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The Naked Novelist

The Naked Novelist

By Nelsie Spencer

Look! I wrote a novel and it got published - by St. Martins Press - a big fancy pub house. I know how to write. I've been doing it for a looonnnggg time. And I've been helping others hone their craft and find their voice as writers since 2006. So, I had this idea, I'll read my book - The Playgroup - and, as I go, chapter by chapter, I'll share with my listeners all I know about writing. So, have fun, listen to the episodes in order, and TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
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Currently playing episode

The Naked Novelist (formerly Shakespeare's Journal) S1, E1, Chapter One - Stand-up, Lie down

The Naked NovelistAug 16, 2018

00:00
33:36
Chapter 26 - Up, Up and Away

Chapter 26 - Up, Up and Away

Things continue to devolve for Ellie as she falls deeper into the Eastside web of debauchery.  Nelsie shares how to intensify the stakes and the obstacles for the protagonist. Oh, and there's some pretty steamy sex, too!

Jul 18, 201929:36
Chapter 24 - Showers & Sardines

Chapter 24 - Showers & Sardines

Ellie breaks more promises to herself and gets caught with her "hand in the cookie jar" by Missy's mother! Has she gone to far down the rabbit hole to make her way back?


May 31, 201939:19
Don't You Dare Dodgeball!

Don't You Dare Dodgeball!

Ellie travels deeper into the Eastside world of upscale schools and "perfect" parents as she begins to lose her ability to hold her tongue.

May 24, 201919:31
Strangling Snappy

Strangling Snappy

Things continue to heat up and fall apart for Ellie. Nelsie discusses how to increase and sustain the tension and obstacles for your protagonist.

May 17, 201914:27
Season 1 Chapter 20 - Whirlpool Nightmare

Season 1 Chapter 20 - Whirlpool Nightmare

Post New Year's Eve debacle, Ellie wakes to the reality of what she's done. Will her life ever be the same? And, as your personal writing coach, I talk more about creating and maintaining tension and obstacles for the protagonist.

Apr 17, 201933:37
Caviar, Chevre & Secret Sex

Caviar, Chevre & Secret Sex

Ellie is getting in  some deep shit as she flies solo on the eastside. Nelsie talks about finding your muse and how writing eroticism was never her plan.

Apr 06, 201941:53
Chapter 18 - Gershwin & Elite Potheads

Chapter 18 - Gershwin & Elite Potheads

I discuss how I (hopefully) create and maintain tension as Ellie ventures to an eastside party WITHOUT Peter!  

In Chapter 18, Ellie finds herself - as usual - the "what does not belong in this picture" item. This time she's at an eastside New Year's Eve party without Peter, in a sexy cocktail dress surrounded by bowties, fur coats and people named Biffy. Ellie looks to survive the night by falling back on old habits. 

Mar 30, 201941:28
Cocktail Dress & Strappy Heels

Cocktail Dress & Strappy Heels

Ellie and Peter are all "dolled up" for a full-on Eastside New Year's Eve party at Missy and Antonio's. Snow's falling, lights are twinkling...What could go wrong?

Mar 16, 201939:52
Chapter 15 - Herblax & Health Food Stores

Chapter 15 - Herblax & Health Food Stores

Ellie heads west as fast as her double stroller will go, but an old siren is calling. Will she make it west before she really fucks up?

Mar 01, 201931:05
Season 1 Chapter 14 - White Panties & Painkillers

Season 1 Chapter 14 - White Panties & Painkillers

Missy needs a favor from Ellie. What could it be?

Feb 22, 201942:29
Season 1, Episode 13 - F*#king & Faux Pas

Season 1, Episode 13 - F*#king & Faux Pas

Ellie survives Camille's birthday party, but will she and Peter survive this new moneied world? How "upping" the conflict makes for more intrigue. 

Feb 15, 201922:03
Season 1, Episode 12 - Birthday Parites and Broken Hearts

Season 1, Episode 12 - Birthday Parites and Broken Hearts

Ellie attends her first over-ther-top birthday party for a 3-year-old. Will she survive it? And learn a bit about being true to the "heart story" of you characters.

Feb 07, 201940:12
Season 1, Episode 11: Books, Breastfeeding and Endless Battles

Season 1, Episode 11: Books, Breastfeeding and Endless Battles

Ellie shows up to support her mom at her book-signing at B&N, but somehow decades-old resentments pop us like fresh daisies.

Jan 31, 201940:34
Season 1, Episode 10: Hopeless at HBO

Season 1, Episode 10: Hopeless at HBO

Ellie's big day has arrived! She gets to pitch her idea for a TV show to Lisa Bienstock, HBO bigshot. ONly problem - she's a bit foggy on the whole "Idea" part of the show.

Jan 22, 201934:24
Season 1, Episode 9 Pot & Picasso

Season 1, Episode 9 Pot & Picasso

Things get "weirder and weirder" at Missy and Antonio's and Ellie gets desperate to get out!

Dec 27, 201852:16
Season 1, Episode 8 - Leather Minis & Corkscrews

Season 1, Episode 8 - Leather Minis & Corkscrews

Ellie and Peter reluctantly make their way to the dreaded Eastside to Park Avenue Playgroup's Get-to-know-you Cocktail party. Is Ellie's leather mini to slutty? Or will she be the hit of the party?
Dec 14, 201836:55
Season 1, The Naked Novelist Uncovered - Episode #1 - Kelly Caldwell

Season 1, The Naked Novelist Uncovered - Episode #1 - Kelly Caldwell

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Naked Novelist Uncovered. Sounds redundant, I know, but, stick with me. These interviews with fellow writers will give us all a chance to look inside the mind of writers in all genres to "uncover" insights, struggles and secrets of the professional (or soon-to-be professional) writer.
Oct 30, 201835:22
Season 1, Episode 7 - Knife Pleats and Spaghetti Straps

Season 1, Episode 7 - Knife Pleats and Spaghetti Straps

Ellie has less than 2 hours to find the perfect, tasteful, yet sexless outfit for Park Avenue Playgroup's Cocktail Party that begins in less than 6 hours. She leaves the kids in a questionable setting and heads for Saks Fifth Avenue in a panic.
Oct 27, 201831:31
Season 1 Episode 6 - Hiking Boots & Loafers

Season 1 Episode 6 - Hiking Boots & Loafers

Ellie faces another day at Park Avenue Playgroup, only to be discover there's yet another Eastside social fence to climb.
Sep 28, 201825:58
Season 1 Episode 5/Chapter 5 - Crunches and Avocados

Season 1 Episode 5/Chapter 5 - Crunches and Avocados

Good news! Nelsie sings yet another impromptu theme song, reads Chapter 5 and talks about piling on the obstacles for the protagonist.
Sep 18, 201826:02
Season 1 Episode 4 - Best Friends and Abortions

Season 1 Episode 4 - Best Friends and Abortions

Episode 4/Chapter 4 - We get the scoop on Robbie, Ellie's former best friend, emphasis on former. We meet Arlene, perhaps Ellie's new best friend. Could it be?
Sep 10, 201842:02
Season 1 Episode 3 - Game shows and Orgasms

Season 1 Episode 3 - Game shows and Orgasms

In Episode 3 Nelsie reads Chapter 3 - Post Missy encounter, Ellie and Peter have a romp on the sofabed. But there is a purise guest...
Sep 01, 201821:04
The Naked Novelist (formerly Shakespeare's Journal) S1, E1, Chapter One - Stand-up, Lie down

The Naked Novelist (formerly Shakespeare's Journal) S1, E1, Chapter One - Stand-up, Lie down

On this "virgin voyage" Of NN (the Naked Novelist) you'll meet your host - Me, Nelsie Spencer - and hear the first chapter of my novel, The Playgroup. We meet artsy, insecure Ellie as prepares to take her precious daughter to the fanciest of preschools on the "evil" eastside. Nelsie also shares of her expertise onthe all-important first page of any novel, and some "how-tos" on exposition.
Aug 16, 201833:36
The Naked Novelist Trailer

The Naked Novelist Trailer

Here's a little taste of what's to come this first season on The Naked Novelist
Aug 16, 201802:59
Chapter 2 - Lipsticks and Accessories

Chapter 2 - Lipsticks and Accessories

 Ellie makes the harrowing trip to the dreaded eastside where she's plagued by women wearing tassle loafers and toddlers that are better dressed than she is. Will Ellie survive so many moms with so much family money? As will become the norm, Nelsie gives you writing tips and tools.

Aug 16, 201841:32