CeCe Lyra

And so it's not like he's just, you know, sitting on the couch or whatever.

You give motion and you give us interiority.

I think I have time for like one or two more questions.

We talk a lot about specificity on the podcast and using real life experiences can add that degree of authenticity.

Please tell me that the Benora story is real.

That has to come from somewhere.

I knew that thing had to exist in the world.

Yeah, no, it was wonderful.

Okay, so last question.

Giving the reader something that they can relate to.

And you had a part with Lally where she talks about how often as, you know, flight attendants, they have to deal with crying passengers.

And that like took me back for the very first time.

I cried on a plane was while I was reading Lily and the Octopus and my Dachshund had just passed away and this poor flight attendant had to like come and check on me and last time was when my mom was sick and I was going to South Africa but I feel like there's so many people who can just relate to that to being in a public space whether it's a plane wherever and just crying and you just can't stop and there's someone you can't stop it you're trying so hard to control yourself and to

Oh, Stephen, we've run out of time.

It is always such a joy to chat with you.

For our listeners, we are linking to Take Me With You on our bookshop.org affiliate page.

If you buy the book there, you support an independent bookstore and the podcast at the same time.

Go out, get the book.

Again, masterclass in comedic writing and emotionality and so many other things.

Thanks for joining us, Stephen.