Bianca and KJ discuss the importance of establishing clear stakes and character arcs for each protagonist. KJ illustrates how Amanda and Mae's opposing desires—Amanda's need to leave the small town and Mae's realization of the town's value—drive the plot forward and enrich their personal journeys.

KJ Dell Antonia [26:12]: "Amanda needs to give herself permission to leave this small town. Mae needs to realize that there's something to be said for coming back."

They also touch upon the difficulty of allocating word count to multiple characters, often necessitating the trimming of side character arcs to prioritize the main narrative.

KJ Dell Antonia [28:02]: "Both the mother and the mother in law also have very small arcs...had to come out."

Bianca reinforces the necessity of aligning plot developments with character motivations, cautioning against disjointed storytelling that neglects the characters' emotional journeys.

Bianca Marais [29:19]: "The wants and needs have got to tip the dominoes forward."

10. Conclusion and Supporting Authors

As the episode draws to a close, Bianca and KJ recap the invaluable insights on the often unspoken challenges of the writing life. They encourage listeners to embrace both the triumphs and tribulations inherent in the author's journey. Bianca also promotes supporting authors through platforms like Bookshop.org, emphasizing the podcast's commitment to aiding writers at every stage.

Bianca Marais [30:23]: "We hope you'll join us for next week's show. In the meantime, keep at it. Remember, it just takes one."

Key Takeaways:

• Transitioning Genres: KJ Dell Antonia's successful shift from nonfiction to fiction underscores the importance of dedication, quality, and strategic querying.

• Navigating Author Challenges: The episode sheds light on the emotional and professional hurdles authors face, such as losing editors and maintaining momentum after a successful debut.

• Effective World Building: Creating a believable setting in non-genre fiction requires meticulous planning and a deep understanding of the story's environment.

• Innovative Exposition Techniques: Employing unconventional methods like draft emails can seamlessly integrate backstory without disrupting narrative flow.

• Intentional Narrative Choices: Selecting the appropriate narrative voice is crucial for balanced character development and coherent storytelling in multi-POV novels.

• Aligning Plot with Character Arcs: Ensuring that plot developments are intrinsically linked to character motivations enhances the story's emotional resonance and drive.

This episode offers emerging writers a candid glimpse into the multifaceted life of an author, blending practical advice with personal anecdotes to illuminate the path to successful storytelling.