When I first heard that Ellen Nasser was writing a memoir, I had my doubts. Aren’t these works something one writes in their 80s? She’s younger than me for crumb sake! Turns out, she had the same doubts.

“This is absurd,” Nasser says at the beginning of the audiobook. “Who do I think I am wanting to sit down and write a book about what I’ve experienced in my first 40 years?”

The idea for Interlude: Happy(ish) Ever After came to Nasser in a dream, that she would write a book by her 40^th birthday. The project began three years ago. Nasser had always journaled so she started small.

Committing to write each of the 74 days leading up to her birthday. Setting up shop in her closet in the early morning hours, before her family woke up, Nasser recorded her thoughts. Sometimes they were reflections of what happened the day before, or memories from childhood and other times it was in anticipation of what her day held. Nasser had a lot on her plate, a busy career in real estate, raising four kids between the ages of 4 – 12 years-old, working as a recording artist and performer, and dealing with the loss of her father only a year before.

The writing helped me shift my perspective and realize I can just be

“It just poured out of me,” Nasser explains. “Everything about it was in the moment. I can be a puddle and a mess, I didn’t know the grief I was feeling about my dad until I started writing about it. But, there were also days where the writing helped me shift my perspective and realize I can just be. My dad was my biggest cheerleader and I believe the push to write this book was a gift from him.”

It’s all about finding connection

Interlude weaves Nasser’s stories with her music. Many songs are about her family, love, and the messiness of everyday life. She hopes others can relate.

“I had a fear of putting this out in the world, that people would think I’m privileged but, I’ve had others saying how brave it is to write it all down,” says Nasser. “It’s all about finding connection, being of service, helping, healing, and expressing who I truly am.”

It’s bringing up their own emotional experiences, there’s magic in that

Nasser says the feedback she’s received so far has been overwhelming.

“People are telling me that the book has made them stop and think of their lives,” she says. “Things they didn’t realize they were still carrying, their own grief, frustration, and joys. It’s bringing up their own emotional experiences, there’s magic in that.”

Ultimately, Nasser says Interlude is a snapshot in time, one woman’s experience as she moves through the world. She hopes it will one day become a keepsake for her children.

“This really has helped me heal, become more centred in who I am as a person, not the mom or the real estate agent, or the performer…Just me,” says Nasser. “Who knows, maybe when I’m 80, there will be another chapter to write.”

Interlude: Happy(ish) Ever After can be found on Audible, Google Play, Spotify, Apple Books, Amazon, and Kobo.

For more information about Nasser follow this link.