Podcast Summary: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Episode: Bianca and CeCe Discuss The Real Sht No One Tells You About Writing*
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Waters, and CeCe Lyra
Guests: Bianca Marais

Introduction

In this special episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, host Bianca Marais is interviewed by her cohosts Carly Waters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency. The discussion delves deep into Bianca's latest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder, exploring the intricacies of writing, publishing decisions, and the challenges faced by emerging authors.

Genre Pivoting

Bianca discusses her strategic decision to pivot genres between her novels to ensure better market performance and personal growth as a writer.

Bianca Marais [04:25]: "My pivot to The Witches of Moonshine Manor was a very intentional shift into a genre that was doing quite well at that time. My second book had not sold well at all."

She explains how this shift was motivated by the need to overcome poor sales by exploring new genres, ultimately leading her to write a closed-room murder mystery combined with elements of magical realism.

Crafting the Beginning and Prologues

Bianca shares her process of developing the opening of her novel, including her experimentation with prologues and the eventual decision to exclude it based on editorial feedback.

Bianca Marais [06:45]: "I always begin with a vision of something. I will see a scene. I will see a person. I will see somebody holding an object."

She initially included a prologue depicting the protagonist's traumatic childhood but was advised by her editor to remove it to avoid confusing readers about the protagonist's timeline.

Bianca Marais [09:10]: "That prologue then got moved to chapter 18 as a flashback, and then it got taken out of the book entirely, and now it's a bonus scene that the reader can email the main character for and get."

Managing Tone in Writing

The episode explores how Bianca balances multiple tones within her novel, blending mystery and humor to create a multifaceted reading experience.

Bianca Marais [14:47]: "This book, when this book sent me the invitation, it was like, the dress code is steampunk chic with hooded cloaks and really go to town with that."

She emphasizes the importance of matching the tone to the story's setting and characters, utilizing language techniques like alliteration and metaphor to enhance the narrative's Gothic and Victorian vibes while maintaining moments of levity through quirky characters.

Plotting vs. Pantsing in Writing

Bianca reveals her struggle with plotting a complex murder mystery as a self-professed pantser. She discusses how she ultimately embraced pantsing, allowing the story and characters to guide the narrative organically.

Bianca Marais [18:25]: "I honestly thought that if I was ever going to plot a book, this would be the book I was going to plot. And I sat down with every intention to plot this book, and my brain would just not let me do it."

By trusting her protagonist, Destiny Whip, Bianca allowed unexpected twists and character developments to emerge naturally, enhancing the novel's depth and unpredictability. When challenges arose, such as managing multiple POV characters with hidden agendas, she resorted to reverse outlining to maintain coherence.

Bianca Marais [22:42]: "What does Destiny know at the moment? What does she not know at the moment? What does the character she's speaking with know?"

Incorporating Puzzles in Novels

A Most Puzzling Murder is designed to be an interactive reading experience, integrating puzzles that engage readers alongside the protagonist.

Carly Waters [30:45]: "The book is interspersed with these puzzles that the protagonist is solving. But here's the thing. As a reader, it's super interactive."

Bianca explains the inspiration behind this feature, drawn from her involvement in escape room groups, and how she balanced the puzzle difficulty to cater to both puzzle enthusiasts and casual readers. She introduced an innovative element where readers can email the protagonist for additional clues, enhancing immersion without inflating the book's length.

Bianca Marais [24:02]: "I would love to read a book where I get to engage with the main character, where I get to have a conversation with them."

Handling Ensemble Casts

Bianca discusses the complexities of writing an ensemble cast, particularly in maintaining distinct character arcs and ensuring each character contributes meaningfully to the overarching mystery.

Bianca Marais [26:46]: "They were all my favorites because this was the first time I got to write such diabolical characters... the Scruffmore family is a mess."

She highlights her enjoyment in crafting multifaceted antagonists, each with unique motivations and backgrounds, adding layers to the narrative and challenging readers to empathize with even the most complex characters.

Publishing Decisions and Two-Book Deals

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Bianca's decision to decline a lucrative two-book deal, despite its apparent benefits. She shares the rationale behind prioritizing creative control and the challenges associated with binding oneself to multi-book contracts.

Bianca Marais [30:45]: "One, I trust you implicitly. And I think that's so important for our listeners to know. When you have a relationship with your agent, you have got to trust them."

Bianca recounts past experiences where multi-book deals led to unforeseen complications, such as changes in editorial staff that affected the creative process. Her decision to opt for a single-book deal underscored her commitment to maintaining a strong author-agent relationship and ensuring her future works aligned with her creative vision.

Bianca Marais [34:49]: "I was very lucky in that Nicole had done most of the edits... And I am just so, so relieved that I did not sign that two book deal."

Book Recommendations

In the spirit of community and shared learning, Bianca recommends Notes on an Execution by Dania Kukowska, praising it for its intricate storytelling and expressing excitement about her upcoming interview with the author.

Bianca Marais [35:43]: "I'm going to be interviewing her later this year and I cannot wait to pick her brain about this incredible, incredible book."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Bianca promoting her book launch event and CeCe reiterating the availability of Bianca's novel, encouraging listeners to engage with the interactive puzzles embedded within the story.

Carly Waters [36:25]: "Most Puzzling Murder comes out on June 10th. It is everything you want in a book. It has an unforgettable protagonist, it has an ensemble cast. It has a mystery, it has heart."

Listeners are invited to participate in solving the puzzles alongside Destiny Whip, fostering a unique and immersive reading experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Genre Flexibility: Pivoting genres can revitalize an author's career and align with market trends.
• Narrative Structure: Starting with a strong vision but remaining flexible allows for organic story development.
• Tone Management: Matching the tone to the story's setting and characters enhances the reader's experience.
• Writing Process: Embracing pantsing can lead to unexpected and enriching narrative developments.
• Interactive Storytelling: Engaging readers with puzzles and interactive elements can deepen their connection to the story.
• Publishing Choices: Prioritizing trust and creative control over lucrative deals ensures long-term career satisfaction.
• Community Engagement: Recommending and supporting fellow authors fosters a collaborative writing community.

This episode offers invaluable insights for emerging writers, blending Bianca's personal experiences with practical advice on navigating the complexities of writing and publishing.