#165 Giving Every Character Main Character Energy in Your Novel with Denne Michele Norris Part 1

I loved diving into this conversation with Denne Michele Norris, author, and Editor in Chief of Electric Literature. Her insight into writing every character with depth, presence, and main character energy is both generous and deeply human, and this is just Part 1 of our two part discussion.

In this illuminating episode, Denne shares the craft behind her stunning debut, When the Harvest Comes, a sweeping queer love story that explores grief, faith, identity, and the transformative power of embracing difference.

Stay tuned. Next week, Denne returns to cover what catches her attention as an editor, how writers can stand out, and what it really takes to build a sustainable literary career.

In this episode:

• Raising the stakes; Why Denne chose to open the story with a wedding to root readers in love before loss [2:32]

• Bringing every character to life: How to ensure no character fades into the background [3:21]

• Sex as storytelling: writing intimate scenes that move the plot and reveal character [11:22]

• Dialogue & subtext: what's said, unsaid, and how readers can live between those lines  [14:00]

• Music as metaphor: a violist's instrument as inner mirror [24:17]

• Finding structure: shaping 14 years of revision into a three-part arc [28:08]

• Title turnaround: The rediscovered sermon that inspired When the Harvest Comes [31:13]

• Reader takeaway: crafting stories that offer escape, empathy, and affirmation [33:11]

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KeDTyBArpFI

 

About Denne

Denne Michele Norris is the editor in chief of Electric Literature, winner of the Whiting Literary Magazine Prize. She is the first Black, openly trans woman to helm a major literary publication. She co-hosts the critically acclaimed podcast Food 4 Thot and holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College.

 

Connect with Denne:

Website: https://www.dennemichele.com

When The Harvest Comes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735735/when-the-harvest-comes-by-denne-michele-norris/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedennemichele/

 

Get More from Estelle

• 🎓 Learn with Estelle:
  • NYU Zoom Course: Writing About Your Life Through Memoir & Essays — Learn more
  • Private Small-Group Memoir Class — January sold out in 4 days. Next 6-week session begins March 2026. Email [e-mail] for details.

• 📰 Read & Subscribe
  • Substack:— new post: Why Every Memoir Needs the "Echo Effect"
  • Newsletter: Sign up at estelleserasmus.com for show updates + a free Pitching Guide.

• 🎤 Watch: Estelle's TEDx Talk — How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond

• 📘 Book: Writing That Gets Noticed — named a Poets & Writers "Best Book for Writers." Audiobook here

• 🎧 Listen: Freelance Writing Direct Podcast — 2025 Podcast of the Year (America