Holly Brunnbauer: Putting the Com in Rom Com

A bold debut, a full-circle moment, and the craft of writing funny with heartThis week on Writes4Women, Pam is joined by debut author and former student, Holly Brunnbauer, for a warm, laugh-filled, and insightful conversation about writing her first rom-com What Did I Miss. From school staff rooms and awkward first drafts to awards, agents, and publishing deals, Holly’s journey is one of grit, grace, and great humour.Pam and Holly delve into:The path from blogger to published authorNavigating character arc, emotional depth, and laugh-out-loud momentsWriting strong female leads (and sizzly sex scenes 👀)How a high school sweetheart breakup sparked a brilliant story ideaThe ups and downs of pitching, publishing, and finding the right agentThis ep is not just for rom-com lovers—it’s for any writer wondering whether their words are “good enough” and what can happen when you follow the joy.Timestamps:[00:00] - Introduction and hello from Pam[00:07:10] – From First Writing Teacher to Podcast Guest[00:12:40] – “Always a Bridesmaid” and the Power of Competitions[00:23:40] – The Call from HarperCollins[00:34:30] – Building a Rom-Com with Depth[00:41:45] – The Power of Pettiness (and School Staff Rooms) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writes4women.substack.com/subscribe