Write Where It Hurts

This week on Write Where it Hurts is dedicated to character arcs, from how to write side characters (and know when to cut them) to managing arcs and honoring each character’s unique voice. Eva brings us back to Lord of the Rings and Katryn calls out a very specific Jaws scene that inspires her character interactions.

Sources:

• Read Atmosphere!

• Watch The ‘Burbs!

• Watch Alysa Liu’s joyful gold medal skate!
  Pre-order I’M GONNA GET YOU BACK!

The time has come to dive into the submission process (cue terrified shrieks) on Write Where it Hurts, from the nuts and bolts of sub strategy, responses, and acquisition, to how we handle it all without melting into devastated puddles. Eva celebrates some BIG news, and Katryn has an embarrassment of metaphors for going on sub.

Sources:

• Celebrate with us! Eva’s book, I’m Gonna Get You Back, is a JLG Gold Standard selection!
• We talk a little about the current market and editors being stretched thin. Read a real editor’s take on why ghosting might happen when it comes to submission.
• Katryn talks about the hidden and heroic efforts of editorial and marketing teams that happens behind the scenes-here’s her source from PR professional Kathleen SchmidtKeep an eye on Kristin Dwyer’s page if you’re interested in the popular “Breaking the Story” retreat
  Watch this only if you want to see an ICE agent humiliated repeatedly

This week, Eva and Katryn revisit the very first episode of Write Where it Hurts with new wisdom–from royalty statements, to book bans, to the case of the vanishing midlist. Eva reminds us all of Ron Burgundy’s definition of diversity (“an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era”), Katryn pitches cereal book merch, and both find a metaphor in publishing as Hexxus from Ferngully.

Sources:

• Pre-Order Eva’s upcoming book, I’m Gonna Get You Back!

• Check out Katryn’s new series on Substack (and subscribe)

• Read Jackie Khalilieh’s books!

• That Anchorman diversity clip

• This is who Brazzos is if you don’t watch Only Murders in the Building (yet)

• Tim Curry as Hexxus in Ferngully needs no introduction, but here it is all the same…

After a long hiatus, Eva and Katryn are back this week to discuss taking a beat and rethinking the mission statement of Write Where it Hurts. Katryn soft-launches her Lord of the Rings character maps, and Eva talks about shifting her feedback tactics and being the proud mom of a (criminally cute) Doodle. 

Sources:

• Are you going to LoveLitCon? Eva is going to be there as a LoveLitCon author!

• Katryn can’t get this song out of her head this week and if you hate ICE as much as we all do, you might need it too.

• Pre-order I’M GONNA GET YOU BACK today! 

Katryn talks Lord of the Rings inspired character beats using maps of Middle Earth as her guide

This week, Eva and Katryn get real about self-esteem crashes after publishing, from the forever wait for good news to drop into your inbox, to that feeling of having to beg people to read your book in self-promo. Katryn has a new Lord of the Rings-inspired verb for your consideration, and Eva turns into a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man for reasons of EMOTION.

*On hiatus until late summer/early fall!*

Content/Spoiler Warnings: TW for discussion of body dysmorphia and disordered eating (non-graphic, brief)

Sources:

• Eva discusses the exciting news that Penguin formed Berkeley XO, a new imprint dedicated to crossover audiences in YA and New Adult!

• A new verb was born! Denethored is in our forever vocab.

• Two of our listeners, JR Cathers and Maggie Rapier, have new books to celebrate! JR’s buzzy Romantasy, Child of Shivay, is coming out in October, and Maggie’s Soulgazer is out now and a USA Today bestseller!!

• Also, please don’t hesitate to DM us if you have good news to celebrate!

• Follow Eva and Katryn on Substack for more big publishing feels (especially Eva right now for REASONS!)

Eva and Katryn dive into character arcs this week, from craft inspirations to the similarities between building our characters and parenting them. Eva reveals her new book title (YAY!) and Katryn unveils a Lord of the Rings-inspired story cartography process for character arcs. Martin Short is also discussed, because why the hell not?

Content/Spoiler Warnings: CW for mention of JKR’s transphobia

Sources:

• Katryn discusses a troubling trend she’s noticing in this episode and her substack.

• Eva and Katryn both recommend Susan Dennard’s craft writing--check out Susan’s Substack!

• Eva has recently learned about James Scott Bell’s Write Your Novel From the Middle

• Katryn discusses her own reasons for not writing characters from outside her racial background, but please read author and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, Dhonielle Clayton’s words on this, because it gets the point across without nearly as much ambient mumbling and word repetition.

• When it comes to redemption arcs, PLEASE pick up Tae Keller’s Jennifer Chan is Not Alone

• Read Becky Albertalli’s Amelia, If Only, Brynne Weaver’s Butcher and Blackbird, Geneva Rose’s The Perfect Marriage
  

This week, Eva and Katryn talk about social media pitfalls for authors, getting back to fangirling over craft, and BookCon’s return. Eva talks about her surprise spiritual connection to Love Island, and Katryn has conspiracy theories about Regina George and the algorithm.

Content/Spoiler Warnings: Kate discusses The Bear season 3 so if you haven't caught up before the next season, skip that portion. She also discusses mild tease spoilers about Hacks and Starstruck (HBO).

Sources:

• Subscribe to Katryn’s multi part series about authors and social media

• We talked about a lot of shows this week, here's where to find them- Love Island USA (Peacock), The Bear (Hulu), Hacks (HBO), Starstruck (HBO)

• We discuss an older episode called Vulturing the Trunk, dedicated to reviving old shelved manuscripts. If you missed it, catch the episode HERE
• BookCon is coming back next year!
• Read Stephanie Lucianovic’s books!  
• Newer studies point to evidence that shows kids are using debunked practices to learn to read.
  

This week, Eva and Katryn discuss the ways in which we undervalue ourselves in publishing, and how getting feedback can cause tunnel vision for only the negative points. Eva revels in the second (or possibly fifth) chance romance she’s having with her upcoming book, and Katryn can only be healed by the Elon/Musk breakup - remember, that thing that happened two weeks ago, but now feels like two hundred years?

Sources:

• We discussed that man who had to apologize to Oprah and his flourishing career (why)
• If you’re a fan of fantasy, romance, and everything in between, follow Katryn’s sister, Maren Lane and her thriving book blog!
• Yes, we made merch. Thanks, AJ Davage! 
• Katryn discusses additional Pride fuckery in her article on Substack. Follow her there!
• Also, follow Eva on Substack!

This week Eva and Katryn tackle the myth of fairness in publishing, and the sisyphean task of wading through market changes at the querying stage. Eva rethings her stance on a much maligned character in Sex and the City and Katryn can’t move past her anger at many things–chief among them: Isaac Higgentooth: Colonial Vampire.

Sources:

• Check out Eva’s German release for I Wish You Would (in Germany, titled “The Summer We Kissed”) and stay tuned to her account for a book announcement coming soon!

• We discuss the internet’s inability to believe that Sarah Jessica Parker can read two books a day, although it’s less about SJP and more about being done with spending our time on these useless discourse asides.

• Weep for the “unsung men” in publishing. Or don’t. We’re not.

• Watch Roy Wood Jr. if you want to increase your serotonin levels. Start with Father Figure, on Netflix.

• For inspiring middle grade feels, follow Lauren Magaziner (and check out her new queer fantasy MG book, The Incorruptibles!)

• Listen to Ben’s favorite band, 4Town. 😜

This week, Eva and Katryn discuss recapturing their pre-publishing creativity, parasocial expectations in online spaces, a new troubling AI survey, and building a sub list with your agent. Eva makes her way back to elite athlete status, and Katryn dives headfirst into The Pitt.

Sources:

• Did those of you who watched The Pitt happen to notice that McKay is played by Fiona Dourif and HER DAD IS PLAYED BY BRAD DOURIF? Learn Brad Dourif’s name!
• Watch Eva’s IG reflection on one year after the release of I Wish You Would
• Katryn had a blast at the Ukiah Book Fair with authors Michael Leali, Lisa Moore Ramee, Misa Sugiura, Nicole Chen, and Karen McCoy.
• Bookbub’s new survey about AI has us wondering: if AI users don’t want to do the writing part of writing, why do they want to be writers at all? This is really troubling stuff and continues to erase creative artists across every art field.
  

CW/TW: We talk about AI in this episode, and recognize it’s an exhausting topic for many who have been tirelessly fighting the erasure of artists and the theft of our creative work. For those who have been diving in headfirst, we salute you!