Podcast Summary: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Episode: The Evolution of a Novel (December 18, 2025)

Main Theme

This episode explores the evolution of a novel—from initial drafts through publication—using Gráinne O’Hare’s debut, Thirst Trap, as a case study. The hosts (Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra) and Gráinne discuss character differentiation, group dynamics, stakes in “quieter” novels, authentic dialogue, and the collaborative nature of writing and publishing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Book Introduction and Cover Design

• About the Book:
  Thirst Trap follows Harley, Rocha, and Maggie, friends since childhood, as they navigate late twenties chaos, grief over a lost friend, and the shifting ground of their relationships together.
• Cover Design Process
  • Gráinne shares how her UK editor initiated the cover design by asking for a mood board.
    • Quote: “I could have thought for a thousand years and not come up with the idea of a cigarette and a doll shoe. But [the artist] has this real eye for…combining weird things.” (Gráinne, 04:31)
  • She provided Pinterest references and was pleased with the final distinctive design.
  • Mood boards helped channel the book’s vibe, though Gráinne kept hers digital due to frequent moves.

2. Excerpt Reading (06:44)

• Gráinne reads from the novel’s opening, establishing the blend of humor and poignancy. The excerpt features an attempt to bring a houseplant into a nightclub, underscoring the mix of misadventure and nostalgia that shapes the trio’s friendship.

3. Journey to Publication

• Unconventional Path
  • Gráinne received the Northern Debut Award, leading to mentorship and an agent’s interest after reading her short stories.
  • Quote: “She really enjoyed the stuff that I’d sent and…said, ‘I have a good feeling about this.’” (Gráinne, 10:11)
  • Sent unfinished novel chapters to her agent, who saw potential and encouraged her to finish.
• Editorial Collaboration
  • Gráinne sent a completed draft to her agent, who gave notes; this objective perspective helped her see the work as a whole.

4. Role of Writing Groups

• Found support and accountability in an online writing group post-award, which progressed to an in-person retreat.
• Advice: Critiquing others' work improves your own writing through the need to justify feedback and apply advice to oneself.
  • Quote: “You might need to take your own advice at times as well.” (Gráinne, 13:15)

5. Character Development & Differentiation

• Challenges of an Ensemble Cast
  • Gráinne initially wrote each character in first person for deeper understanding, later switching to third person.
    • Quote: “I was writing each of the different perspectives in the first person…[and] develop[ed] their tone of voice and attitudes.” (Gráinne, 14:56)
  • Emphasized shared group “lore” and memory, while striving for distinct voices.
• Handling Characters Off-Page
  • Lydia, the deceased fourth friend, is made present through flashbacks and daily reminders, not direct scenes.

6. Decisions on Structure and Point of View

• Gráinne’s process involved multiple rewrites, shifting between points of view and focal characters.
  • POV change to third person came relatively late (a year and a half before completing the draft).
• On Choosing Starting Points and Depicting Grief
  • The narrative starts a year after Lydia’s death to “skip past the debilitating part” and focus on lingering grief and group dynamics.
    • Quote: “There’s not an expiry date on grief…it just changes.” (Gráinne, 20:19)
  • She aimed to show characters feeling they “should be past this by now,” balancing outward coping and inward emotion.

7. Subtle Character Arcs

• The novel’s resolution is intentionally realistic rather than transformative.
  • Quote: “It wouldn’t have felt right…to just go, ‘oh, and ta-da, they’re healed now.’ I hope that the ending is a hopeful one.” (Gráinne, 23:11 & 25:17)
• Bianca remarks on the believability and satisfaction of “change without total transformation”—mirroring real life.

8. Crafting High Personal Stakes in a Quiet Novel (27:03)

• Quieter Storyline Tips
  • Gráinne advises writers not to undervalue everyday experiences.
  • “Smaller” moments and interiority must serve the overall narrative and character arcs; avoid endless details without narrative movement.
    • Quote: “Just because you’re writing…slice-of-life stuff…doesn’t necessarily make you immune to questions about momentum or plot arcs.” (Gráinne, 28:18)

9. Writing Authentic, Witty Dialogue

• Gráinne faced initial intimidation transitioning from historical to contemporary fiction.
  • Discovered that “real” dialogue is not always compelling; effective dialogue is believable but stylized for clarity and character.
  • Emphasized using Belfast slang for authenticity.
    • Quote: “I definitely wanted…a lot of Belfast kind of slang because that was something that felt very authentic.” (Gráinne, 31:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cover Art & Mood Boards:
  “I could have thought for a thousand years and not come up with the idea of a cigarette and a doll shoe.” (Gráinne, 04:31)
• On Finding an Agent:
  “I wouldn’t normally offer to represent someone if they haven’t got at least a finished first draft…but I have a good feeling about this.” (Gráinne, 10:11)
• On Group Writing Dynamics:
  “You might need to take your own advice at times as well.” (Gráinne, 13:15)
• On Ensemble Characters:
  “It did help me…write from their point of view and…develop their tone of voice.” (Gráinne, 14:56)
• On Grief & Narrative Starting Point:
  “There’s not an expiry date on grief…or it’s not linear and it doesn’t have an end point.” (Gráinne, 20:19)
• On Character Arc Authenticity:
  “It wouldn’t have felt right…to just go, ‘oh, and ta-da, they’re healed now.’” (Gráinne, 23:11)
• On Quiet Novels:
  “Just because you’re writing…slice-of-life stuff…doesn’t necessarily make you immune to questions about momentum or plot arcs.” (Gráinne, 28:18)
• On Dialogue:
  “I definitely wanted…a lot of Belfast kind of slang because that was something that felt very authentic.” (Gráinne, 31:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|------------| | Guest Intro and Book Description | 01:44-05:16| | Cover Design Discussion | 03:50-05:16| | Mood Boards in Process | 05:16-06:28| | Excerpt Reading from Thirst Trap | 06:44-08:45| | Journey to Publication | 09:09-11:33| | Role of Writing Groups | 12:04-13:46| | Character Development & POV Shifts | 14:47-19:16| | Writing About Grief & Structure Choices | 19:16-21:43| | Subtle vs. Transformative Character Arcs| 21:43-25:41| | Quiet Novels & Raising Stakes | 27:03-29:08| | Writing Authentic Dialogue | 30:12-31:43|

Tone and Takeaways

• The discussion is friendly, insightful, and supportive, with a focus on authenticity in both the protagonist’s experiences and the writing process.
• Gráinne is candid about the iterative, sometimes messy progress of both drafting and publication, offering encouragement for writers navigating similar paths.

For Emerging Writers

• Don’t underestimate the value of detail or everyday stakes.
• Use critique groups for feedback—and to improve your own analytical skills.
• Authenticity in character, dialogue, and tone is crucial, but so is narrative momentum—even in a “quiet” novel.
• Be open to major changes: structure, POV, even genre can shift as the book evolves.

For those seeking a nuanced look at contemporary friendship, grief, and the writing life, this episode (and Gráinne O’Hare’s novel) are must-listens.