My guest this week is Elisa Faison, debut author of Skin Contact, a bingeable, sexy, and poignant novel about the ripple effects of a young couple deciding to open up their marriage.
Elisa has published stories in various literary magazines, and won the 2024 Peden Prize for her story “Motherlove.” She has worked as an editorial intern at Algonquin Books, a bookseller at Flyleaf Books, and as book reviews editor at the Carolina Quarterly. She lives in Carrboro, North Carolina with her partner and two-year-old twins.
I loved hearing how Elisa approaches the gap between her own confidence in her writing and her worry that other people won’t like it, something I know I, like many writers, can relate to. I also loved learning the go-to strategy she uses to get into the headspace for writing, whether she’s writing a sex scene or doing a little world-building. It’s definitely something I’m going to give a try.
Elisa Faison, practical matters: Cultivating the creative mindset
Elisa Faison, inner stuff: Getting through those moments of doubt
Elisa Faison, what’s coming up: Being open to all feedback—even the negative kind
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Her storied past as an “OC” and Harry Potter fanfic writer
Touring through various writing-adjacent jobs
The book she wrote that may never see the light of day
The writing conference that was her first glimpse of what it’s like to be “a writer”
Her rough introduction to the politics of publishing
How she makes money
How her day-to-day experiences make their way into her writing
When your morning routine is not your own (Elisa is the mom of 2-1/2 year old twins)
Why she reads a poem before she starts writing–and which poets she typically reads
Honoring your own neurodiversity in your writing process
The plight of being an author who hates social media
How she lets those doubts out so she can keep going
Transitioning from the exploratory phase of her twenties to the more settled nature of her thirties
“I won’t diagnose myself in front of everyone, but once I sit down with something I can really lock in. It’s my just a favorite feeling in the whole world to have an idea or a scene that I’m in and just typing it all out, getting it all out there.”
Opening her marriage
Getting more open-minded with age
Her system for keeping track of the various ideas and inspirations she gets throughout the day
The author whose body of works inspires her
A sneak peek at the novel she just finished the first draft of
Why she views all feedback as helpful
The audiobook she couldn’t stop talking to her husband about
Why she takes her coffee in a regular mug, not a to-go cup, even when she’s wrangling two kids into the car
Her brief stint as a wedding cake baker
I find it unusual to be sharing a lot of pictures of my face in order to promote my book.
Phil Eil, practical matters: When the work you’re passionate about doesn’t make a lot of money
Phil Eil, inner stuff: The power of writing about mental health challenges (especially as a man
Philip Eil, what’s coming up: Tackling clutter and how AI is spreading misinformation
Lori Gold, practical matters: Listening to the voice that says “I want to do something different”
Lori Gold, inner stuff: On writing what you *don’t* know
Lori Gold, what’s coming up: Re-jiggering your schedule so writing comes first
John Glynn, practical matters: Making time to write while working a full-time job
John Glynn, inner stuff: Taking your doubts as a sign you’re on the right track
John Glynn: what’s coming up: Savoring the sensation of (finally) being on the right path
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