We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elle Warren. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elle below.

Elle , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I work full-time for a telehealth company as a content writer. Meaning, I write articles for their blog that are intended to be engaging and informative and also help people find us from Google. I was initially worried that writing full-time in a professional context would leave me working less on my own projects. That really has not been the case, though. In fact, writing for someone else, which comes with deadlines and expectations, has helped me write with more discipline, regularity, and confidence on my own time.

In addition to my full-time role, I’m also breaking into the freelancing world. I’m working on a memoir, and in an attempt to build a readership for that memoir, I’m writing and publishing short-form essays on the same themes that will be in the book. Freelancing in the personal essay world isn’t particularly lucrative at most publications, but it is some extra income.

If you’re a writer who is hesitant to write as their full-time job, that’s totally fair, but I might recommend just giving it a try and seeing how it goes for you. Especially if you can get paid more than your current role.

Elle , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I always say that I’ve been writing since I learned how to spell. My first book was made of stapled together construction paper and centered a lonely horse who gets adopted by a kind little girl. Since then, I’ve gotten my B.A. in English & Creative Writing, self-published a chapbook of poems, had another chapbook be published by indie press Game Over Books, hosted writers’ retreats, started a poetry open mic, started a full-time writing gig, and am breaking into freelancing (I have personal essay coming out soon in HuffPost!).

Right now, my work centers grief, internalized homophobia, queer joy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, religious shame, and other complicated brain stuff. I’m driven to write about my experiences not because I think I’m unique, but because of the opposite. I know I’m not alone in my experiences, and I think it’s up to writers to give language to them.

I am always wanting to connect with readers and writers, particularly on the aforementioned themes – I think of one the reasons I write is because I want to talk to people face-to-face about stuff we both care about. In my head, my writing can be sort of a friendship pick-up line? Anyway, I also have some room for freelance copywriting, if anyone out there needs some words written for them (I’m better than ChatGPT, I promise). I’d especially love to work with female and/or LGBTQIA2S+ owned small businesses!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

There are so many resources for writers out there! It’s taken me a long time to collect these resources, so I’ll share a few favorites:

– Want to submit something you’ve written for publication in a lit mag or journal? Go to chillsubs.com
– Want to share resources and opportunities with other freelance writers/journalists? Go to studyhall.xyz
– Are you a poet with a manuscript you want published? Sign up for Emily Stoddard’s substack, Poetry Bulletin – she shares monthly opportunities of publishers taking submissions
– Want to start getting your work out there but feel daunted by submitting your work places? Start a Substack or Medium!
– Want to hear about job opportunities for writers and/or learn the ins-and-outs of freelance writing? Check out Amber Petty (amberpetty.com)

This list could go on, but the bottom line is: there are countless people out there to help you along this venture! In this case, Google and social media can be your friend.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To be seen and heard as well as to see and listen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ellewarrenwrites.com
• Instagram: ellewarrenwrites
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellewarren/

Image Credits
Credit for the photo of me signing books: Sam Burnett (@sammigailphotography)