Sarah Echavarre Smith

Sarah Echavarre Smith is a copywriter-turned-author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She is the author of Faker, Simmer Down, and On Location.

Twitter: @authorsarahs

Instagram: @AuthorSarahS

What’s the oddest thing a reader has ever asked you?

Dating and relationship advice! Every once in a while I’ll have a reader DM me on social media asking me for advice on a relationship or dating issue they’re going through. It always throws me since I’m in no way qualified to give anyone dating or relationship advice haha….even though I’m so flattered and think it’s so sweet anyone would go to me for advice!

Favorite non-reading activity?

Hiking! I’m fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest, and I love hiking around the mountains whenever I need a break from writing or just want to clear my head. Going on hiking trips is one of my favorite things to do.  My hiking trip to southern Utah a few years ago actually helped inspire the plot for On Location!

Is your go to comfort food sweet or savory? Is it something you make yourself? Does food inspire your writing?

Both! My favorite comfort food would be anything with carbs. I’m almost always craving carbs, both sweet and savory. And yes, I love cooking pasta, it’s my go-to dinner a lot of nights. Food absolutely inspires my writing. It’s such a huge part of my life, and I grew up with so many amazing cooks in my family, especially my mom. Cooking food was the way she showed my siblings and I that she loved us. I’ve incorporated a lot of Filipino recipes from her and her family in my books.

Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome?

ALL THE TIME. It’s a constant struggle, trying to maintain my confidence in an industry as unpredictable as publishing. Some days I feel happy with what I’ve accomplished and some days I feel a million miles behind everyone else. I felt really embarrassed about it until I started talking to my author friends and realized everyone struggles with this. So every time that feeling creeps up on me, I try to remind myself that it’ll pass and I just need to focus on the fact that I get to write kissing books for a living.

Is there another profession you would like to try?

I think it would be fun to work in a cat cafe. That combines my two biggest loves: carbs (sooo many yummy pastries!) and cats haha.