✨No One Needs to See Your Protagonist Order a Hamburger and Other Insights from Reformed Over-Explainer Christina Clancy✨
Plus, Sarah Chihaya chats with Bianca about the "Life Ruiner" books that influenced her literary memoir; B.K. Borison shares a painless way to build community; a free virtual Q&A with CeCe...and more!
Happy Friday, writing friends!
It’s Valentine’s Day, and because we love you so very much, dearest Shitlets, we’ve got an extra-special issue for you today (it was either that or heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, but we can’t afford to mail out 30,000 of those suckers, so a bonus video and exclusive offer will have to do!). 💝💘
And yes, you read that right: We recently crossed the 30,000 subscriber mark! We’re so grateful to you all for being here—we love what we do, and we couldn’t do it without you (after all, what would be the point?).❤️🤗
This week on the podcast, Bianca interviews Sarah Chihaya about her memoir, the “darkly humourous” Bibliophobia. Bibliophobia explores the profound impact of literature on identity and mental health, reflecting on Sarah’s journey as a reader and her hospitalization following a breakdown. Anyone writing memoir will want to tune in to hear Sarah and Bianca discuss the complexities of navigating personal narratives, the challenges of writing about trauma, and “Life Ruiner” books. Not sure what a Life Ruiner book is? Even if you’ve never called them that, you almost certainly have at least one Life Ruiner book in your past (we’re willing to bet anyone who takes their writing seriously does). Want to know more? Tune in now!
Aspiring memoirists will also want to check out award-winning writer, editor and memoirist Ronit Plank’s upcoming 10-week-long Finding Your Story workshop. With registration limited to just 25 participants, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn how to strengthen plot, explore a variety of memoir structures, deepen your narrative, and more! Check it out below!
Next up is a not-to-be missed video by author Christina Clancy, whose name you likely recognize from her 2022 release Shoulder Season (which was named a Best Book of Summer by Good Morning America, CNN, PopSugar and more!). Christina (whose latest, The Snowbirds, is out now) shares the crushing feedback she received from an author she admired following a workshop—and how, once she finished nursing her wounds, it changed the way she wrote forever. If you’ve ever struggled with deciding which details to put on the page and which to withhold, or have been told you have a tendency to over-explain things, Christina’s tips are not to be missed!
All you pantsers out there will enjoy (translation: find validation in!) this week’s Q&A with USA Today bestselling author of cozy, contemporary romances, B.K. Borison. Whether you plot or not, her favourite piece of writing advice is one that’s always good to be reminded of. And if you happen to be one of those writers who’d rather stay locked away with your keyboard, or, say, who trembles fearfully at the thought of asking for blurbs, her explanation of how she built a strong and supportive writing network is invaluable—and so simple that we swear there’s no reason to be scared to try it!
Last, but certainly not least, we have an unmissable opportunity to share, and it’s open to our newsletter subscribers only! Join the fabulous CeCe this weekend for a free Ask Me Anything (details below. Check it out )!
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading! ❤️
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Team
P.S. Still not sure about upgrading to paid? Check out our Tuesday Teaser below to see what you’re missing!
This Week’s Podcast✨🎙️✨
In today’s author interview, Bianca chats with Sarah Chihaya about her memoir, Bibliophobia.
The discussion delves into the significance of 'life-ruiner' books, the transition from academic writing to memoir, the role of humor as a defense mechanism, and whether that helps or hinders storytelling.
Take a listen here or watch it on YouTube!
“Why should reading always have to generate something useful, whether it be heartwarming inspiration, or ideal or liberal subjects? I want to think of reading not as productivity, but as a kind of produce, something that grows in whatever unpredictable way it will, sometimes smooth and beautiful and delicious, sometimes bitter and gnarled and thorny.”
-Sarah Chihaya
You can purchase Bibliophobia on our Bookshop.org affiliate page here. Buying books through this link supports a local indie bookstore, as well as The Shit No One Tells You About Writing 📚❤️
Christina Clancy and the Feedback that Changed Her Writing Forever
Do you have a tendency to over-explain? Like, if you were at a party and someone asked how you and another guest first met, would you begin the origin story of your eight-year-long friendship in 2001? (Editor’s note: Nothing to see here. Just an oddly specific anecdote that I am absolutely, definitely, not the IRL protagonist of).
Anyway…
In today’s video, Christina Clancy (Shoulder Season) discusses how a workshop with author Rick Moody (Garden State, The Ice Storm) influenced the course of her journey as a writer, sharing the strategies she now employes when writing and editing to curb her urge to over-explain. We love this kind of concrete, actionable advice, and think you will too!
Christina Clancy was born in Denver and raised in Milwaukee. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and worked at IBM before returning to school to earn a PhD in creative writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After graduating, she taught English at Beloit College for a decade before turning to writing full time.
She lives in Madison with her very tall husband in their 1916 prairie-style house and she “snowbirds” in Palm Springs as much as she can. She has two grown children who live in Chicago and New York City, and she has a little white dog named Bunny who loves everyone. She’s a super smeller who can’t stand cilantro, a frequent flyer junkie, a terrible cook, a former cycling instructor, and an avid reader who wishes everyone would read on airplanes. She loves to practice yoga and barre, swim, travel, write, teach, visit book clubs, and join other writers in conversation.
You can purchase The Snowbirds on our Bookshop.org affiliate page here. 📚❤️
Q&A with B.K. Borison
USA Today bestselling author B.K. Borison writes cozy, contemporary romances featuring emotionally vulnerable characters and swoon-worthy settings. When she’s not daydreaming about fictional characters doing fictional things, she’s at home with her family, more than likely buying books she doesn’t have room for.
TSNOTYAW: Do you have a go-to mantra or pep talk for the days when writing feels hard?
B.K. Borison: I usually tell myself to do what I can, and to give myself a break. I'm pretty ambitious in the daily goals I set for myself, and I'm trying to learn to give myself more room.
Were you ever close to giving up on writing and, if so, what stopped you?
Writing has always been the thing that I do for myself. I haven't been close to giving it up because it's too entwined with who I am and how I take care of myself. I have certainly shelved projects and have had doubts about my career, but ending writing has never been a consideration.
What would you say you’ve done right to build a strong and supportive writing network?
When I read a book that really resonates with me, I always reach out to the author. You get a really strong sense of who a person is from their work. I've been able to craft a strong network around me just by complimenting other writers, wanting to learn about their experiences, and being open to growth.
What one piece of advice (craft- or publishing industry-related) has always resonated with you?
You can fix anything after the first draft. Sometimes I need to tell myself to just push through, and worry about fine tuning later.
How do you ensure you have enough time to write amidst so many obligations competing for your time?
When I figure it out, I will let you know. I have two small children competing for my attention at home, so choosing to write is exactly that. A choice. I often write when everyone else is asleep. Or sneaking away into my office when no one notices.
What's one writing "rule" or commonly followed piece of advice that you decidedly break?
I am not an outliner. I've tried it, but I feel like it zaps all the creativity out of the story. I feel like I'm writing towards a checklist, instead of following the characters.
What is the most challenging part of being a successful author? And how do you mitigate its effects?
I think the most challenging part are the expectations. You want to keep writing books that your readers are invested in. There have been a couple of times when I've let that feeling get the best of me. But I do my best work when I'm writing for myself, so I always try to turn inward and write the things I feel called to.
Writer’s block: myth or unfortunate reality? If you experience it, how do you overcome it?
Oh, yes. Very much an unfortunate reality. I find I hit it when I'm spreading myself too thin. I either try to push through, or stop and read things that inspire me. A break is usually what I need.
How important do you think it is for writers to be on social media?
I think it's a great place to build community, both with other writers and with your readers. Holding boundaries is important, though. And making sure you keep to spaces you're welcome.
What do you wish you had known about writing before you published your debut?
It's okay to take your time to get it right.
Do you have any regrets about your journey so far? Do you wish you had done anything differently?
This entire journey has been such a whirlwind. I never expected my books would reach the places they have. Writing has always been a deeply personal journey for me. To see my stories resonate with so many has been so rewarding. I wouldn't have done a single thing differently.
You can purchase First-Time Caller on our Bookshop.org affiliate page here. 📚❤️
Memoir Writing Workshop: Finding Your Story with Ronit Plank
Duration: 10 weeks
Date: March 12-May
Location: Online
Time: 6:00-9:00 pm PT
It caps at 25 students and registration is open now. Click below!
Tuesday Teaser 😉
We’ve got so much great stuff for you in next week’s newsletter exclusively for our paid members we don’t even know where to begin!
Want to know the best way to make sparks fly off the page between the characters in your romance? We’ve got a video for that! Award-winning and bestselling romance novelist Jane Costello (whose It’s Getting Hot In Here comes out next week) shares her tips on obstacles (they’re not all created equal!), tropes and more!
Our essay next Tuesday is by debut author Sophie Madeline Dess, (What You Make of Me). Sharp, funny, and packed with the kind of insight that makes us want to say, “Get out of my head,” Sophie has so many insightful, funny, and quotable lines we don’t even pick know which ones to share with you. Guess you’ll just have to read the whole thing and see for yourself. 🤷🏽♀️
We’ve also got a Q&A with Jennifer Probst (To Sicily with Love). Jennifer shares a piece of advice that’s succinct and brilliant in its simplicity, as well as helpful advice on publishing contracts and some encouraging words for anyone who’s ever wrestled with writer’s block and thought about throwing in the towel.
Not yet a member? For just $8USD a month or $80USD a year you get:
an exclusive newsletter on Tuesdays featuring bonus author Q&As and other exclusive content from industry experts
access to Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra’s written notes on queries from the podcast’s Books With Hooks feature
monthly bonus podcast episodes, AND
regular Ask Me Anythings / Q&As with Carly, CeCe, and Bianca Marais.
If that doesn’t kickstart your writing journey, we don’t know what will!
Unmissable Opportunity Alert!!!
We know you’d love the chance to pick CeCe’s brain on all things related to agent life, publishing trends, querying, writing craft and more, so we’re very excited to share that CeCe will be doing a live Ask Me Anything on February 16th! Full deets below:
Date: February 16, 2025
Time: 12:30pm Eastern Time
Duration: 1 hour
Registration: No registration is required, BUT there is a cap on attendees and participation is on a first-come-first-serve basis
This is a live, cozy Q&A session in which attendees will have the option of turning on their camera (totally optional, though! )A recording will be available to newsletter subscribers only for a limited time following the event.
If you’d like to join, just click the link below this coming Sunday at 12:30!
The Great Beta Reader Match Up is Back…and Better Than Ever! 🐉🧚🏼♂️💘
Are you looking for beta readers, some of whom might potentially become writing group members down the line?
Are you wanting to be matched up with those writing in a similar genre and time zone, so they can critique your work as you critique theirs at the same time? (And is your genre by any chance romantasy? If yes, you’re in luck—due to popular demand, Bianca’s added it as a genre to the match up!)
Your manuscript doesn't have to be complete to sign up for this 3000 word evaluation.
Registration for this particular match up is open from now until March 2nd, with the match up emails going out March 3rd .
For more information and to register, click below!
And spread the word! The more writers we have signed up, the better the matches will be!
That’s all for this week’s news! If you enjoyed it, why not share the love? 🥰
Tune in again next week for more invaluable wisdom from our wonderful hosts! Until then, happy writing! 😍
❤️ The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Team
Our work takes place on land now known as Toronto and Ottawa and we acknowledge that these are the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples as well as the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. Toronto is covered under Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. We respect and affirm the inherent and Treaty Rights of all Indigenous Peoples across this land and acknowledge the historical oppression of lands, cultures, languages, and the original Peoples in what we now know as Canada. We invite you to learn more about the land you inhabit, the history of that land, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together at Native Land or Whose Land.
Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work in this newsletter is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and CeCe in this newsletter are solely that of themselves and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.
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