In this episode of Makin’ Stuff, Bryce Oakley joins us to share her journey from a book-loving kid to an MFA student to a successful sapphic romance author. We explore the importance of authenticity, representation, and humor in Bryce’s writing and life. She digs into the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood with creative work, as well as the value of self-publishing and staying true to one’s voice. Bryce and I then get into what it means to lose a fandom that matters to you, how authors think about events, how they create community, and how to use our privilege and platforms for good. We dive deep into creativity, identity, and why community matters now more than ever.
We also give a couple of sapphic lit hot takes that prove exactly why I couldn’t find a way to start a fight with her.
I hope you enjoy this conversation, and Bryce, as much as I did! It’s a heartfelt banger of an episode.
Find Bryce at her website, Instagram, or being the coolest person you know in the real world.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Bryce Oakley
02:38 The Journey to Writing Sapphic Fiction
05:11 The Impact of MFA Programs on Writing
07:42 The Legitimacy of Romance and Genre
10:38 The DIY Spirit of Queerness in Publishing
13:28 Authenticity in Writing and Representation
15:57 The Artist’s Journey and Societal Expectations
18:47 The Value of Artistic Careers
21:29 Crafting Comedy in Romance
24:11 The Mechanics of Romantic Comedy
26:57 Exploring Dark Humor in Writing
29:36 The Unexpected Choices in Storytelling
32:55 The Art of Perspective in Storytelling
36:01 Crafting Humor Through Narrative Distance
39:29 Navigating Writing as a Parent
45:25 Balancing Identity and Creativity as a Parent
49:31 The Impact of Role Models on Parenting
53:05 Finding Inspiration in Music and Community
56:31 Betrayal of Trust in Art
01:05:20 Responsibility as an Artist
01:10:41 The Importance of Queer Representation
01:12:37 The Value of Happy Endings
01:14:44 Challenging Literary Tropes
01:18:02 Finding Joy in Storytelling
