In this episode of Read the Damn Book, author Sarah Damoff joins host Michelle to discuss her latest novel, The Burning Side. Together, they explore powerful themes of family dynamics, generational trauma, love, grief, and the lasting impact of personal history. Sarah shares the inspiration behind the novel, how her own life experiences shaped the story, and her approach to writing emotionally resonant multi-generational fiction. Listeners will also get an inside look at her creative process, character development, and the art of crafting deeply human stories that connect with readers long after the final page.

What We're Talking About...

• Themes of family, love, grief, and generational trauma in The Burning Side
• Sarah Damoff on the inspiration behind her emotionally layered literary fiction
• The writing process behind crafting compelling multi-generational family stories
• How personal experiences and real-life relationships shape authentic storytelling
• Why storytelling is a powerful tool for exploring human emotion and connection
• The role of fiction in uncovering deeper human truths and shared experiences
• Character development and creating emotionally resonant contemporary fiction
• Insights into writing literary fiction that connects deeply with readers

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating a New Release

04:06 Exploring The Burning Side

07:28 The Evolution of Love

11:30 Personal Inspirations Behind the Story

16:00 Transitioning from Social Work to Writing

19:45 The Art of Writing and Storytelling

22:04 The Writing Process and Drafting

24:26 Creating Authentic Characters

29:27 Addressing Foster Care in Literature

Links Mentioned

Order your copy of The Burning Side: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Burning-Side/Sarah-Damoff/9781668085011

Sara Damoff's website: https://www.sarahdamoff.com/