Q&A with featured writer C. Elyse
C. Elyse talks about her writing background and her Substack newsletter
Q&As are available to all subscribers, with early access granted to paid subscribers. Access will be granted to free subscribers about a week later.
Paid subscribers also have the opportunity to pitch interview questions for the next Q&A by posting in the comments or by sending an email.
As you hopefully know, I feel very grateful to you all, dear subscribers, for your support for Doing the Write Thing, and when you “heart” a post, it gives me hope that the newsletter is helping you in some way. So when I got a notification showing that C. Elyse supports this newsletter (I can’t quite remember if it was a “heart” or a subscription), I subscribed too to show my appreciation.
Next thing I know, C. Elyse reached out to propose we collaborate on a newsletter. I felt so honoured and excited! I shared some writing tips that C. Elyse included in her newsletter A Sip, A Shout Out & A Sentence. Later, I asked C. Elyse if she’d like to be featured in a Q&A to share her experience with all of us and she agreed!
C. Elyse manages a newsletter and writes—both of which we explore in this Q&A—and also does so much more. Here is her bio: "My portfolio consists of prose, poetry, short stories and novellas in the chick lit, dirty lit and magical realism genres. My works have been featured (in both my given and pen names) on podcasts, open mics, and various print and electronic publications. I am also indie-published on the Barnes & Noble platform, and my book, Lilies Bloom Lies Fester, is available in several Northern California library-curated modules.
“Before I started writing, I received a graduate degree in business management from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. I am a career paralegal for an AM-50 law firm and, to shake things up, I own an electronic bookstore, coach other creatives, and host writing circles, retreats and workshops. I currently live, write and work from the Bay Area, Northern CA (however, please do not hold that against me)."
Marisa: When did you first know you're a writer, and that you want to write?
C. Elyse: Had I possessed the confidence of today’s pre-teens, I would have known at age 12 when my “lonely heart” submission was accepted and read on a well-known radio show. I finally realized and claimed the title after my nest emptied, and blocks of "me time" presented unlimited opportunity for writing and other creative outlets (i.e., drawing).
Marisa: What are your favourite forms of writing (poems, short stories, novels, etc.)?
C. Elyse: Because I am a logophile (and a bit pedantic), my favourite forms are essays, long-form short stories, novella-length novels and playwriting.
Marisa: Can you tell us about your writing process? For example, when do you do most of your writing, and how deeply do you plan or not plan as you write a new story or poem?
C. Elyse: I must know my characters intimately, almost on a nano-granular level, and as a result, my new projects begin with developing the protagonist and antagonist during the darkest, early morning hours when it is most still and peaceful. Once I know my characters, I have a general idea of x-number of events that must occur in the story (loosely outline/plot), and then I write.
Marisa: When you’re done writing your first draft of a new piece, what is your editing process?
C. Elyse: My editing process is antiquated; I learned it eons ago in parochial school. It consists of reading the piece backward, from end to beginning, to identify grammatical, structural, punctuation, etc., errors, then rewriting as necessary.
Marisa: Your Substack newsletter says that you write "prose, poetry and chick lit to make things right". What do you mean when you say "make things right"?
C. Elyse: I have a corporate career in a male-dominated industry, so my days are filled with any level of non-elective stress. Writing is catharsis, more effective and affordable than therapy, and healthier than over-indulgence (i.e., alcohol). When I put pen to paper, everything wrong becomes right.
Marisa: Why did you decide to launch a newsletter? What inspired you and what do you hope your newsletter will bring to you and to fellow writers?
C. Elyse: Although I migrated my newsletter to Substack in July 2023, it is two years old. I initially launched when a participant requested more detail on the written and visual prompts I presented when I was asked to guest-host several write-in sessions.
My newsletter has helped me to hone my creative voice and expand my artistic community more than tenfold. Hopefully it offers fellow writers a place within my community.
Marisa: Do you have advice for other writers who'd like to launch a newsletter? For example, how to choose a name, a theme or what's helped your newsletter grow?
C. Elyse: Be intentional, strategic and consistent when choosing both the name and theme. Define your own level of success. Be patient—your audience will grow. And collaborate with writers with similar themes (or whose newsletter you follow/admire).
Marisa: What’s some advice that has helped you grow as a writer?
C. Elyse: Many will disagree, but MFAs teach one to write the experiences of persons whose life is/was nothing like one's own. Live and write your own life experiences.
C. Elyse, thank you for taking the time to so kindly share with us and for your support for Doing the Write Thing!
Dear readers, you can explore some of C. Elyse’s works by reading or subscribing to her newsletter, A Sip, A Shout Out & A Sentence, right here on Substack. You can also read her book Lilies Bloom Lies Fester or its companion journal.
Q&As are available to all subscribers, with early access granted to paid subscribers. Access is granted to free subscribers a couple of weeks later.
Paid subscribers also have the chance to pitch questions for the next Q&A featuring Norma Nicholson by leaving a comment or sending an email to marisabwrites@gmail.com.
I hope you enjoy and wish you happy writing!
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Belynda Thomas on writing, editing and the supportive role of Toastmasters
Chantel Guertin on writing, editing and her new book Two for the Road
Jane Doucet on writing, editing and re-releasing a self-published book
Patricia Bandurka on writing, editing and creating a series
Cheyanne Young on writing, editing and traditional/self-publishing
Alisha Sevigny on writing, editing and setting
Meaghan McIsaac on writing and editing
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Yes, I intend share to my subscribers! I will share when I get in from work this PM.
You’re welcome, thanks for having me. Happy to route this posting further if acceptable with you. Let me know