Podcast Summary: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Episode: February Bonus Episode
Release Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is a packed double-header for emerging writers: first an in-depth interview with bestselling psychological thriller author Robin Harding, then an exploration of debut author Emily Ohanjanian’s path to publication with her romcom, The Book Tour. Interspersed are discussions about the craft of writing, using structure, tropes, and character development effectively, as well as a Books with Hooks comp segment for writers seeking effective comparative titles. Hosts Bianca Marais, literary agents Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra, plus guest host/bookshop owner Emily Sommer, deliver practical advice and insightful conversations in a lively, supportive tone.

Key Segment 1: Interview with Robin Harding

Main Topic: Crafting Psychological Thrillers and Navigating Publishing Longevity

Notable Book: Strangers in the Villa

Release: March 3, 2026

[03:26] – [04:20] The Prologue-as-Listing Device

• Robin Harding describes opening the novel with a romanticized real estate listing to hook the couple into moving to Spain—a metaphor for their relationship:

  "The relationship isn't in a bad place, but if they work hard enough, they can rebuild this into a beautiful home and a beautiful marriage again." — Robin Harding (04:20)

[05:44] – [07:47] On Structure: Building Intrigue vs. Immediate Action

• Robin discusses balancing reader demands for quick hooks with the need for character depth:

  "It is a struggle to make sure that we are kicking things off with a bang, but also, you know, developing these humans..." — Robin Harding (06:43)

• She relies on planting "curiosity seeds" (Bianca’s term) to engage readers in early chapters.

[09:07] – [10:15] Power Imbalances in Relationships

• Harding highlights layered, non-traditional power imbalances, e.g., emotional leverage in marriage after betrayal.
• Quote:

  "She has the power even. She's the injured party, but she holds the keys to everything." — Robin Harding (09:07)

[10:15] – [13:36] Inciting Incidents and Character Revelation

• The story's true kickoff is a mysterious couple’s arrival, answered by “why now?”
• Robin justifies a character’s sense of dread as both realistic and effective, warning only against overuse.

[13:36] – [14:52] Characterization via Dialogue and Reactions

• Character traits are subtly revealed through interactions, particularly in social discomforts and responses to “knocks at the door.”

[14:52] – [18:52] Plotting vs. Pantsing; Structure and Therapy Transcripts

• Craft Approach: Robin combines outlining major plot points with discovery writing (“pegs on the wall”).
• The novel uses interspersed couples therapy transcripts as an “elegant solution” to backstory and character revelation:

  "There's this kismet that happens in a story where you're like, ah, these things are clicking." — Robin Harding (16:24)

[23:41] – [25:22] Pacing, Twists, and Sophisticated Readers

• Robin breaks novels into sections between turning points, recalibrating as twists gain or lose emotional weight.

[27:01] – [30:05] Publishing Longevity: Reinvention and Resilience

• Robin details her career’s ups and downs, shifting genres, publishers, and editors, but staying with her agent for over two decades:

  "He plucked my very first manuscript out of the slush pile in 2003. He has been my ride or die." — Robin Harding (27:17) "I guess I just say to myself... if I get dropped, which I have been... I just have to believe in my own ability as a writer." (28:34)

• Stresses the need for adaptability and love for the craft as survival tools.

[30:05] – [31:12] Joy of Genre-Shifting & Writing “Dark”

• Transitioned from comedy to thrillers, following her own reading tastes.
• Quotes:

  "You just have to make sure that it's something that you love to write... what do I read now? I read thrillers, I read dark stuff. Could I write it? I don't know." — Robin Harding (30:05)

Key Segment 2: Interview with Emily Ohanjanian

Main Topic: From Book Editor to Debut Romcom Novelist

Notable Book: The Book Tour

[33:32] – [37:27] Origin Story: Editor to Author

• Emily worked for years as a senior editor before turning freelance and developing the protagonist Anna, who sprang onto the page fully formed.

[37:27] – [39:19] Querying Process

• Queried agents she hadn’t worked with, recommends querying in batches.

[39:19] – [40:38] On Being Edited as an Editor

• Describes emotional rollercoaster but ultimate gratitude for collaboration making her book stronger:

  "They only helped to improve the book so much more." — Emily Ohanjanian (39:39)

[43:26] – [45:04] Romcom Musts: Meet-Cutes, Tropes, and Pacing

• Recommends fast pacing in romance and getting leads together on-page early, but no hard rules—tension is key.

  "If you want to really capture people's attention right up front, get them on the page together, show the tension, show people why they're reading this book in the first place." — Emily Ohanjanian (43:26)

[45:37] – [47:43] Tropes as Comfort and Promise

• Tropes now foregrounded in marketing; promise comfort and emotional payoff to readers.

  "A trope is kind of like a promise you're making to a reader." — Emily Ohanjanian (45:37)

[47:43] – [50:18] The HEA Debate

• Romance “must” have a happy ending—HEA or HFN; it’s a core genre promise.

  "100% happy ending. Every romance novel has to have a happy ending. There’s just no debate about that in my mind." — Emily Ohanjanian (48:20)

[50:18] – [52:43] Social Commentary within Romance

• Addresses immigrant family expectations, universalizes “foot in two worlds” experiences.

[52:46] – [55:19] Cast of Secondary Characters

• On balance: “My protagonist is such a dynamo that she cannot be outshone... [but] she credits the people around her.” — Emily Ohanjanian (53:24)
• Secondary characters provide grounding, B-plots, levity.

[55:47] – [58:43] Love Scenes: Spice with Character Arc

• Open-door sex scenes should propel characters’ emotional journeys, not be gratuitous.

  "They should end the spicy scene in a different place than they started it." — Emily Ohanjanian (56:21) "What they say during a sex scene is the most honest they ever are together." (57:47)

Key Segment 3: Books with Hooks – Comp Titles & Query Help

[59:25] – [81:53]

• Books with Hooks segment led by Emily Sommer addresses listener queries seeking comparative titles (“comps”) for queries across genres: from upmarket thrillers and dual-timeline women’s fiction, to literary speculative fiction, heist capers, and cozy YA/mysteries.
• Emily encourages creativity, “vibes,” and community crowdsourcing for finding fresh comps.

Highlights

• Great comps are recent, not too “big,” tonally and structurally aligned.
• For business how-to with a fun twist: think Financial Feminist (Tori Dunlop) or Unreasonable Hospitality (Will Guidara).
• For romcoms with found family/mystery: Jesse Sutanto is often cited for that “Scooby Doo meets Ocean’s 8” feel.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On crafting backstory:

  "The transcripts work best because that was in the past. So it was a really brilliant way...of giving the reader backstory and context. But each time you revealed it...it actually ended up moving the story forward."
  — Bianca Marais, on Robin Harding’s therapy transcript structure (18:52)

• On sustaining a writing career:

  "Publishing's like that scene in Friends where they're carrying the couch up the stairs and Ross just keeps screaming, 'Pivot!' Everything in publishing is constantly pivoting."
  — Bianca Marais (29:42)

• On writing spicy scenes:

  "It shouldn’t just be kind of gratuitous, extraneous sex, but it should be meaningful to their growth arcs and to their relationship arc. They should end the spicy scene in a different place than they started it."
  — Emily Ohanjanian (56:21)

Timestamps for Segments

• [00:00] – Cece’s intro on psychological acuity and her upcoming course
• [01:34] – Main interview intro
• [02:16 – 31:12] – Robin Harding on writing thrillers and publishing
• [32:42 – 59:08] – Emily Ohanjanian on transitioning from editor to debut romcom writer
• [59:25 – 81:53] – Books with Hooks: Comp title matchmaking
• [82:08] – Cece repeats course announcement

Takeaways for Emerging Writers

• Structure and Backstory: Use innovative formats (lists, transcripts) to reveal character pasts without sacrificing momentum.
• Power Dynamics: Explore psychological stakes through unexpected power imbalances, especially in close relationships.
• Career Longevity: Embrace reinvention and resilience; persistence and professional relationships matter as much as craft.
• Romance Musts: Meet-cutes and tropes signal comfort, but pace and emotional connection are vital; happy endings are non-negotiable.
• Love Scenes: Make every intimate encounter shift emotional dynamics or reveal vulnerability.

This episode is a deep dive into the real work—and real joys—of crafting marketable, resonant novels, delivered with candor, humor, and actionable insights. If you missed this bonus episode, you missed a mini masterclass in modern commercial fiction.