Podcast Summary: The Challenges of Writing in the First Person

Episode: The Challenges of Writing in the First Person
Release Date: November 28, 2024
Podcast: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra

Introduction

In this insightful episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, host Bianca Marais, alongside literary agents Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, delve deep into the intricacies of writing in the first person. Tailored for emerging writers striving to enhance their craft and navigate the publishing landscape, this episode emphasizes the nuances and challenges inherent in first-person narratives, particularly in memoirs and fiction.

Books with Hooks: Query Letter Critiques

The episode features the beloved segment "Books with Hooks," where the cohosts critique submitted query letters and opening pages. This segment serves as a practical exploration of crafting compelling narratives in the first person.

1. Critique of a Memoir Query Letter ("118,000 Words" by Michel)

Carly Waters reads the query letter at [02:14].

Key Points & Critiques:

• Word Count and Typos ([04:44]):

  • Carly: “This one came in at 420 words. I'm gonna say it because we have to point this out. You misspelled Carli. You wrote Carla, which is another name...”
  • Emphasizes the importance of meticulous proofreading to avoid minor yet impactful errors.

• Narrative Clarity and Causality ([04:44] - [11:09]):

  • Carly: “You are highlighting elements of the plot instead of creating a very carefully connected story...”
  • Critiques the lack of a clear cause-and-effect relationship in the narrative, making the memoir feel disjointed.
  • Suggests restructuring the query to demonstrate how events are interconnected, ensuring a cohesive storyline.

• Maintaining Unique Elements ([08:13] - [12:22]):

  • Bianca: “I love the line between Jesus Christ and Prince Charming...”
  • CeCe: Advises reserving distinctive lines for marketing rather than the query letter.
  • Emphasizes preserving unique voice and memorable phrases while ensuring they serve the narrative purpose.

• Voice and Psychological Acuity ([13:29] - [17:48]):

  • Carly: “I do not know what I gave birth to monsters in my dreams means...”
  • Highlights the necessity of conveying the protagonist's internal state and psychological depth.
  • Encourages incorporating the protagonist's evolving consciousness to mirror successful memoirs like Educated and The Glass Castle.

• Balancing Technicalities with Emotional Depth ([17:48] - [29:32]):

  • CeCe: “There was so much that was summary of different events...”
  • Advises staying "in scene" to maintain immersion and avoid pulling the reader out of the narrative with excessive summarization.
  • Recommends layering world-building with emotional and psychological elements to create a rich, first-person perspective.

Notable Quote:

Carly Waters [04:44]: “But you are not Lena Dunham. I'm saying this with love, and it just won't work in terms of, like, actual comps that an agent can use when submitting your plot paragraph.”

2. Critique of a YA Steampunk Query Letter ("Victoria" by Isabel Houden)

Carly Waters presents the second query letter at [18:59].

Key Points & Critiques:

• Genre-Specific Comps and Clarity ([22:48] - [24:59]):

  • CeCe: “Neither of these are in your genre, which is a bit of a question mark for me...”
  • Advises ensuring comparable titles accurately reflect the genre to assist agents in contextualizing the work.

• Narrative Structure and Element Integration ([24:59] - [29:53]):

  • Carly: “You're giving me disjointed plot points...”
  • Highlights the issue of listing elements (e.g., bionic hand, AI trained typewriter) without demonstrating their integration into a cohesive narrative.
  • Encourages showcasing how unique elements drive the plot forward and enhance character development.

• Emotional and Interiority Layering ([29:23] - [29:53]):

  • Carly: “You are doing a really good job at the world building, but it's not layered with emotionality and interiority...”
  • Stresses the importance of intertwining world-building with the protagonist's emotional journey to create a compelling first-person narrative.

Notable Quote:

Carly Waters [25:03]: “The query letter should not be a list of elements. The query letter should be a compelling promise of a story.”

Challenges of Writing in the First Person

Throughout the critiques, the cohosts underscore the complexities of first-person narration, especially in memoirs and rich genres like steampunk fiction. Key challenges highlighted include:

• Voice Authenticity: Capturing the genuine voice and evolving consciousness of the protagonist to engage readers effectively.

• Causality and Cohesion: Ensuring events are interconnected, demonstrating clear cause-and-effect to maintain narrative flow and believability.

• Balancing External Elements with Internal Depth: Integrating world-building elements seamlessly with the protagonist's emotional and psychological landscape to avoid a disjointed narrative.

• Technical Precision: Maintaining impeccable grammar, spelling, and structure to present a polished and professional query that reflects the writer's capability.

Notable Insight:

Carly Waters [13:29]: “It is so important in any book, especially a memoir... your query letter needs to show me that you can bring things together in a way that feels really braided in, organic and intentional, because compelling.”

Conclusion

This episode serves as a valuable guide for writers aiming to master first-person narratives. By dissecting real query letters, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe provide actionable feedback and highlight the delicate balance between storytelling and technical execution. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of how to craft compelling first-person narratives that resonate emotionally while maintaining structural integrity.

Whether you're penning a memoir or delving into the imaginative realms of steampunk fiction, the insights shared in this episode equip you with the knowledge to overcome the inherent challenges of first-person writing. Tune in to transform your narrative approach and elevate your writing journey.

For more episodes and resources, visit theshitaboutwriting.com.