All about the novel Recipe for Confidence
Who is Samantha Picaro?
Samantha is the author of funny, heartfelt YA. The themes of her books are family, friendship, and chasing your dreams. Each book will focus on the main character’s specific goal, like how the protagonist tries to prevent a cafe from closing in Limitless Roads Cafe.
Her Master’s in Social Work inspired herto finally write books incorporating her #ActuallyAutistic identity. It also inspired her to work in the nonprofit sector.
Writing credits include the article “We Need More Autistic Women in the Media” on the website for Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, of which she is a member. Although she didn’t declare a Minor in English or Writing, she took many writing courses in undergraduate school including Poetry and Creative Writing.
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What is Recipe for Confidence about?
Bryn Caputo dreams of being a graphic designer. The problem? She is not confident enough in her abilities to tell her parents or friends despite wanting to major in it after graduation. She seeks honest feedback by using her skills to help her peers as well as her aunt’s bakery, which specializes in Setback Cakes. Setback Cakes encourage accepting setbacks and not giving up, further motivating Bryn to chase her dreams.
There are plenty of setbacks Bryn has to overcome, such as past mistakes in the past that contributed to her lack of self-assurance and her overprotective parents. Juggling her job at the bakery, school, and graphic design projects is a challenge but gives her a sense of purpose she has never felt before. As the Setback Cakes face backlash and her secrecy threatens her personal relationships, Bryn is more determined to seek approval and hone her skills. But she discovers that the most important approval must come from within.
Interview
What was your inspiration for Bryn Caputo’s Recipe for Confidence?
I struggle with insecurity and there are many times I’ve felt like a quote un-quote “failure” and I’ve always felt behind my peers. I’m working on not comparing myself to others and sticking to my own definition of success and progress. I want readers to come to those realizations if they haven’t already, and to accept setbacks as a part of growth.
What drew you to writing?
I like creating stories, especially stories I don’t see. Writing is a response to lack of stories you want to see more of.
How did you choose which character to centre the story around?
Bryn Caputo is partially based on my experiences and interests.
What was your process for writing Bryn Caputo’s Recipe for Confidence?
I researched how bakeries function and what graphic designers do. I drew inspiration from some of the graphic design I do for social media to promote my book. I am a plotter, so I can’t just write the book as I go along. I admit I don’t write a couple thousand or hundred words per day like authors are often advised to do but when I get going with writing, I get going with writing.
What is your approach to world and character building?
I outline them, like everything, and make the character realistic, not perfect, even if they sometimes come across as unlikeable. World building isn’t too hard since I write in the Contemporary genre; it’d be a different story if I wrote Fantasy. Haha. I base my world and my characters on what I’ve observed in my life and where I’ve grown up, or what I wish I saw more of; for example, a bakery selling cakes that celebrate setbacks like I wrote for the book.
How would you describe Bryn Caputo’s Recipe for Confidence in five words?
Baking, design, setbacks, secrets, family
Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?
I’ll try not to give too many spoilers. There is a scene where Bryn’s mom purchases a cake to celebrate a setback in the past that really impacted their family.
What was your favourite book growing up?
I had too many favorites but I can say one of my favorite series was Junie B. Jones
Do you have a favourite genre to read?
Young Adult, no doubt. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too old for it
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