Podcast Title: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Waters, and CeCe Lira
Episode: June Bonus Episode
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Welcome and Introduction
Bianca Marais kicks off the episode by introducing two esteemed guests: Lucy Foley, a bestselling author renowned for her contemporary murder mystery thrillers, and Dr. Courtney Tracy, a prominent psychotherapist and mental health advocate. The episode promises deep dives into the nuances of writing, publishing, and leveraging personal experiences to craft compelling narratives.
Interview with Lucy Foley
Genre Transition: From Historical Fiction to Thriller
- Bianca Marais (01:28) begins by inquiring about Lucy Foley's shift from historical fiction to the thriller genre, highlighting her debut with The Hunting Party.
- Lucy Foley (01:47) explains that the transition was more organic than tactical. Inspired by her experiences in the Scottish Highlands, she found herself captivated by the potential of setting a murder mystery in a remote location, leading her to secretly develop the idea alongside her historical projects.
The Power of Setting in Storytelling
- Bianca (04:07) praises Lucy's atmospheric settings, noting their integral role beyond mere backdrops.
- Lucy (04:07) elaborates on her inspiration drawn from vivid places like Corsica, the Italian Riviera, and Istanbul. She emphasizes that setting acts as another character, influencing and shaping the narrative and character development.
- Bianca (06:09) reinforces the idea that settings should inform the story and character arcs, not just serve as passive environments.
From Editor to Author: Overcoming Challenges
- Bianca (08:03) draws parallels between editors transitioning to authors, questioning if Lucy faced similar anxieties.
- Lucy (08:33) shares her experience of writing in secrecy despite her editorial background. She discusses the importance of adhering to traditional submission processes and the invaluable insights gained from being on the editing side, which informed her writing discipline and appreciation for the editor-author relationship.
Crafting Prologues and Opening Chapters
- Bianca (10:57) shifts the conversation to Lucy's approach to prologues, praising her subtle and engaging technique.
- Lucy (13:57) describes her prologue for Midnight Feast, highlighting its role in setting up mysterious elements without overwhelming the reader.
- Bianca (14:07) and Lucy (16:47) discuss the balance between adhering to writing rules and breaking them strategically to maintain reader intrigue and engagement.
Structuring the Narrative: Flash Forwards and Subplots
- Bianca (22:55) commends the non-linear structure of Midnight Feast, utilizing flash forwards to keep readers attentive and investigative.
- Lucy (22:55) explains that this technique keeps readers on their toes, encouraging them to piece together the puzzle alongside the narrative.
Unreliable Narrators and Reader Engagement
- Bianca (26:13) praises Lucy's use of unreliable narrators to create tension and keep readers invested.
- Lucy (26:40) delves into the psychology behind unreliable narrators, emphasizing the delicate balance between making readers feel clever without alienating them.
Cliffhanger Chapters and Scene Dynamics
- Bianca (20:18) and Lucy (21:31) discuss the importance of cliffhangers in maintaining suspense. Lucy shares her editing process of trimming scenes to leave readers eager for more, ensuring each chapter ends on a high note of intrigue.
Interview with Dr. Courtney Tracy
Journey to Authorship: From Therapy to Book Writing
- Bianca Marais introduces Dr. Courtney Tracy (30:58), highlighting her accomplishments as a psychotherapist and content creator.
- CeCe Lira (31:06) welcomes Dr. Tracy, setting the stage for a discussion on her path to writing a book.
Inspiration and Early Writing Experiences
- Dr. Courtney Tracy (31:39) reminisces about her childhood immersion in books like War and Peace and Edgar Allan Poe's works, which fueled her passion for storytelling and truth-telling.
- She shares how her platform's growth organically led to publisher interest, eventually sparking her decision to write a book.
Navigating the Publishing Process Without an Agent
- CeCe Lira (35:25) discusses Dr. Tracy's initial reluctance to hire an agent and her challenges with drafting an effective book proposal.
- Dr. Tracy (37:09) recounts her difficult experience with a ghostwriter, ultimately choosing to pen her book herself to maintain authenticity and personal connection with her audience.
Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity in Writing
- CeCe Lira (43:07) highlights the transformative experience Dr. Tracy had while writing her book, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability.
- Dr. Tracy (45:27) elaborates on the emotional challenges of writing about personal trauma and the healing process it facilitated.
Balancing Expertise with Storytelling
- Bianca (53:42) and CeCe (55:44) explore how Dr. Tracy integrates her professional expertise with heartfelt storytelling to create an engaging and authentic narrative.
Advice to Aspiring Authors
-
Dr. Tracy (60:17) offers two key pieces of advice:
- Be Vulnerable: Share your true story and emotions to connect deeply with readers.
- Your Story Matters: Regardless of commercial success, writing from the heart is what truly counts.
-
CeCe (62:56) reinforces the idea that authenticity in storytelling transcends genre and format, urging writers to prioritize emotional truth over superficial success.
Key Takeaways and Notable Quotes
-
On Genre Transition:
Lucy Foley (01:47): “I was meant to actually be writing that [historical fiction] and I just couldn’t stop thinking about this murder mystery idea.” -
On the Significance of Setting:
Lucy Foley (07:59): “I think of it like another character in the book. It’s another character that’s influencing all the other characters around.” -
On Overcoming Writing Challenges:
Lucy Foley (08:33): “I also very much didn’t want to use any kind of professional connections. So I wanted to go through the proper route.” -
On Crafting Prologues:
Lucy Foley (14:07): “I wanted to pose a question to my reader right at the outset.” -
On Unreliable Narrators:
Lucy Foley (26:40): “There are different versions of unreliability. There are the characters that are aware that they’re lying and there are the characters that are maybe telling their version of the truth.” -
On Writing with Authenticity:
Dr. Courtney Tracy (60:17): “Write the truth and don’t hold back.” -
On Storytelling and Emotion:
CeCe Lira (59:52): “It's all intricately connected, too.”
Conclusion
The June Bonus Episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing offers a treasure trove of insights from both Lucy Foley and Dr. Courtney Tracy. Lucy delves into the intricacies of genre shifting, the pivotal role of setting, and the delicate art of maintaining suspense through narrative techniques. Meanwhile, Dr. Tracy shares her poignant journey of authenticity in writing, emphasizing the healing power of vulnerability and the paramount importance of telling one's true story.
For aspiring writers, this episode underscores the significance of staying true to one's voice, embracing vulnerability, and understanding that the essence of storytelling lies in emotional truth rather than mere plot mechanics. Whether you're crafting a thriller or a therapeutic guide, the lessons imparted by Lucy and Courtney serve as invaluable guideposts on the path to impactful writing.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Lucy Foley (16:47): “...every scene is like a little mini three-act structure going on.”
- Bianca Marais (18:03): “...leaf on mood Sinatra alongside cinematic techniques.”
- Dr. Courtney Tracy (45:27): “...the effort to tell your story and to not let that effort go is the thing you will look back on and be most proud of.”
Stay Connected: For more insights and resources, visit Bookshop.org and support independent bookstores while enjoying rich content from The Shit No One Tells You About Writing.
Note: This summary captures all essential discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the June Bonus Episode to provide a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the full episode.