Write the Good You Want to Read in the World

Elle Nash on the North star of writing to her taste

Jul 26, 2022

Hello Bleeders!

As I plan my next steps on my WIP memoir-in-essays, I’ve been thinking a lot about the outcomes I want. Is it a Big Five book, or would I be happier going the indie route and maintaining more control? And honestly, I’m leaning toward the latter, perhaps inspired by recent guests on the pod…

The latest episode continues an emerging tradition of highlighting prolific indie lit queens and DIY bad bitches, of which Elle Nash is both.

Elle Nash is the author of Animals Eat Each Other, Nudes, Gag Reflex, and the upcoming novel Deliver Me. Elle has a strong voice and aesthetic that I connote with her writing, and it was fascinating to hear how she developed that alongside her editing chops.

And it turns out we took a LitReactor class together back in 2016? Previous guests Chloe Caldwell, Chelsea Martin, and Amanda McNeil were namedropped — plus Elizabeth Ellen, who keeps coming up, and I’ve realized I need to have her on! This ep is a veritable who’s who of grimy indie chick lit lol.

It’s such an interesting peek into Elle’s creative process as we talk through her body of work, and it’s inspiring to hear how she learned about craft through generative work, one-on-one mentorships, and writing workshops — makes me feel like I’m on the right path. Plus, she shares how she landed the coolest agent ever.

Here’s a lil preview of how she became good at self-editing:

“I did a big editing process. I would make note cards for each chapter, trying to make sense of it — print it out, try and move stuff around in the way that I needed, and then even like editing from backwards to the front, starting with the last chapter and working backwards to make sure that everything made sense, and that kind of thing.”

Where I write:

I'm asking each guest to give us a peek behind the scenes. You are beautiful, Elle Nash — I love this adorable, comfy couch setup!

Episode links:

🏃‍♀️ Follow Elle on Instagram and Twitter @saderotica.

🛒 Order Elle’s latest book, Gag Reflex.

💻 Check out Elle’s website for more on all her work.

🎧 And, of course, pop in those earbuds and listen to Elle Nash on the North Star of Writing to Her Taste on your favorite podcast platform.

📢 I’m currently fundraising for a reporting trip — to cover abortion in post-Roe America — for my other podcast, Private Parts Unknown.

🎧 Here’s a playlist of our previous abortion-related episodes, including the "Men Have Abortions Too" series.

💸 Buy a cool, destigmatizing (actually funny) abortion shirt AND support coverage of this issue, ALL IN ONE PURCHASE! Use code BLEEDERS for 10% off.

📸 If you get a shirt, I want to see it! Post a pic on Twitter or Instagram and tag me. I swear, I will RT so fast.

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Online reading about writing:

“I Did Not Get Anywhere Until I Became a True Literary Citizen” - I love Courtney Maum. I had the chance to consult with her recently, which made me an even bigger fan. This LitHub Q&A on how she gave her writing career some gas is a wonderful read and suggestion for how to make your way graciously.
7 Tips for Writing Novels People Want To Read - This Writer’s Digest article is conversely on theme with today’s big takeaway of write what you want to read — author Rudy Dixon’s #1 AND #2 tips are “Read the genre you write.”
Would You Let AI Help You Finish Your Book? - Josh Dzieza writes about the strange world of high-speed semi-automated genre fiction for The Verge.
A Meditation on Craft and Mortality - This Literary Hub essay got into my bones; Diksha Basu’s morbidly optimist line of thinking is so relatable. Are you even living if you aren’t half-terrified about how you’re spending your time (yet trying to make the best of it)?
Do You Want to Write Your Novel on National Television? - If so, this is your dream come true… or perhaps a nightmare. Kwame Alexander is presenting a new reality show called America’s Next Great Author, on which contestants will enter a writers’ retreat and get 30 days to write a novel while completing in ‘live-wire’ challenges. I aspire to be the Christine from Selling Sunset of this show.