Podcast Summary: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Episode: How Setting is More Than Just Story Backdrop
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
Guest: Laura Riso, author of The Alchemy of Flowers

Introduction of the Guest

Bianca Murray opens the episode by introducing Laura Riso, a celebrated author known for her debut adult novel, The Alchemy of Flowers, and eleven acclaimed young adult and middle-grade books. Laura’s work has garnered five Colorado Book Awards and been featured on best-of lists from Oprah and the American Library Association. With a rich background in cultural anthropology, Laura brings a unique perspective to her storytelling, drawing from her experiences living in Provence and Oaxaca.

Bianca Murray [02:52]: "It's my pleasure to welcome Laura Riso. Laura, welcome to the show."

Laura Riso expresses her gratitude and excitement for being on the podcast, highlighting the positive impact the show has had on her writing journey.

Laura Riso [02:52]: "It is a dream come true to be here. I have listened to your podcast for five years and it's been such an important part of my journey bringing this book into the world."

Reading the Flap Copy

Bianca shares the synopsis of The Alchemy of Flowers, setting the stage for the ensuing discussion.

Bianca Murray [03:06]: "Exhausted and broken by loss, Eloise takes the chance of a lifetime to answer an ad in her French gardening magazine to fly away from a life in the States and tend to both her shattered heart and the flowers of Paradise..."

Laura’s Query Letter and Agent Search

Laura reads her query letter, detailing her novel and her journey to finding representation.

Laura Riso [05:05]: "Dear Ms. Lyonetti, I noticed your focus on genre-bending book club fiction with elements of suspense, romance, magic, and humor..."

Bianca and cohosts delve into Laura’s decision to seek a new agent despite her existing successful representation in children's literature.

Bianca Murray [07:57]: "Now for our listeners, they're gonna be like, why the heck did Laura have to find an agent this way when she was already published..."

Laura explains her intentional shift to an agent specializing in upmarket adult fiction to better align with her new novel's genre and themes.

Laura Riso [08:19]: "I wanted an agent who knew the industry inside and out and knew that particular niche of the industry... I wanted to set my book up for success as much as possible."

Navigating the Publication Journey

Laura recounts the challenges and strategies involved in querying agents, including sending out queries in batches of twelve to test effectiveness.

Bianca Murray [09:14]: "It's just something to keep in mind as well when you're querying is to really hit exactly what the agent is asking for."

Laura shares her experiences with revise and resubmit, highlighting the patience and perseverance required.

Laura Riso [13:01]: "I had to be patient. I had to wait. I had to deal with some rejection... when we heard back from her and she asked for a revise and resubmit..."

Title Change Discussion

The conversation shifts to the decision to change the book's title from How We Become Flowers to The Alchemy of Flowers.

Laura Riso [14:17]: "We felt like the word alchemy captured that... slightly mysterious, slightly gothic, because there are elements of gothic horror woven throughout."

Bianca and Carly commend Laura’s strategic approach to selecting composers (comps) that align with the agent’s preferences.

Bianca Murray [20:28]: "You could see you had fun with it. And it was just such a calming book to read."

Genre Transition: From Young Adult to Adult Fiction

Laura discusses her deliberate choice to transition to adult fiction to explore deeper themes like infertility and miscarriage, which resonate more profoundly in an adult narrative.

Laura Riso [21:22]: "I have been through infertility and miscarriages and I really felt drawn to explore those topics in a book... second chance type themes were easier to explore in an adult book."

She emphasizes the necessity of adapting her writing style to incorporate more layers of self-awareness and reflection appropriate for adult readers.

Laura Riso [23:14]: "I needed to allow myself to have some more layers of self-awareness and self-reflection... These extra layers made the story come alive."

Setting as a Character

The core discussion revolves around how setting transcends being merely a backdrop, becoming integral to character development and plot progression.

Bianca Murray [26:21]: "Your world building was just so incredible. It was so enchanting."

Laura explains her approach to setting, focusing on multifunctionality—using setting to develop character, foreshadow events, and create atmosphere without hindering narrative pace.

Laura Riso [26:21]: "I try to let it be as multifunctional as possible... building character, foreshadowing, atmosphere."

She shares practical techniques like sketching maps to maintain spatial consistency and integrating movement within the setting to keep the narrative dynamic.

Laura Riso [30:00]: "I actually sketched out a map for myself that was actually to scale so that I could make sure I was consistent with that aspect of the world building."

Integrating Foreign Language in English Narratives

Laura offers advice on seamlessly incorporating foreign language elements without disrupting the reader’s immersion.

Laura Riso [33:58]: "I always make sure I provide enough context clues so that the reader can pretty easily figure it out... I really don't want them being broken out of that flow."

She advocates for brief translations or leveraging cognates to maintain narrative flow, ensuring that language elements enrich rather than distract.

Laura Riso [34:48]: "I'm never translating entire sentences. I think the key is to give your readers the flavor of the language, but make sure that it's not interfering with a smooth reading experience."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Bianca and cohosts commend Laura’s meticulous approach to world-building and her ability to transform personal experiences into compelling fiction. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and intentionality in writing setting as a dynamic element of storytelling.

Bianca Murray [35:04]: "It is lovely to take your passions from life and build on that and work on that."

Laura Riso expresses her appreciation for the insightful conversation, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the podcast.

Laura Riso [35:59]: "Thank you so much, Bianca. This was really wonderful. I appreciate it."

Key Takeaways

• Intentional Agent Selection: Choosing an agent who specializes in your book's genre significantly impacts the success of your manuscript.

• Perseverance in Publishing: The journey to publication can be lengthy and filled with revisions, but persistence and adaptability are crucial.

• Effective World-Building: A well-crafted setting enhances character development, foreshadows events, and drives plot progression without overwhelming the narrative.

• Seamless Language Integration: Incorporating foreign languages requires balance, providing enough context to aid understanding while maintaining narrative flow.

• Authenticity Through Personal Experience: Drawing from personal experiences can add depth and authenticity to your writing, resonating with readers on a meaningful level.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [08:19] Laura Riso: "I wanted to set my book up for success as much as possible."

• [13:01] Laura Riso: "The whole process was about five years from when I first started writing to when the book actually is coming out."

• [14:17] Laura Riso: "We felt like the word alchemy captured that... slightly mysterious, slightly gothic."

• [21:22] Laura Riso: "Second chance type themes were easier to explore in an adult book."

• [26:21] Laura Riso: "I try to let it be as multifunctional as possible... building character, foreshadowing, atmosphere."

• [33:58] Laura Riso: "I always make sure I provide enough context clues so that the reader can pretty easily figure it out."

For aspiring writers seeking to enrich their storytelling through thoughtful setting integration, Laura Riso’s insights offer valuable guidance. Her experience underscores the profound impact that a well-defined setting can have on narrative depth and reader engagement.