Meet Sara Becker | Comedy Writer & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Becker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve been writing and forcing my sister and friends to perform plays since I was little. Happily, I channeled all that thinking into screenwriting. At one point I seriously considered becoming a human rights lawyer (my hat is off to those brave attorneys) but I was afraid of having a target on my back. Now as a writer, I get a target on every page.

I’m grateful I chose this path. I’m still able to help people, but by making them laugh. Recently, my first comedy book “An Only Nut” was published. It is a coming-of-age story about a lonely bar nut. After a successful e-book launch, it was the #1 bestseller on Apple books for fiction and literature in May, the beautifully illustrated 48-page hardcover version was released in June. “An Only Nut” is available on Amazon and at select independent bookstores throughout Los Angeles. Published by Night-time Stories for Adults, we are excited to form part of the burgeoning genre of short fables for grown-ups.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a comedy writer and an author. When I’m not writing funny short stories like “An Only Nut,” I’m developing half hour comedy series. I also have a rom com that’s looking for a home. I’m known for my spontaneity, which comes to life in my sense of humor and writing. An easy way to think about my style is as a little bit of Monty Python, Mel Brooks, Kristen Wiig/Annie Mumolo, and Amy Sherman-Palladino.

I like to make things happen. Whether that’s directing and producing my own work or finding people to collaborate with. I wasn’t born with a lot of patience so I make the most of it by taking my work as far as I can and having fun with it.

In terms of challenges, I graduated college just in time for a recession, which as you can imagine was a blast. There are always obstacles. I mean, we’re in the middle of a strike. But I love people and so finding humans I connect with has always been a good jumping off point. If we’re both laughing the odds are we’ll stay friends and maybe want to make something together someday.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ooh, fun question. Definitely snacking and people watching at the Melrose Place farmer’s market. We would raid Domingo’s, my favorite Italian deli. They make the most gigantic sandwiches. I love live comedy and music so we’d hit Largo, the Troubadour, The Baked Potato, and Verse to start. It’s LA so there would be hiking as well as a nice walking wander around the hills above Sunset. We would go to the beach, to Ojai, to wine country. Perhaps a meandering drive up and down the coast. Estate sales would be enjoyed and movies would be seen, (in the theater). If there’s more time, we’d go to Palm Springs to swim, sun, and be lounge lizards. Martinis would be enjoyed.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
David Himelfarb. Very luckily, when we moved from NYC to LA, David was one of the first people I was introduced to. He is a former TV industry executive and a legend. Amongst his roles, he was the VP of Comedy at CBS and the Sr. VP of TV at Disney. All that to say he is a brilliantly funny man with priceless stories and invaluable advice. The fact that he found me amusing knocked my socks right off. He read scripts, gave edits, discussed the industry’s ins and outs. He helped me feel that I wasn’t alone and that writing comedy in this completely bonkers industry was possible.

Website: https://www.nighttimestoriesforadults.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NIGHT.TIME.STORIES/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nighttimestoriesforadults/

Other: https://inspectorbecker.com/

Image Credits
Photos by Alex May and Jelani Curtis.