Seen on TV: Meredith Schorr on Rom-Coms and Real Life

Paralegal by day, romance novelist by night—Meredith Schorr has mastered the art of balancing a full-time job with writing joyful romantic comedies that readers devour. The author of Seen on TV joins Every Soul Has a Story to discuss her latest book, a story about a woman who romanticizes small-town life based on Hallmark movies and Gilmore Girls, only to discover reality doesn't always match the fantasy. Meredith opens up about dating in New York City (and the anonymity that makes ghosting all too easy), her love of 80s nostalgia, and why she writes characters who are flawed and relatable—because no one has it all together.

She also shares her writing process (timers, sprints, and no internet), how she reads three books at once while blow-drying her hair, and why writing has made her more patient and thick-skinned. If you've ever wondered what goes into crafting a charming rom-com with just the right amount of heat, this conversation is for you.

0:00 - Intro and fall vibes
1:55 - Seen on TV setting and inspiration
3:22 - Small town vs. Hallmark fantasy
6:48 - Truth in fiction and Easter eggs
7:40 - From actress dreams to author
9:57 - Flawed characters are relatable
10:27 - TV obsessions and 80s nostalgia
11:33 - The premise of Seen on TV
13:30 - Dating in New York City
17:34 - Inspiration from television
19:45 - Write what brings you joy
22:07 - Reading ARCs and giving up
25:48 - Finding freedom at 48
27:45 - Balancing it all: writing, reading, working
32:55 - Writing sprints and time-based goals
34:11 - Linear writing and planning
36:28 - How writing changed her
37:42 - Final thoughts

• https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
• Website: daralevan.com3
https://meredithschorr.com/

QUOTES:

"Writing has made me more patient. You can't force 80,000 words to come out. They just don't. They take time."
– Meredith Schorr

"You can feel the author's passion and authenticity within their work. It's hard to fake that."
– Dara Levan