On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we chat with Sascha Rothchild about her debut novel, BLOOD SUGAR. Sascha is an Emmy-nominated screenwriter, who has written on and produced lauded shows such as The Carrie Diaries, GLOW, The Bold Type, and The Babysitters Club.** Sascha starts by sharing the real life inspiration for this book that involves a dream about her husband dying and her being accused of murder! (01:16)** Ruby Simon, the protagonist in Blood Sugar, is many things, a murderer being just one of them. Sascha talks about her development of Ruby and why she wanted to create a character that would cause debate. Mission accomplished.  (03:15)** Blood Sugar is a conversation starter. Sascha explains why this is so important to her personally and how creating complicated characters has been a central part of her career. (05:15)** We loved hearing Sascha’s perspective on how the portrayal of the “unlikeable” female protagonist has become more acceptable and the changes she has seen for female television writers over the years. (07:08)** Sascha explains the three elements she gives characters to add dimension and complexity. (10:05)** Sascha discusses how her memoir about divorce, the book that first made Carinn a fan, broke her career wide open. (12:38)** Sascha shares what lessons she learned as an Emmy-nominated TV writer that she infused into her binge-able debut novel. (16:50)** We congratulate Sascha on her new role as showrunner on “To All The Boys I Loved Before” spinoff on Netflix, “Xo, Kitty”. We loved hearing about collaborating with Jenny Han herself. (19:33)** Sascha’s writing career is varied, but she explains how this has all been part of her plan. (21:22)** Kate declares that she and Sascha are kindred spirits, discussing their mutual love of Anne of Green Gables. (24:57)** We discuss astrology and how Sascha feels “very Scorpio.” (27:50)** Carinn and Sascha then bond over their love of yoga and the ways it has changed their lives. (29:22)** We fangirl with Sascha about Glow and how that show is everything we love and want to see on TV! (35:36) ** Sascha shares what she is loving right now in terms of books, TV and movies. (39:46) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.