Episode 39: Sarahlyn Bruck

Sarahlyn Bruck, award-winning author of Designer You, and Daytime Drama.

Key Topics: The inspiration behind her latest release, Daytime Drama, why she chose multiple points of view to tell the story, writing advice, and recommended Philly authors.

Interview Notes:

Sarahlyn Bruck introduces us to her newest novel, just released this week - DAYTIME DRAMA, which follows her award-winning debut, DESIGNER YOU.

Her new novel tells the story of Calliope Hart, a daytime soap opera star, and single mom to a tween son, who loses her job when her soap is canceled.

Sarahlyn shares how her inspiration came from a moment of discovering a friend’s neighbor is a soap opera actress, and I praise her for creating such a relatable main character.

What changed during editing? Like many authors, Sarahlyn had to cut out backstory to avoid “info-dumping”, including a scene that explained the relationship between Calliope and her ex.

We chat about her choice to tell the novel from multiple points of view; Callie and her mom and her son and her boyfriend, and ex- and how this has the reader rooting for all of the characters.

Her writing advice (Sarahlyn is actually a writing instructor!),  is to learn from the famous Ira Glass quote – that often our taste is above our ability and it can feel defeating and discouraging. So keep going because eventually your ability will catch up to your taste. 

Reading wise, some great recommendations of fellow Philadelphia authors; SUCH A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid. Another favorite author is Elizabeth LaBan who has so many great books and Sarahlyn shared her latest BESIDE HERSELF. Kelly Simmons is an author whose books are just fantastic- deep and dark and delicious. Her newest release is NOT MY BOY.