Podcast Summary: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Episode: From Audience to Impact: Crafting a Narrative That Connects
Release Date: August 7, 2025
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, CeCe Lyra
Guest: Bryce [Last Name Not Provided]

Introduction

In this special episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, hosts Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra step in to guide listeners through an insightful critique session with their guest, Bryce. Unfortunately, regular host Bianca Marais is unable to join, but Carly and CeCe ensure the episode remains rich with valuable advice for emerging writers.

Guest Introduction: Bryce

Bryce, an emerging author based in Oakville, Ontario, joins the episode to present his debut adult fiction novel titled Barracuda in the Booth. Specializing in offbeat, character-driven adventures, Bryce seeks to refine his query letter and opening pages with the help of Carly and CeCe.

Query Letter Reading and Critique

Bryce's Query Letter Overview ([03:17]):
Bryce reads his query letter, outlining the premise of his novel, highlighting its genre, main characters, and plot hooks. He compares his work to existing titles like The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley and People by Emily Henry, aiming to position his novel within the adventure romance genre.

Carly's Feedback ([06:10] - [08:58]):
Carly commends Bryce on the creative voice in his query but points out areas needing refinement:

• Redundancy: "You stated 'debut adult fiction novel'; simplifying to either 'debut novel' or 'debut fiction' would suffice." ([06:15])
• Genre Clarity: "Labeling the book explicitly as an 'adventure romance' rather than describing it with multiple phrases can help in clear positioning." ([07:25])
• Flow and Momentum: "The query lacks forward momentum, especially after an intriguing line like, 'Georgie drives him off the side of a mountain.'" ([07:41])
• Romantic Elements: "Enhance the romance aspect by highlighting the emotional stakes and consequences tied to the relationship between Peter and Georgie." ([08:20])

Bryce's Response and Further Clarifications ([15:43] - [21:22]):
Bryce elaborates on his characters' backgrounds and motivations, emphasizing the internal and external conflicts driving the plot. He explains how geopolitical elements like cryptocurrency thugs and mystical monks intertwine with personal growth themes.

Carly's Additional Insights ([21:22] - [25:10]):
Carly probes into the target audience, suggesting that clearer genre classification and targeted comparisons could strengthen Bryce's appeal to specific reader demographics. She emphasizes the importance of causality in plot points to maintain narrative coherence.

Final Thoughts on the Query ([42:53] - [50:44]):
Carly expresses skepticism about Bryce's portrayal of the protagonist, Peter, questioning his motivations and decisions. She urges Bryce to develop Peter's character independently of Georgie to ensure a balanced and believable dynamic. Carly emphasizes, "If you don't believe your character's actions, your readers won't either."

Opening Pages Review

Bryce's Opening Pages Overview ([29:57] - [30:53]):
Bryce provides a glimpse into the novel's opening, introducing Peter's arrival in Chiang Mai, his financial struggles, and the mysterious encounter with Georgie Buttercup in a Bodhi Tree.

Carly's Critique ([30:59] - [37:34]):
Carly offers constructive criticism on Bryce's opening pages:

• Title Clarification: "The subtitle 'the Unlikely story of Peter and Georgie in Thailand' suggests a memoir feel, which might confuse the genre positioning. Consider simplifying." ([31:07])
• Character Actions: "Questioning Peter's decision to engage with a stranger's tuk-tuk ride can break reader immersion. Strengthen his motivations to make his actions more believable." ([32:44])
• Emotional Depth: "Incorporate Peter's emotional reactions to events (e.g., relief when not charged) to deepen character development and maintain narrative engagement." ([35:31])

CeCe's Input ([37:34] - [48:58]):
CeCe echoes Carly's sentiments, highlighting the importance of character motivation and the seamless integration of plot points. She emphasizes the need for Bryce to balance Bryce's internal journey with plot-driven events to maintain reader connection.

Bryce's Further Clarifications ([43:59] - [51:07]):
Responding to feedback, Bryce explains Peter's background and motivations, aiming to justify his actions within the narrative context. He underscores the generational traits of his characters, balancing risk aversion with adventurous spirit.

Carly's Final Remarks ([44:46] - [50:44]):
Carly remains critical yet supportive, challenging Bryce to deepen Peter's character beyond his interactions with Georgie. She stresses the necessity for independent character motivations to enhance believability and reader investment.

Character Development and Plot Causality Discussion

Throughout the episode, Carly and CeCe delve into the intricacies of crafting believable characters and ensuring plot elements logically follow one another. They stress the importance of:

• Causality: "Satellite plot points need to have a cause-and-effect relationship to maintain narrative flow." ([08:58])
• Character Agency: "Characters should make active choices that drive the story forward, rather than passively reacting to events."
• Emotional Stakes: "Understanding and conveying the emotional motivations behind characters' actions is crucial for reader connection."

Target Audience and Genre Clarification

A significant portion of the discussion centers on defining the target audience and clarifying the novel's genre:

• Audience Specificity: "Identify whether your book appeals to romance fans, adventure enthusiasts, or literary readers to tailor the query effectively." ([21:22])
• Genre Precision: "Explicitly naming the genre, such as 'adventure romance,' can help in positioning the book within the market." ([07:25])

Carly advises Bryce to hone in on specific elements like travel and backpacker lifestyles to distinguish his novel in a crowded market, ensuring it resonates with a well-defined readership.

Notable Quotes

• Carly Waters on Redundancy in Query:
  "You stated 'debut adult fiction novel'; simplifying to either 'debut novel' or 'debut fiction' would suffice." ([06:15])

• CeCe Lira on Character Development:
  "It's important to develop characters independently to ensure they are believable and relatable to readers."

• Carly Waters on Character Agency:
  "Characters should make active choices that drive the story forward, rather than passively reacting to events." ([07:25])

• On Emotional Stakes in Adventure Romance:
  "We need to know the consequences. Like, what if one of them gets hurt. That's the heart of adventure romance." ([08:20])

• Carly's Final Critique on Protagonist Development:
  "If you don't believe your character's actions, your readers won't either." ([50:44])

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Carly and CeCe wrapping up their in-depth critique session with Bryce. They offer encouragement for Bryce to refine his query letter and opening pages, emphasizing the need for clear character motivations and logical plot progression. Listeners are reminded of upcoming Beta Reader Matchup opportunities and encouraged to engage with the podcast's community resources for further support.

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Beta Reader Matchup:
  Sign up by August 31st to be matched with peers in your genre for mutual critiques. Visit Biancamarae.com for more information.

• Subscription and Support:
  Rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts, share with writing friends, and subscribe to the Substack newsletter at theshitaboutwriting.substack.com for bonus content.

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the process of refining query letters and opening pages, providing emerging writers with actionable insights to enhance their manuscripts' marketability and reader engagement.