Podcast Summary: "The Shit No One Tells You About Writing" - April Bonus Episode

Hosts:

• Bianca Marais (Author of The Witches of Moonshyne Manor)
• Carly Watters (Literary Agent, P.S. Literary Agency)
• CeCe Lyra (Literary Agent, P.S. Literary Agency)

Guest:

• Lauren Ling Brown - BA in English Literature from Princeton University, MFA in Film Production from USC School of Cinematic Arts, currently a film editor in Los Angeles. Author of Society of Lies, a Reese's Book Club Pick.

Introduction to the Episode

In the April Bonus Episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, Bianca Marais hosts Lauren Ling Brown, a debut author whose novel Society of Lies has garnered significant acclaim, including being selected for Reese's Book Club. Joined by co-hosts Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, the episode delves deep into Lauren's journey as a writer, the intricacies of her debut novel, and the realities of the publishing industry.

Lauren's Journey to Publication

Lauren Ling Brown shares her arduous yet inspiring path to publication:

• Early Attempts:

  • "I actually tried to write a similar story ten years ago, and that was when I was in film school. It was sort of my thesis project." [05:31]
  • Lauren initially attempted writing in film but transitioned back to novel writing after a decade in film editing.

• Persistence Through Rejections:

  • "I had always loved writing. I'm obsessed with reading... I just didn't know if I could actually get a book published." [05:31]
  • After writing two unpublished novels, Lauren persisted with her third attempt, Society of Lies, which eventually led her to secure an agent, Alexandra.

• Collaboration and Rewrites:

  • "We actually spent about a year revising the book and we changed it quite a bit." [07:07]
  • Collaborating with her agent and editor, Lauren underwent extensive rewrites, adding critical elements like a younger sister character, Naomi, which enriched the narrative.

The Prologue: Crafting Curiosity

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the powerful prologue of Society of Lies:

• Reading the Prologue:

  • Lauren reads a captivating prologue that sets a tense and mysterious tone without revealing which sister is narrating.
  • "Tonight feels endless, as if nothing matters but this moment... There's something dark lingering in the shadows." [08:08]

• Impact and Strategy:

  • "A lot of heavy lifting this prologue did... We're immediately like, ooh, what happened?" [11:56]
  • The prologue effectively plants curiosity seeds, introduces tension, and showcases the emotional depth of the characters.

• Evolution of the Prologue:

  • "I had a few different prologues with my agent... We didn't know which sister was speaking." [08:08]
  • Through collaboration, the prologue evolved to maintain mystery and enhance reader engagement.

Differentiating Points of View (POVs)

Lauren discusses the challenges and strategies involved in managing dual POVs and multiple timelines:

• Character Voice Distinction:

  • "I tried to give Maya a slightly more naive voice and Naomi more outgoing." [16:10]
  • Techniques included writing Maya’s chapters by hand and Naomi’s on the computer to subconsciously differentiate their voices.

• Maintaining Clarity:

  • "After every writing session... I tend to read it back... trying to differentiate just Maya's voice and then just Naomi's voice." [18:11]
  • Regular review sessions ensured clarity in each character's distinct voice and perspective.

• Organizing Timelines:

  • Lauren navigates between multiple timelines—Maya’s narrative in 2023, flashbacks to 2010-2012, and Naomi’s perspective in 2022-2023—ensuring readers remain oriented through careful plotting.

Incorporating Social Commentary

A noteworthy aspect of Society of Lies is its embedding of social commentary within a psychological thriller framework:

• Intentional Depth:

  • "For me, my favorite books are the ones that dive below the surface level... making some kind of statement about humanity or relationship, sisterhood." [19:30]
  • Lauren strives to reflect diverse perspectives, particularly highlighting women of color and their experiences.

• Balancing Entertainment and Message:

  • "It wasn’t necessarily sharing my perspective, but sharing the characters’ perspectives." [20:44]
  • The narrative intertwines societal issues seamlessly with character development and plot progression.

• Personal Experiences:

  • "I tried to draw a lot from my personal experience, especially as a sister or as a black and Chinese daughter of an immigrant." [21:54]
  • Authenticity in storytelling is achieved by infusing personal and cultural insights into the narrative.

Success as a Reese's Book Club Pick

Lauren reflects on the impact of Society of Lies being selected for Reese's Book Club:

• Dream Realized:

  • "Being in Reese's Book Club has just been a dream... I was just so excited and I still am so over the moon." [29:40]
  • This accolade has significantly boosted her visibility and validated her dedication to writing.

• Managing Success and Pressure:

  • "I try not to think about the pressure. The pressure comes more from readers like reading Goodreads reviews." [29:40]
  • Lauren emphasizes focusing on the joy of writing while cautiously navigating external pressures from public reception.

Conclusion of the Interview

The episode concludes with encouraging thoughts and mutual appreciation between Lauren and the hosts:

• Encouragement and Support:

  • "It's been such a pleasure to talk with you." [30:44]
  • The hosts express excitement for Lauren’s future projects and gratitude for her insights.

• Call to Action:

  • Lauren promotes her upcoming interactive writing class, Writing Emotion and Relationships, starting on June 18th, aimed at enhancing writers' ability to convey emotions and develop relationships within their narratives.

Notable Quotes

• Lauren Ling Brown on Emotional Writing:

  • "Pulling that off is hard work. It involves not only the obvious skill of writing emotion really well, but also mastering writing relationships effectively." [00:05]

• Bianca Marais on Prologue Impact:

  • "We're immediately like, ooh, what happened? We've got the sinister, dark, quiet quality to the night... we're curious to know what happens next." [11:56]

• Lauren on Storytelling Intent:

  • "If we could just listen to each other and come a little bit closer together and realize, you know, we have more in common than we have different, I think it would really improve all of our lives." [20:44]

Key Takeaways

1. Persistence is Key: Lauren's decade-long journey, including rejections and extensive rewrites, underscores the importance of perseverance in writing.

2. Collaborative Editing: Working closely with agents and editors can significantly enhance and refine a manuscript, often leading to pivotal changes that elevate the story.

3. Effective Prologue Crafting: A well-written prologue can set the tone, introduce mystery, and hook readers without revealing too much.

4. Distinctive Character Voices: Employing unique techniques to differentiate POVs ensures clarity and maintains reader engagement in multi-POV narratives.

5. Integrating Social Commentary: Seamlessly weaving societal issues into the plot adds depth and relevance, enriching the storytelling experience.

6. Handling Success Gracefully: Achieving accolades like Reese's Book Club Pick is rewarding but comes with its own set of pressures, which writers must navigate thoughtfully.

Final Thoughts

This episode provides aspiring writers with invaluable insights into the complexities of publishing, character development, and the delicate balance between storytelling and social commentary. Lauren Ling Brown's experiences serve as a testament to the dedication required to craft a compelling debut novel that resonates with readers and garners critical acclaim.