Meet Ellen Snortland | Writing coach/columnist/writer/director/playwright/Renaissance woman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ellen Snortland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellen, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Denver, Colorado. When I was 6, my parents moved to South Dakota, and I had to go with them! I wanted to stay on our little farm outside of Denver! I am super confident, largely I think because both of my parents grew up on farms, and I did too for awhile. Since I didn’t have any brothers, we didn’t have gendered chores. With farmers, there’s a whole “all hand on deck” ethic. So I’m competent in what many people would consider to be male tasks. If I don’t know how to do something, I just figure it out.

That up-bringing allows me to have a spark, “Hey, I could write a book!” and then, not knowing how to do that… well, a see that a bunch of idiots have written books so that could include me too! Same with writing plays; same with starting a theater company or producing/directing a documentary movie.

Also, I was in a killer flood when I was in my late teens. Out of 27 people in my neighborhood, only 7 people survived, 3 of which were me and my parents. I literally pulled them to safety and saved them from drowning. What that taught me – seeing my life flash before my eyes like that (sorry for the cliche) is that life is not a rehearsal, and my life could be gone in a flash- in my case – in a flash flood. VERY important part of my background.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career has been super difficult, primarily because of sexism. The entertainment industry is rife with “good ol’ white boys” and their almost impenetrable cabal of power. What sets me apart, I believe, is that I have directed most of my creative energy toward underlining and pointing out sexism and racism as much as possible with humor!

I have been writing a smart ass gender column for over 30 years in the Pasadena Weekly, and now, the Downtown LA news as well as the westside Argonaut. I hear from my readers who applaud me for my insightful and humorous writing. It’s not easy being a funny feminist, although it’s gotten easier over the past decade.

My book, “Beauty Bites Beast,” examines how we continue to raise girls and women thinking that a man will “save” them when indeed, who they most often need saving from is men. Here Mr. Fox, these hens really need protection. Oh Mr. Fox, put my sister down! Why are you breaking her neck? It’s not in any mammals “nature” to be defenseless except we’ve brainwashed half the population to think we’re weak. I then made a documentary, also called “Beauty Bites Beast” to further my mission to empower women and girls. Empowered women and girls raise empowered boys. It’s really win-win. The trailer to Beauty Bites Beast is here: http://bit.ly/BBB-Trailer. it’s available to stream on VIMEO

My solo show, “Now That She’s Gone: Unraveling the Mystery of Mother” is a feminist love-letter to my late mother. There’s a bias against one woman shows that has been difficult to contend with. I’m currently writing a new play, working title: The Fairy Project which speculates about “what happened to the 3 Fairy Godmothers of Sleeping Beauty?” The Fairy Project brings us up to date being that fairies are not mortal; their story did not end with Sleeping Beauty.

What I want the world to know about me is that I am passionate about gender justice, and enthusiastic about my own projects. My superpower is persistence. I’m also passionate about working with others to make their dreams come true. My workshops, “The Writers’ Workout,” have students in them who have been with me for years because they know I love and honor them and their work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My dear friend from high school days in South Dakota, Genice Winters Rodne, visited, and here’s what we did. We drove to Mexico for a half day of shopping and a meal at Los Arcos. So delicious!!! Being only 2.5 hours from the border and having a global entry pass helps. Then another day, we went to the Academy of Motion Picture and Sciences museum in mid-City, Wilshire Blvd. I took her to Clifton’s Cafeteria, downtown Los Angeles, and Papa Cristos at Pico and Normandy. We also went to Langers, the best Deli in the West.
All of these place were “must-see” and I use that itinerary for most visitors.
We went to Universal City and had a blast. All in all, I’m a great host as is my husband Ken.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A lot of people deserve thanks and recognition for the achievements I have: my parents, my spouses, s0 supportive but particularly my last and third husband, Ken Gruberman. He’s the TechDaddy and he openly dedicates a lot of his energy to my pursuits, whether it’s editing, gathering photos, graphics or simply telling me, “Of course you can do (fill in the blank.) I also owe a lot to my writing students who inspire me in each and every class for being so brave and open-hearted. Their tuition helps us maintain our lives.

Website: www.beautybitesbeast.com

Instagram: merryfairynow

Linkedin: EllenSnortland

Facebook: @ellensnortland

Youtube: Ellen Snortland

Other: I’m VERY easy to find. As far as I know, I’m the only Ellen Snortland on the planet. The @merryfairynow handle for Instagram is in anticipation of the production of my play, The Fairy Project.

Image Credits
Photos taken by Ken Gruberman and Linda Moore