American Housewife: Stories - Helen Ellis

Here are three things we learned from a recent conversation with [Helen] Ellis.

1. This book started with tweets.

"Inspired by Beyoncé, I stallion-walk to the toaster."

After some time away from the publishing industry (admittedly not by choice; she has written several unpublished novels), Ellis found a new medium in Twitter. The first line of the first "American Housewife" story is the most-retweeted tweet from Ellis' account, @whatidoallday. Although she didn't approach it with anything more in mind, the medium has proven a testing ground for her witticisms.

2. Alabama definitely influences her writing.
Ellis seemed overjoyed to hear an accent much like hers on the other end of the phone during our recent call. Although she moved to New York City two decades ago, Ellis says Alabama remains very much an influence.

Take, for instance, the opening lines of the story "Southern Lady Code:"

"'Is this too dressy?' Is Southern Lady code for: I look fabulous and it would be in your best interest to tell me so."

Her story collection is filled with such sly observations. And if you head to this afternoon's signing, be sure to chat a while; Ellis will make you laugh out loud, whether you discuss common upbringing or gambling.

3. Poker, not writing, takes up much of her time. But the two have something in common.

Ellis is a professional poker player, and in recent years that's absorbed more of her time than writing. After writing several unsold novels, she put down her pen and focused instead on the national poker circuit. Cards, like writing, have a meditative quality for her. When she's at the poker table, she's all there. It's relaxing.

She's missing some of her regular poker tournaments for book tour, but Ellis says that's OK.

"There will be another poker tournament," Ellis says. "There may not be another book."