We recently had the chance to connect with Nicole Letts and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nicole, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
While I would love to say that I wake up ready to tackle the day, I am definitely more of a night owl. My dog, Ryan, usually wakes me up around 7:30, and I make my way directly to my coffee pot. Then I spend the morning completing my NYT games (Wordle, Mini, and Connections, in that order), sipping coffee, and checking email.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an Atlanta-based freelance journalist focused on the modern American South. My work has been published by some of the country’s top magazines and digital publications including AAA Explorer Alabama, Architectural Digest, BBC Travel, Fodor’s Travel, Garden & Gun, Good Grit, Southern Living and many more. I am also the author of the book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Alabama. In my spare time, I love playing mahjong, stitching cheeky needlepoint canvases, or perusing local antique shops for my online business, Grandmillennial Shop.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I have always been a writer, often turning to poetry and short stories as a kid. When I went to college, I didn’t think writing would be a stable enough career for someone like me who craves routine and security, so I opted for the reliability of teaching. I stayed in the classroom long enough to get several degrees and a few certificates, but I was ultimately called back to writing and journalism. I carried a lot of imposter syndrome at first, especially for having not gone to journliasm school, but I’ve been lucky to have editors that trust and turn to me and have slowly built my confidence over the years. Now, I can’t imagine doing anything else!
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Losing my father when I was 23 was particularly challenging. I didn’t know how to deal with the grief, so I just plain didn’t. I spent years laughing pain off or ignoring it all together. I started therapy several years ago, and I haven’t looked back since. There are so many things I’ve learned about my tenacity because of the loss I’ve experienced. I’d venture to say I am better because of it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I have known my closest friends for decades. We love as fiercely as sisters, and we often comment on how lucky we are to have chosen family like each other. Because of that, I decided to ask them this question myself. Here’s what they said:
“Loyalty. Friendship. Southern quips and traditions. A snuggle with your dog. A perfectly curated wall or table. A strong cocktail made by a friendly bartender, in a place where you feel safe and comfortable alongside someone who understands who you are.”
What’s not to love about that?! Shout-out to Lauren for eloquently putting it all in one succinct quote.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I think being a freelance writer, this is a huge part of the job. Yes, it is absolutely amazing to see a story in print, but I live on a career island by myself. I have to motivate myself. I have to do my work myself. There’s no raise. There’s no bonus. There’s no award. It’s just me. And I give my best every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://muckrack.com/nicole-letts
- Instagram: @nicolemelv
Image Credits
Blue Dress Photos: AC Madden Photography
