Podcast Summary: "Replacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet Novels"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
- Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
- Guest: Lydia Hilzer, Croatian novelist and certified book coach
- Episode Title: Replacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet Novels
- Release Date: July 3, 2025
Introduction and Guest Reintroduction
Bianca Marais opens the episode by welcoming returning guest Lydia Hilzer, highlighting her achievements as a Croatian novelist and book coach. Lydia discusses her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea, and her background, including a decade-long career as an attorney before transitioning to writing and book coaching.
[00:57] Bianca Marais: "Hi, Lydia, welcome back to the show."
Lydia Hilzer provides a brief recap of her previous appearance, where she shared a genre guide distinguishing various fiction categories.
Cover Art Story
Bianca showcases the cover of Slanting Towards the Sea, emphasizing its significance and Lydia's involvement in its selection process.
[01:59] Lydia Hilzer: "I saw this painting on Instagram before my book even went on sub... It ended up being the cover from the get-go."
Lydia narrates the serendipitous connection with the artist from Croatia, culminating in a meaningful in-person meeting.
Literary Citizenship and Community Support
Bianca commends Lydia for her exemplary literary citizenship, noting her consistent support during podcast fundraisers and her proactive assistance within the writing community.
[04:11] Bianca Marais: "Lydia is one of the very first people to step up and offer her help... Thank you for your excellent literary citizenship."
Improving Writing Through Critique
The conversation shifts to the importance of critiquing others' work as a pathway to enhancing one's writing skills. Lydia attributes her growth as a writer to her experience in editing and coaching, which allowed her to objectively identify strengths and weaknesses in various narratives.
[05:47] Lydia Hilzer: "When you edit other people's novels, you have the ability to maintain the perspective of being outside the novel... It's harder to have that high level view of your own work."
Lydia’s Journey to Publication
Bianca inquires about Lydia's querying process and the rapid success she experienced despite previous rejections. Lydia explains her effective querying strategy, leading to multiple agent interest and ultimately securing her current agent swiftly.
[11:11] Lydia Hilzer: "Within two weeks I got the first offer and then two more offers before I decided on my NOW agent."
Reading the Query Letter
Lydia reads her meticulously crafted query letter, showcasing her ability to balance vibes, themes, and plot succinctly. Her letter effectively captures the essence of her novel, blending emotional depth with a strong sense of place.
[12:13] Lydia Hilzer: "Dear Ms. Walters, I'm submitting to you for your consideration, Slanting Towards the Sea, a work of literary fiction..."
Analyzing the Opening of the Novel
Bianca and Lydia delve into the novel's opening scene, highlighting its emotional depth and the use of "curiosity seeds" to engage readers despite the quiet nature of the narrative. Lydia emphasizes the significance of line-level writing in immersing readers and conveying character emotions effectively.
[20:32] Lydia Hilzer: "Sometimes I stalk my ex-husband. I open his socials and sift through his photos... It's for her."
Replacing Plot with Emotion
The core of the discussion revolves around crafting quiet novels by prioritizing emotionality over traditional plot structures. Lydia advises writers to focus on authentic emotional experiences and realizations that keep readers invested.
[24:41] Lydia Hilzer: "In crafting literary novels, when they're quiet novels, what you're not doing with plot, you need to do with emotion."
Deepening Character Emotionality
Bianca probes into Lydia's method for developing deep emotional connections with characters. Lydia shares that her protagonist, Ivona, inherently possesses a rich emotional makeup, allowing her to write with genuine emotion without forcing it.
[27:19] Lydia Hilzer: "The trick with writing emotionality and getting into that emotion is writing with truth... I would just try to sink into her mental state and just speak with truth."
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Bianca wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of emotional depth in quiet novels and praising Lydia's approach to writing and community involvement. She encourages listeners to support Lydia's novel through their affiliated bookstore link.
[29:24] Bianca Marais: "If you've enjoyed this interview, go back and find the other one in which Lydia and I discuss genre. That was another epic conversation."
Lydia Hilzer expresses her gratitude for being featured on the podcast, and Bianca concludes the episode with motivational remarks for aspiring writers.
Key Takeaways
- Emotional Over Plot: In quiet novels, replacing traditional plot structures with deep emotional exploration can engage readers effectively.
- Importance of Critique: Critiquing others' work is instrumental in honing one's writing skills and gaining objective perspectives.
- Authentic Emotionality: Writing characters with genuine emotions, without forcing reader reactions, fosters relatability and depth.
- Literary Citizenship: Active participation and support within the writing community enhance personal growth and collective success.
- Effective Querying: A well-crafted query letter that balances themes, vibes, and plot can attract multiple agents swiftly.
Notable Quotes
- Bianca Marais: "Remember, it just takes one." [29:24]
- Lydia Hilzer: "The trick with writing emotionality and getting into that emotion is writing with truth." [27:19]
- Bianca Marais: "One giant curiosity seed... which is exactly what you want." [23:20]
Support the Podcast and Featured Authors:
- Purchase Slanting Towards the Sea via Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the podcast.
Join the Conversation:
- For more insights on genre distinctions, listen to Lydia's previous appearance discussing her genre guide.
This summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and those who haven't tuned in.