Podcast Episode Summary: "The Problem with the Blank Canvas Protagonist"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
• Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
• Episode: The Problem with the Blank Canvas Protagonist
• Release Date: May 1, 2025

1. Episode Overview

In this enlightening episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, host Bianca Marais is joined by literary agents Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency. The trio delves deep into the nuances of crafting compelling protagonists, specifically addressing the pitfalls of creating a "blank canvas" protagonist. Through the Books with Hooks segment, they critique query letters, offering invaluable insights for emerging writers seeking to refine their storytelling and navigate the publishing landscape effectively.

2. Opening Remarks

The episode kicks off with CeCe Lyra introducing her upcoming class on "Writing Emotion and Relationships," highlighting the importance of emotional depth and relational dynamics in storytelling. Bianca then announces the Beta Reader Matchup program and teases an upcoming event for the launch of Bianca's new novel, A Most Puzzling Murder. These segments set the stage for the episode's focus by emphasizing the significance of emotional and relational mastery in writing.

3. Books with Hooks: Query Letter Critiques

a. Critique #1: "The South Shore" by F.A. McPherson

Query Letter Overview: F.A. McPherson submits a query for The South Shore, a 110,000-word coming-of-age novel centered on Terry, a seven-year-old boy navigating life in Lewisport, Nova Scotia. The story explores themes of LGBTQ2S identities, familial dysfunction, and personal growth.

CeCe Lyra’s Feedback (07:26 - 22:40): CeCe commends the author's thoughtful approach, noting, "the author was so thoughtful because he included the word count for us" (07:31). She delves into the distinction between story setup and plot points, emphasizing the importance of clearly delineating the protagonist's journey from pre-existing circumstances to unfolding events.

"You're covering a lot in five pages, like, we're covering multiple days. I think you should slow down." (14:04)

CeCe identifies confusion in the query letter where story setup and plot points blur, making it difficult to pinpoint the inciting incident and climax. She introduces the concept of the "blank canvas protagonist mistake," where the protagonist lacks depth and a sense of pre-existing life beyond the story's beginning.

Carly Watters’ Feedback (11:37 - 22:40): Carly echoes CeCe's sentiments, appreciating the impressive author bio but critiquing the title "South Shore," suggesting it's common and lacks specificity. She stresses the need for the protagonist’s goals and relationships to be more clearly defined.

"I don't think we're starting with, like, a foundational understanding of the relationship between these two characters." (25:30)

Carly underscores the necessity of establishing a strong mother-son relationship, pivotal to the novel's emotional core, and advises making the protagonist’s desires and conflicts more explicit.

b. Critique #2: "Crimps" by Michael Paul Caruso

Query Letter Overview: Michael Paul Caruso presents Crimps, a 100,000-word historical novel set in 1980s Portland, Oregon. The narrative follows Eddie, an aspiring theater producer, as he confronts a gang leader, Bunko Kelly, whose criminal activities threaten his career and loved ones.

Carly Watters’ Feedback (29:03 - 36:49): Carly critiques the title "Crimps," finding it ambiguous and potentially off-putting. She advises aligning the title more closely with the novel's theatrical elements to resonate better with readers and compares it to strong titles like The Cold Millions and Night Watch.

"You have to pick a title that's in communication with the reader or the future reader so that you're creating... this dialogue right from the beginning." (31:11)

Carly also comments on the query's length and complexity, suggesting a more streamlined approach to highlight the protagonist's ambitions and the stakes involved without overwhelming the reader.

CeCe Lyra’s Feedback (36:50 - 48:39): CeCe concurs with Carly’s observations, expressing confusion over plot points and the protagonist’s motivations. She emphasizes the importance of clarity in the query letter to ensure agents understand the protagonist's goals and conflicts.

"I was confused, and I don't want to be confused. I want to be curious." (36:50)

CeCe points out inconsistencies and unclear relationships between characters, recommending revisions to enhance coherence and intrigue.

4. Discussion on the Blank Canvas Protagonist

A central theme of the episode is the "blank canvas protagonist mistake," a trope where the main character lacks depth, history, and internal complexity, rendering them unrelatable and uninteresting. CeCe elaborates on this concept, highlighting the importance of interiority and relational depth to create a protagonist that feels real and compelling.

"Your protagonist should feel like they have existed before the story began." (22:40)

CeCe advises writers to infuse their protagonists with a rich backstory, emotions, and motivations that extend beyond the immediate narrative, ensuring that readers can connect and invest in their journey.

Carly adds to this by emphasizing that a well-developed protagonist enhances the story's energy and momentum, making the narrative more engaging.

"Connection is number one. Because if I'm connected to someone, I'm invested, and if I'm invested, I'm rooting for them." (22:44)

The hosts agree that avoiding the blank canvas mistake involves deliberate character development, showcasing the protagonist's fears, desires, and growth throughout the story.

5. Key Takeaways and Insights

• Character Depth: Develop protagonists with rich backstories and clear motivations to avoid the blank canvas pitfall. Ensure they have emotional and relational complexities that resonate with readers.

• Clear Plot Structure: Distinguish between story setup and plot points in query letters. Clearly outline the inciting incident, escalation, climax, and resolution to provide agents with a coherent understanding of the narrative arc.

• Effective Query Letters: Craft query letters that are concise, specific, and reflective of the novel’s core themes. Avoid overwhelming agents with excessive plot details or ambiguous elements.

• Engaging Titles: Choose titles that communicate the essence of the story and evoke curiosity. Ensure they align with the novel's genre and themes to attract the right audience.

• Interiority and Connection: Utilize interior monologue and relational dynamics to create a connection between the protagonist and the reader. This fosters investment and engagement in the character’s journey.

6. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "You're covering a lot in five pages, like, we're covering multiple days. I think you should slow down." — CeCe Lyra (14:04)

• "I don't think we're starting with, like, a foundational understanding of the relationship between these two characters." — Carly Waters (25:30)

• "Your protagonist should feel like they have existed before the story began." — CeCe Lyra (22:40)

• "Connection is number one. Because if I'm connected to someone, I'm invested, and if I'm invested, I'm rooting for them." — Carly Waters (22:44)

• "I was confused, and I don't want to be confused. I want to be curious." — CeCe Lyra (36:50)

7. Conclusion

"The Problem with the Blank Canvas Protagonist" serves as a crucial guide for writers striving to craft engaging and relatable characters. Through thoughtful critique and expert advice, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe emphasize the necessity of deep character development, clear narrative structure, and effective communication in query letters. By avoiding common pitfalls like the blank canvas protagonist, emerging writers can enhance their storytelling prowess and increase their prospects in the competitive publishing industry.

Additional Resources:

• Books with Hooks Submissions: Writers can submit their query letters at theshitaboutwriting.com under the Books with Hooks tab.
• Upcoming Event: Launch of Bianca Marais's new novel, A Most Puzzling Murder, on June 9th at The Young People's Theater in Toronto.
• Beta Reader Matchup: Open registrations until May 4th at Biancamarae.com, Beta Reader Matchup page.