I e-met the amazing Bianca Marais when I reached out to her about being on a panel with me at Podfest in Orlando in January. Bianca, who is the host of the fabulously informative podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, was so lovely and agreed to join the panel.

We connected, though, in other ways. She is the author of several terrific books, and a fabulous novel about witches (which is right up my alley). She teaches the craft of writing, like I do, and is from South Africa, like my husband. Actually, hearing her speak makes me think of our family on the other side of the world in a warm and fuzzy way.

Our conversation is engaging and we cover so many fascinating aspects of writing a novel (which I’m in the painful throes of, by the way). I think you will love hearing Bianca speak as much as I do.

In This Episode

How Bianca writes about different genres [2:45]
Writing a story from many POVs [4:47]
Opening a novel in a compelling way when there are multiple characters [5:26]
The way Bianca included research into her fantasy book [9:02]
Exploring the science of magic [11:08]
The backstory to The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast [18:45]
Bianca’s tips for interviewing and writing [28:11]

Watch on YouTube

 

About Bianca Marais

Bianca Marais is the author of the bestselling The Witches of Moonshyne Manor, as well as the beloved Hum If You Don’t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, as well as the Audible Original, The Prynne Viper. She taught at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies where she was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing in 2021. She’s the co-host of the popular podcast, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, which is aimed at helping emerging writers become published. She now teaches creative writing through the podcast and in her personal capacity. She lives in Toronto with her husband and golden retriever, and she’s furiously working away on finishing her next novel.

Connect with Bianca

Twitter/X:  @BiancaM_author and @TSNOTYAW
Instagram: @Biancamarais_author  and  @the_shit_about_writing
Facebook

Connect with Estelle

Her website: (sign up for her newsletter and receive her pitching guide).
Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: Available wherever books are sold and now a class at NYU.
Adjunct Instructor, NYU (Sign up for her latest classes, including her new NYU class called Writing That Gets Noticed, now appplicable for a journalism certificate)
Substack (craft tips, editor information, writing opportunities, early announcements and for paid subscribers special Freelance Writing Direct extended videos).
Instagram
X (formerly Twitter)
Threads
Blue Sky

New Interviews

• Speaking with master interviewer Ronit Plank for Let’s Talk Memoir was a pleasure in this episode: Writing That Gets Noticed Featuring Estelle Erasmus
• Know Your True Self Podcast: Writing That Gets Noticed with Estelle Erasmus
• I loved speaking about my experiences working in publishing, and sharing craft advice with Bill Kenower for Author2Author.
• I also liked the video interview with Bill Kenower here for Author Magazine.
• I was also interviewed for the podcast Writers’ Voices: Estelle Erasmus Gives Great Advice in Writing That Gets Noticed

Writing

Don’t miss my latest substack issue called Forget About “Beautiful” Writing where I offer an extended version of my podcast interview with Amy Jones, Editor-in-chief of Writer’s Digest for paid subscribers.

Freelance Writing Direct just had a birthday and is one year old!

Don’t miss my announcement that Writing That Gets Noticed is now a Journalism Course at NYU for the Journalism Certificate.

Writing That Gets Noticed is in a Gift Guide

Thank you to Carol Cassara for including my book in her gift guide. It really is the perfect holiday gift for the writer or blogger in your life.