Episode Summary: The Polarizing “P” Word

Release Date: December 12, 2024

In this insightful episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, host Bianca Marais teams up with literary agents Carly Waters and CeCe Lira from PS Literary Agency to delve into the intricacies of writing compelling query letters and opening pages. Titled "The Polarizing 'P' Word," this episode centers around their signature segment, Books with Hooks, where they critique and analyze submissions from emerging writers.

Books with Hooks: Query Analysis

1. “Redacted” by Jason Raynal

Timestamp: [01:59]

Summary: Jason Raynal submits his dual-timeline novel, "Redacted," set in 1940s Hollywood and the late 1970s. The story follows Jeremy Mackenzie, a documentary filmmaker striving to uncover the truth behind the murder of actress Madeline Lacroix by her co-star Robert Gray. As Jeremy delves deeper, he uncovers hidden truths about Robert and Madeline’s lives, including their secret marriage and struggles within the Hollywood studio system.

Carly Waters' Feedback:

• Clarity Issues: Carly points out a confusion in the timelines presented in the query. "So, it says 1940s Hollywood in the opening paragraph and then in the next paragraph it says 1970s... I think it sounds like maybe more of it is in the 70s" ([01:59]).

• Hook Enhancement: She suggests refining the hook to focus more on the plot rather than just factual information. "We don't need to use those synopsis techniques in the query letter itself" ([04:06]).

• Character Motivation: Carly emphasizes the need to convey Jeremy's deeper motivations. "Why does Jeremy want to do this career so badly... maybe there could be something there in terms of leading the reader to understand a little bit more about that passion within him" ([04:24]).

CeCe Lira's Contributions:

• Framing Sensitivity: CeCe recommends subtle adjustments to avoid misframing critical themes. "Maybe the line could read, but Robert insists on telling the full story leading to Madeline's death" ([08:35]).

• Structural Insights: She questions the placement of the major dramatic question, suggesting it might emerge earlier in the narrative for better engagement. "I do worry a little bit about the framing... that line could use a little bit of finessing" ([08:35]).

Notable Quotes:

• Bianca highlights the importance of clear stakes: “I always appreciate when an author is able to establish the stakes very early on in the pages” ([10:16]).

• CeCe underscores the necessity of psychological depth: “The job of a point of view isn't to function as lenses in a camera. It's to function as a unique, biased, partial viewpoint” ([29:52]).

Key Takeaways:

• Timeline Clarity: Ensure consistency and clarity when presenting multiple timelines.

• Engaging Hooks: Develop hooks that are plot-driven to captivate agents and readers.

• Deep Character Insight: Provide glimpses into the protagonist’s psyche to create a relatable and compelling character.

2. “Uprooted Word” by Hannah

Timestamp: [22:08]

Summary: Hannah’s debut novel, "Uprooted Word," is a work of women's fiction that explores migration, identity, and personal courage. The story follows Hannah, a 34-year-old navigating an unexpected pregnancy while relocating from Philadelphia to rural Kenya after her husband inherits a house. As she confronts cultural challenges and memories of her mother's abandonment, Hannah becomes involved in creating a Maasai history program, igniting community tensions and personal transformations.

CeCe Lira's Feedback:

• Readability Enhancements: CeCe advises on formatting for better readability. "The title is in all caps and italics. I recommend removing italics" ([24:20]).

• Specificity in Plot: She encourages adding specific plot details to make the story more tangible. “I can't shoot that trailer. I don’t know what that looks like” ([25:24]).

• Character Development: Emphasizes the need for deeper psychological insight to connect the reader with Hannah’s internal struggles. “I want to know why this is happening. I want glimpses” ([29:52]).

Carly Waters' Feedback:

• Timeliness Clarity: Carly questions the temporal setting of the novel to understand its contemporary relevance. “I don't know if this is contemporary. Or historical. And that matters a lot” ([28:16]).

• Movement and Engagement: She highlights the importance of physical movement in the narrative to avoid stagnation. “...there’s just … a lot of body movement... it felt just a little bit still” ([35:43]).

Notable Quotes:

• CeCe highlights the importance of psychological depth: “The protagonist is looking at homes she can't afford online. How does she feel about this habit of hers?” ([29:52]).

• Carly points out the need for dynamic scenes: “I found just a little bit stagnant in terms of my point of view” ([35:43]).

Key Takeaways:

• Detailed Plot Points: Incorporate specific events and actions to make the story vivid and engaging.

• Temporal Setting: Clearly define whether the story is contemporary or historical to set appropriate context.

• Dynamic Prose: Introduce movement and physical actions to keep the narrative lively and prevent stagnation.

Conclusion and Final Advice

Throughout the episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe provide valuable insights for emerging writers:

• Establish Clear Stakes Early: Make sure the main conflicts and motivations are evident from the outset to hook the reader’s interest.

• Balance Fact and Emotion: While conveying essential plot points, interweave the protagonist’s emotional and psychological journey to create a multidimensional narrative.

• Enhance Readability and Engagement: Pay attention to formatting, specificity in plot descriptions, and maintaining a dynamic pace to keep both agents and readers engaged.

Bianca wraps up the episode by encouraging writers to submit their pages for future Books with Hooks segments via their website theshitaboutwriting.com, and hints at upcoming content featuring author interviews and more critique sessions.

Notable End Quotes:

• Bianca motivates writers: “Keep at it. Remember, it just takes one” ([37:49]).

• CeCe emphasizes the importance of psychological depth: “I want to know why this is happening. I want glimpses” ([29:52]).

Key Quotes with Timestamps:

• Carly Waters: "We don't need to use those synopsis techniques in the query letter itself." ([04:06])

• CeCe Lira: "The job of a point of view isn't to function as lenses in a camera. It's to function as a unique, biased, partial viewpoint." ([29:52])

• Bianca Marais: “Keep at it. Remember, it just takes one.” ([37:49])

This episode serves as an invaluable resource for writers aiming to refine their query letters and opening pages, offering actionable feedback and professional perspectives from seasoned literary agents. Whether you're grappling with plot clarity or striving to infuse your narrative with emotional depth, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe provide the guidance needed to elevate your writing to the next level.