Digest

Sarah J. Maas, the acclaimed author of bestselling fantasy series, joins Alex Cooper on "Call Her Daddy" to share insights into her creative process. She details the challenges of writing on deadline while balancing family life, her unique methods of finding inspiration through music, and the importance of emotional connection with her characters. Maas also discusses her writing environment, fan interactions, and the impact of her work on readers. The conversation delves into the development of strong female characters, the controversial inclusion of sex and romance in her novels, and her personal journey through traumatic pregnancy and childbirth experiences, which heavily influenced her writing. Maas further opens up about her struggles with mental health, highlighting how therapy and writing became crucial tools for healing and processing her experiences. The discussion touches upon the complexities of character relationships, particularly Rhysand and Tamlin, and the author's approach to writing redemption arcs. Finally, Maas reflects on her definition of success, her literary legacy, and her unconventional approach to releasing new books, emphasizing her commitment to her fans and authentic storytelling.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Author Spotlight

Alex Cooper welcomes bestselling author Sarah J. Maas to "Call Her Daddy," acknowledging the immense fan anticipation. Maas is introduced as a highly successful author, with a spoiler warning issued for those who haven't read her books.

00:02:07

The Writing Process: Deadlines, Inspiration, and Environment

Sarah J. Maas shares the realities of writing on deadline while managing family life, her use of music playlists for inspiration, and her ideal writing setup that fosters emotional connection with characters. She also describes her desk decor and snack habits.

00:06:18

Fan Interactions and Celebrity Encounters

Maas discusses how fans express the significance of her books in their lives, often leading to emotional moments. She also shares an anecdote about a memorable encounter with celebrity fan Margot Robbie.

00:09:06

Adapting "A Court of Thorns and Roses" and AI-Generated Worlds

The potential "A Court of Thorns and Roses" TV series is discussed, with Maas emphasizing her desire for creative control. She also reacts to AI-generated fan art and the challenges of casting characters like Rhysand.

00:12:09

Early Writing Journey and Discovering Fantasy

Maas recounts her teenage years, including a phase of disliking reading due to school books, and her discovery of fantasy novels in middle school, which ignited her passion for writing her own stories.

00:14:55

From "Throne of Glass" to Publishing Challenges

Maas reveals she began writing "Throne of Glass" at 16 and found solace in writing during a difficult high school experience. She discusses the challenges of getting published and facing skepticism from her parents.

00:20:23

Creative Writing Education and Interconnected Worlds

Maas reflects on a discouraging MFA program interview and her college creative writing major. She explains how her multiple series converge due to early writing and downtime, allowing for interconnected world-building.

00:24:14

World-Building, Mental Mapping, and Reliving Scenes

Maas clarifies that her intricate world-building exists in her mind, supported by notebooks. She describes the mental shift required for writing and how she revisits her books through music that inspired specific scenes.

00:25:34

Foresight, Cosmic Connections, and Strong Female Characters

Maas discusses her ability to write foreshadowing lines and experience seemingly cosmic plot alignments. Alex praises her for creating strong, independent female characters in fantasy, noting their liberating impact.

00:27:09

Character Evolution and Unapologetic Femininity

Maas analyzes Aelin's character arc as a mirror of her own growth. She emphasizes her commitment to writing unapologetically angry and flawed female characters like Aelin and Manon.

00:30:51

Addressing "Smut" and Sex as a Plot Device

Maas addresses the perception of her work as merely "smut," arguing that while she enjoys writing steamy scenes, her fans connect with deeper emotional journeys. She defends the inclusion of sex as integral to character development and plot.

00:33:21

Liberating Female Characters and Reader Impact

Maas highlights how her female characters empower readers, offering an escape and challenging the dismissal of her work. She expresses frustration over the tendency to dismiss things that bring women joy, defending the inclusion of sex and pleasure.

00:35:13

Realism, Female Experiences, and Taboo Topics

Maas argues for realistic portrayals of life, including sexuality, in fiction, challenging Victorian mindsets. She discusses her desire to include realistic female experiences, like menstruation, in fantasy.

00:37:10

Personal Trauma and Pregnancy in Writing

Maas explains how Feyre's pregnancy storyline in "A Court of Silver Flames" was a way to process her own traumatic pregnancy and birth experiences, detailing the fear and lack of control involved.

00:46:52

Mental Health Struggles and Therapeutic Writing

Maas reveals that "A Court of Silver Flames" was written during a period of severe mental health struggles, including panic attacks. Therapy became life-saving, and she discusses how her books have mirrored her mental health journey.

00:49:10

Overcoming Darkness and Finding Balance

Maas describes reaching a dark place in 2019, leading her to seek therapy and medication. She explains how Nesta's struggles mirrored her own during therapy, and emphasizes the importance of female friendships.

00:53:28

Shared Experiences, Success Pressure, and Resilience

Alex and Sarah connect over shared experiences, particularly concerning women's health and taboo topics. They discuss the pressure of success and Sarah's realization that her value extends beyond her book achievements.

00:56:14

Childhood Dreams and Romantic Dynamics

Maas reveals her childhood dream of being a marine biologist and discusses her fascination with the "push and pull" dynamic in romance, which influences her character relationships.

00:59:12

Character Development: Unplanned Romance and Naming

Maas recounts how Rhysand's character emerged unexpectedly, shifting the planned romance. She confirms that the sexiness of a character's name is crucial and discusses pronunciation freedom.

01:04:43

Relationship Dynamics and Redemption Arcs

The complexities of Tamlin and Rhysand's relationships with Feyre are explored, focusing on Tamlin's controlling tendencies and Rhysand's coping mechanisms. The difficulty of writing Tamlin's redemption arc is also discussed.

01:09:20

Autonomy, Communication, and Romantic Moments

The importance of autonomy and partnership in Rhysand and Feyre's relationship is highlighted. Fan criticism of Rhysand's communication during Feyre's pregnancy is addressed, and Starfall is identified as their most romantic moment.

01:15:01

Mates, Bonds, and Family Reactions

The concept of "mates" is explained, along with Elaine's rejection of a mating bond. Maas shares humorous anecdotes about her family reading her books and their reactions to explicit scenes.

01:19:31

Wild Reader Interactions and Upcoming Books

Maas recounts a surprising interaction with a mother whose daughter's sex life was influenced by her books. She clarifies details about the next ACOTAR book and its unconventional release strategy.

01:29:12

Writing Authentically and Overcoming Writer's Block

Maas discusses her decision to deviate from traditional publishing rules to honor her fans and tell stories authentically. She describes the challenges of returning to the ACOTAR series, differentiating it from typical writer's block.

01:31:44

Rapid Fire Q&A and Character Fates

A rapid-fire Q&A session covers various character fates and plot points, with Maas offering cryptic or playful responses, hinting at future content.

01:33:46

Defining Success and Legacy

Success is defined as the freedom to tell stories authentically and maintaining personal happiness and balance. Maas reflects on her literary legacy, emphasizing her initial dream of simply having one book published.

Keywords

Q&A

• What inspired Sarah J. Maas's writing, particularly her early fantasy novels?

  Sarah J. Maas discovered fantasy novels in middle school, enjoying adult fairy tales, which sparked her desire to write her own adventures. She began writing "Throne of Glass" at 16 during an "emo Lord of the Rings phase."

• How does Sarah J. Maas balance her writing career with her personal life and family?

  Maas often writes on deadline while juggling childcare, humorously describing her husband's naps while she works. She emphasizes the need for emotional connection to her characters, sometimes leading to intense emotional responses while writing in her personal space.

• What are Sarah J. Maas's thoughts on the inclusion of sex and romance in fantasy literature, and how does she address criticism?

  Maas defends the inclusion of steamy scenes and romance, arguing they are integral to character development and plot, not just "smut." She highlights that fans connect with the deeper emotional journeys and empowering themes, not solely the sexual content.

• Can you explain Sarah J. Maas's personal experiences with pregnancy and childbirth that influenced her writing?

  Maas shares deeply personal and traumatic experiences with pregnancy and childbirth, including medical issues and emotional distress. These experiences directly influenced her portrayal of characters like Feyre in "A Court of Silver Flames," allowing her to process her own journey.

• How has Sarah J. Maas navigated mental health struggles, and how did this impact her writing process?

  Maas reveals that her books, particularly "A Court of Silver Flames," mirrored her own mental health journey, including severe panic attacks. Therapy and medication were crucial in her recovery, enabling her to write from a healthier emotional space.

• What is Sarah J. Maas's perspective on creating strong, complex female characters in fantasy?

  Maas intentionally creates strong, independent female characters who are unapologetic, make mistakes, and don't conform to traditional expectations. She aims to reflect realistic female experiences and empower readers through these characters.

• How does the author approach writing redemption arcs for characters like Tamlin, considering the impact on readers?

  The author acknowledges the difficulty and sensitivity of writing redemption arcs for characters like Tamlin, especially when readers connect his actions to their own experiences with abuse. Any future portrayal would prioritize authenticity, respect for readers' experiences, and genuine character development.

• What is the significance of the "mating bond" in the book's universe?

  The mating bond represents a deep, destined connection between individuals, often described as finding the missing piece of one's soul. However, it's complicated by a biological component that doesn't always align with true love, leading to complex relationships and exploring themes of free will.

• How does the author respond to criticism about female characters sacrificing their powers while male characters do not?

  The author believes that the books celebrate women coming into their power, and that losing magic does not equate to losing strength. She argues that true power lies within, and that characters like Nesta and Aelin demonstrate resilience and heroism regardless of their magical abilities.

• What is the author's definition of success in her career?

  Success is defined by two key aspects: the freedom to tell the stories she wants, when and how she wants, and maintaining personal happiness and balance in her life. This includes being a present mother and wife, finding joy outside of her work, and feeling fulfilled.

• Can you explain the unconventional release strategy for the upcoming ACOTAR books?

  The author is releasing a very large book in four parts, with the first part coming out in October and parts two and three combined in January. This approach allows the story to unfold naturally without being constrained by traditional book lengths, offering readers a continuous narrative experience.

Show Notes