Marissa chats with Emily J. Taylor about her debut YA fantasy - HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE - as well as writing a "setting-first" book by treating your setting as a character, with its own backstory and personality; using a variety of sources (many unexpected) to inspire unique setting details; digging deeper into your worldbuilding and magic system with every round of revisions; and constantly asking yourself what else you can add that will surprise your readers. We also discuss using your characters' secrets to build romantic tension, and how it's important that your love interests see each other as equals, even when they are on different levels of the social hierarchy; and taking a closer look at your characters' motivations when your story feels like it's gone off-course. Plus, the bonus round uncovers a simple and fun technique for writing dialogue and banter that Marissa will definitely be trying out.\xa0
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.orgFind out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/