I'm officially done writing nonfiction
For good? We'll see...
Weekly Q&A
Q: Why the pivot to fiction?
Intuitively, it just felt like time. There are so many reasons why I decided to pursue a novel as my next book: for the creative challenge, to prove to myself I can do it, to avoid pigeon-holding or going stale, to revel in just getting to make shit up. But above all, I think it’s because the story I have in mind is one I’m really moved to explore. These characters have become the first thing I think of when I wake up, and I think that’s telling. It’s just been so much fun to write so far, such a dreamy change of pace. I’m sure I’ll return to nonfiction at some point, but truthfully right now, writing this story feels so liberating, I can’t even imagine restricting myself to the reality of facts and interviews and research and knowing there are readers out there who don’t accept or support my non-academic genre of nonfiction. This novel has just felt like a breath of fresh air. I’m excited to keep y’all updated here on the newsletter as I go. Feel free to leave any questions you have about the process (or anything else) in a comment below. xo
Look out this week for a fun Sounds Like A Cult feed drop.
While the pod is still in hiatus, I thought I’d fill the feed with a feature of my dear friend Andrea Dunlop’s utterly brilliant, not-for-the-faint-of-heart investigative podcast Nobody Should Believe Me, which just aired its fourth season. If you listened to the “Cult of Munchausen by Proxy” episode, Andrea was my guest. This season of her show follows MBP survivor Jordyn Hope. Tune in this week on the SLAC feed for an intro to the show, and regular SLAC episodes will be resume very soon!
I started packing for Europe.
I have not had more than about a day off since… maybe Christmastime last year? It may not be balanced or healthy, but I work on an extreme seasonal schedule: When I have a book coming out, I'm on around the clock, and then as soon as I can feasibly slow down, I disappear—not quite Adele-style, but that’s what I aspire to.
So, on September 14, I am leaving for six weeks in Europe, and if all goes to plan, you WILL NOT HEAR FROM ME. I will still be working, just at a very different pace and on a time zone where it feels like no one can hurt me lol. And of course I’ll still be updating you newsletter subs whenever something exciting occurs :)
Come see me and author Coco Mellors in Los Angeles on Sept 9th!
My darling friend Coco is launching her latest book, and I get to be her conversation partner in LA. Come see us next Monday. It’s free :)
Event date:
Monday, September 9, 2024 - 7:00pm
Event address:
1818 N Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
A weekly roundup of books, podcasts, TV shows, tchotchkes, and anything else I’m currently “cult following.”
Song: LEO (you are the sun)
I discovered this shiny little song at an LA listening party the other week and have been quite enjoying its sparkly synths as summer comes to a close.
Book: The Ministry of Time
Whoever recommended this gook to me as a comp title for the novel I’m writing was SPOT ON. I had no idea this book was so FUNNY! And fresh! Really delighting in the shimmering voice and breezy, genre-bendy plot so far.
Film: Saturday Night trailer
Several of my dear pals worked on this forthcoming film about the first-ever SNL broadcast. I got to visit the set back in May and could just feel that the project would turn out delish. That cast alone! The movie is getting stellar reviews on the festival circuit so far. It comes out October 11, and I cannot wait to see the whole thing.
TV: Bad Sisters
This is one of those shows that aired a single solitary smash of a season and then disappeared. I watched it back when it premiered in 2022 and am hopeful that the rumors are true, and a new season is coming soon. I miss it. In terms of tone and writing, this might be one of my top 5 shows of all time. It’s an Irish dark murder comedy created by Sharon Horgan. If you know you know.
"I'm officially done writing nonfiction" was like clickbait, I immediately stopped what I was doing to read this.
The title was the best clickbait, b/c I feel the same way! I'm so fucking sick of talking about myself. Didn't know Bad Sisters was coming back! Wonder if they are going to plot against another dickhead, or continue being questioned about the first one....