Sara Zarr

Discover Sara Zarr’s journey as an acclaimed American author—her biography, major works, themes, writing approach, and memorable quotes that resonate deeply.

Introduction

Sara Zarr (born October 3, 1970) is an American writer best known for her emotionally honest young adult novels.

Early Life and Background

Sara Zarr was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and spent her childhood in San Francisco, California.

Raised in a Christian context—specifically in a church associated with the Jesus Movement—faith and spiritual questions have informed much of her writing, though her books are generally accessible to broad audiences without assuming religious belief.

In 2000, Zarr moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she has since made her home with her husband.

Writing Career & Major Works

Breakthrough: Story of a Girl (2007)

Zarr’s debut novel, Story of a Girl, was published in 2007 and was a National Book Award finalist in the Young People’s Literature category. This novel introduced her as a writer unafraid to tackle complex themes—shame, redemption, identity—within realistic adolescent settings.

Before achieving publication, Zarr wrote multiple manuscripts that were never published. Her persistence paid off after she won a Utah Arts Council prize for the best unpublished YA novel in 2003, which helped her secure an agent.

Subsequent Novels & Evolution

Over the years, Zarr has published several novels and works branching into adjacent forms:

• Sweethearts (2008)

• Once Was Lost (2009) (also published under the title What We Lost)

• How to Save a Life (2011)

• The Lucy Variations (2013)

• Roomies (2013, co-written with Tara Altebrando)

• Gem & Dixie (2017) — a novel loosely informed by some of her own life experiences.

• A Song Called Home (2022)

• Kyra, Just for Today (2024)

She has also published nonfiction works on creativity (e.g. Courageous Creativity) and maintains the long-running This Creative Life podcast, where she discusses writing process and artistic life.

In 2010, Zarr served as a judge for the National Book Awards.

Themes, Style & Writing Approach

Realism, Emotional Honesty & Complexity

Zarr’s writing is often praised for its emotional realism—her characters wrestle with pain, identity, family dysfunction, faith, and the messy transitions of life. character and small moments over intricate plotting. As she once said:

“I’m not really a plot writer — I’m more interested in the characters and sort of small events that propel the story forward.”

Her books often begin and end in settings that feel familiar, but transformed—showing how the characters change over time yet remain rooted in their origins.

She also acknowledges that she was self-taught as a writer: “I was a ‘learn by doing’ writer — I never took any formal writing classes.”

Faith & Ambiguity

Because of her religious upbringing, spiritual or faith questions sometimes appear in her narratives (especially in Once Was Lost). But she aims to present them without didactic tone—her goal is reflection, not preaching.

Persistence, Rejection & Growth

Zarr has openly discussed the years of rejection she endured before Story of a Girl was published—writing, failing, revising, and trying again over nearly a decade. Her journey underscores persistence as a hallmark of many authors’ lives.

Awards & Recognition

• Story of a Girl — National Book Award finalist, 2007

• Utah Book Awards (multiple wins)

• Once Was Lost — Utah Book Award winner, INSPY Award winner

• Gem & Dixie — PEN Los Angeles Literary Prize finalist

Her novels have also appeared on various “best of” lists by the American Library Association, Kirkus, the New York Public Library, and international reading associations.

Notable Quotes

Here are a selection of impactful quotes from Sara Zarr:

• “The one reader I’m trying to please as I write is me, and I’m pretty difficult to please.”

• “Your greatest creation is your creative life. It’s all in your hands. Rejection can’t take it away …”

• “There are certain people who come into your life, and leave a mark … Their place in your heart is tender; a bruise of longing, a pulse of unfinished business.”

• “We never quite conquer a pet vice or a relationship pattern or a communication habit. We’re haunted by our particular demons.”

• “My books usually end where they began. I try to bring characters back to a point that is familiar but different because of the growth that they have gone through.”

• “There were about ten years of trying, failing, trying again … My first published book, ‘Story of a Girl,’ was the fourth book I wrote.”

These quotes reflect common themes in her work: resilience, identity, personal growth, and the lasting effects of relationships.

Lessons & Legacy

1. Embrace the long journey
   Zarr’s persistence through years of rejection offers a reminder that success in creative work often comes after sustained effort and resilience.

2. Character over plot
   Her focus on interiority and how small events shape lives shows the power of emotional realism over sprawling plot mechanics.

3. Blend faith with openness
   Her willingness to include spiritual themes without prescribing answers demonstrates how writers can explore faith questions with nuance.

4. Your creative life is yours
   She emphasizes that the act of creating—regardless of external validation—is foundational.

5. Honesty resonates
   Her novels often draw power from vulnerability, portraying characters who struggle, doubt, and grow in believable ways.

Conclusion

Sara Zarr is a powerful voice in contemporary young adult and literary fiction—a writer whose work balances tenderness, tension, and truth. Her journey from unpublished manuscripts to National Book Award finalist teaches persistence; her stories teach empathy, complexity, and the enduring power of relationships. If you like, I can also produce a chronological timeline of her publications or analyze one of her novels in depth. Would you like me to do that?