Behind-the Scenes: Sarah J Mass Draws Inspiration from Son's Turbulent Birth

Sarah J. Maas recently revealed exciting news about two upcoming books in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series during an interview on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast. Alongside this announcement, Maas also shared rare insights into her personal life.

Family and Personal Struggles

Maas, who is 40 years old, has been married to Josh Wasserman since 2010. The couple has two children together, son Taran born in June 2018, and daughter Sloane born in February 2022. During the podcast episode released on March 4, Maas opened up about her family life and mental health challenges, which have influenced her writing.

Personal Pregnancy Journey

Reflecting on her pregnancy experiences, Maas revealed that she found the process traumatic, particularly concerning weight gain restrictions imposed on her. She expressed how this overshadowed the joy of pregnancy, leading her to focus on food intake rather than the growing life within her.

Maas also shared how her own emergency C-section and recovery inspired scenes in her work, notably in the ACOTAR series. She detailed the fears and challenges she faced during that time, which later found expression in her writing.

Mental Health and Writing

Maas candidly discussed how her mental health struggles influenced her book series, including A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass. She revealed that her books often mirrored her personal journey, even before she fully recognized her own mental health issues.

After experiencing panic attacks following her return from maternity leave in 2018, Maas sought therapy to cope with her escalating anxiety. She credits therapy with helping her navigate a particularly dark period and emphasized how her writing process served as a form of catharsis during challenging times.