Daily Inspiration: Meet Sarra Sedghi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarra Sedghi.

Hi Sarra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I dualed in English and magazine journalism at UGA and graduated in 2014 — then I went back and graduated with my master’s in narrative nonfiction in 2017. I’ve been working with national and regional publications for about 11 years now. Last year, I returned to Atlanta after five years in Birmingham to focus on restaurant and food writing. I’m a full-time freelancer right now and the dining reporter at Rough Draft Atlanta, a hyperlocal publication. I don’t think any writers have one set niche anymore — I’ve also written about art, home cooking, local businesses, design, mental health, and pets, and love stories where I can cross genres. I like writing about people best and believe there’s a human interest angle in every story.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The industry itself is an obstacle. One of media’s ugly truths is that you can be unique and talented and still replaceable, especially if you think outside the box or challenge outdated ideas. People on the outside don’t realize that above all, it’s a business. And when you don’t fit in with, say, a corporate environment or monitored outlet, it can be extremely isolating. Atlanta’s writers are very interconnected but there’s always an unaddressed sense of competition.

I’m neurodivergent and I think a lot of people in this industry aren’t exactly comfortable with easily excited people who think differently. I constantly feel pressured to “be less,” and it upsets me because my brain is a strength as well as a weakness. There are parts of my ADHD, especially my heightened emotional sensitivity, that make me a better writer and reporter. It all depends on how you look at it. So I’m always trying to flip those more negative viewpoints.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well, I just mentioned this, but I can expand — I’m able to take my “flaws” and use them to get deeper into a story. My mind goes very quickly, so I can come up with questions and switch directions in the middle of an interview — I actually don’t have to prepare questions anymore and am proud of that. My mind chatter allows me to consider other angles or questions that others often miss, or I can use my hypersensitivity to pick up on nuances. I see patterns and symbols everywhere, and it helps me predict trends sometimes years in advance. I think I’m also great at capturing emotion and feeling and establishing trust. I don’t like to just skim the surface — everyone else already does that anyway. It makes me an over thinker, sure, but it also means I’m thoughtful.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think it’s a combination of my mind and experience. Sure, some people probably see me as this weirdo who takes things way too seriously, but I like to hope and think that my writing cuts to the core. I’m always analyzing and injecting feelings into my words. I’m a lot because I care, and the editors I work with are cool with that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sarrasedghi.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarrasegway
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarra-sedghi-10221a5a