Podcasting or Hacking Through the Jungle
I did it. I recorded the podcast that will accompany the release of TRACKING HAPPINESS: A SOUTHERN CHICKEN ADVENTURE. The podcast, which I’ve named ELLEN’S VERY SOUTHERN VOICE: NOVELS TOLD WRITE, offers an extended version of the novel. Each of the 26 chapters has accompanying commentary with Helpful Train Hints and Fun Chicken Facts. The whole thing is, as they say, “in the can.” Soon, you’ll be able to tune in and hear my fabulous fiction in my very own voice. And it scares me to death.
I considered this fear as I drove to The OAM Network studio in Crosstown Concourse to record. Something about my fear was familiar, this feeling that I was hacking a path though the jungle with a machete. Podcasts are a thing; everyone listens to podcasts; podcasts are not unusual. But I know no one personally who has created a podcast to support her novel. So, for me, this was new ground. And I realized that this is the way it’s always been. This is the way I do things.
When I was practicing law in Mississippi in the 1980s and 1990s, male lawyers didn’t often make room for women to succeed along traditional paths. So I made my own way—I succeed by hunting for voids. The State Bar Association didn’t have a Health Law Section, so I created one and became its first Chair. The primary health law publication was dominated by a male lawyer, so I pitched a column to a different paper, and they launched a column with me as the contributor. When I hit a ceiling with my law firm—a firm I had dearly loved—I joined a new firm and established its Jackson office with me as the Managing Partner.
These memories helped me, really. To see a bigger picture and remind myself this is nothing new. I have been here before, and by “here” I mean that point when you’re in the middle of doing something you basically made up in your head and you look up and wonder, what the hell do you think you’re doing?
Entering voids, forging new paths, going your own way. Brave sounding, but also a bit like floating in the darkness of outer space tethered to the mothership by the slimmest of cords. Wish me luck on my re-entry.
Ellen's Very Southern Voice, Ellen's Very Southern Voice: Novels Told Write, podcasting, Podcasting a novel, podcasts, Tracking Happiness, Tracking Happiness: A Southern Chicken Adventure
Donna Weidner
You’re a brave woman, Ellen! Brava! And all the best!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I can’t tell you how many times in the recording of this podcast that I said the word “chicken.” 🙂 Thank you for the well wishes.
Ruthanne
Wish I was as brave as you are, Ellen. Such an inspiration!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I tend to think of it more as a personality defect–I can’t make it the normal way so I have to forge my own path. But. I thank you for your encouragement. It means a lot. <3
Henley
To the moon and back!
Am asking son Walker to name one of their silver lacewing Wyandotte chickens “Ellen Prewitt.” (The Rhode Island red is mean, too mean.)
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Ok, I looked this up, and that’s a beautiful chicken. I would be honored to have such a chicken named for me. Send me photos. I will do my best to make said chicken famous.
Jennifer Sudbury
So excited for your re-entry! <3
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thank you. I think of y’all every time I say “be nice to your chickens” 🙂 And, of course, having had a chicken named after me gives me chicken cred.
Susanne
Learning how to do all this new, trailblazing stuff is good for your brain! Keep on making those new neural pathways!
I’m a podcast outlier, I guess. I’ve never listened to one. But I also don’t own any i-things, don’t watch TV, and once again I don’t social media (other than WordPress) so I don’t imagine I’m your target audience – except for the book. I still read paper things. And I will buy and read your book when it is published.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
“Any i-things” 🙂 I love that. And so impressed you don’t watch TV. I went for a year without it, but that was then. I am having a print book exactly for folks like you. Thank you!
Luanne
You’re a rock star, Ellen. I’m glad to know you. I wish you all the best with your new book! It feels like a really close one to you, if that makes sense.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thanks for the support and best wishes. I am really nervous (teeth chattering). And, yes, releasing this first novel is more personal than I thought.