Elva Maxine Beach was born in Missouri to a family of preachers, teachers, and storytellers. She studied writing with Andrei Codrescu and others at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, then lived in Austin for more than a decade. In 2008, New Belleville Press published Neurotica, a fictionalized account of her varied and risk-taking sex life.

Beach took time out of her sexy schedule to answer a few questions for Reading Local. See her in person on Monday, March 15, at Three Friends Coffeehouse.

Q: A couple of years ago you returned to St. Louis , where you had lived when you were younger. How has this return home affected your writing life?

A: One good thing about St. Louis is it is supportive of its artists. Yes, it’s a working class town, and yes, it’s a bit provincial, but the city has a tradition of celebrating and embracing the arts. Tennessee Williams, Kate Chopin, Maya Angelou all St. Louisians.

So, I’ve managed to find like minds, other writers and artists, who are willing to collaborate and inspire. I’m working on a two-woman show right now with a talented comedian, I’m working with a non-profit, Words on Purpose, that raises money for local charities through readings at an anarchist bakery (you read that right, yes), and I’m discovering pockets of people who support and encourage the literary arts.

I must admit, though, living in Austin was like living with endless inspiration. I felt freer in Austin to write my truly smutty stuff, because I didn’t feel judged or threatened. St. Louis is conservative, so I do feel a bit hampered. The tone of my writing is changing. Yes. Place does effect content.

Q: Tell us about your teaching. What courses do you like to teach? How does teaching inform your writing?

A: Teaching is the best job I’ve ever had, and I’ve had plenty of jobs. How many people get to spend their days lecturing on their favorite topics and being paid for it? I’m blessed.

Lately, my favorite classes to teach are Literature classes. I teach mostly contemporary and feminist lit, and honestly don’t feel appropriately trained to teach these classes. I didn’t pursue English in school. I studied film and video making, then creative writing. So, perhaps I’m digging literature classes because I’m learning as I teach.

But, I learn when I teach my fiction writing and composition classes, too. I usually learn something new from my students each semester, whether it’s new slang, or information that is outside my realm of interests, or new insights into human behavior. And all of this informs my writing in one way or another. BUT, sometimes after hours of grading poorly written prose, I lose my voice and start writing poorly, too. It’s scary, but at least I notice this.

Q: Some writers publish their erotic projects under a pen name. How has it been for you as a writer, teacher and private citizen to become known for writing erotic fiction? Any interesting experiences promoting Neurotica?

A: The reaction I get to my erotica writing is a mixed bag. Women often praise me and tell me I’m courageous (my erotica goes a bit beyond the sexual and deals with some ugly aspects of our sexual freedom). Students have told me I inspire them to not be afraid of their own demons and shadows. But, I have trouble with men now. They’re afraid I’ll write stories about them. Or, they’re afraid I’ll cheat on them, because hey, I write about sex, so that must mean I’m incapable of real relationship. The whole Madonna/Whore thing, you know. My family wishes I would use a pen name. And, I’m often anxious that some school administrator or parent is going to run across my work and start a fuss.

I tell people that I’m not courageous. I’m oblivious. It’s true. I write about what most interests me, and this is sex and how sexual freedom is confusing and dangerous for women, but also how it is liberating. I don’t think about the repercussions of my work (until it’s too late).

It’s been a blast promoting Neurotica. I’ve met some amazing writers and lovers of literature. I’ve visited towns I wouldn’t normally visit. I’ve put on some wild shows, too, and in doing so I’ve worked with burlesque dancers, opera singers, trendy indie kids, visual artists…it’s a blast collaborating with other artists.

At the end of the day, though, I’m just a hard working writing teacher who needs to write more and who thinks about things like going to the grocery store and plucking peri-menopausal whiskers from my chin.

Q: Any new projects in the works?

A: As I mentioned, I’m working on a two-woman show with this fabulous comedian. We’re examining the procreation/non-creation dichotomy women struggle with. Do I have children? And if I do, what does this do to my life and my essential self-image? It sounds serious, but so far what we’ve written is her-larious!

Also, I am drafting another short story cycle, about growing up in the 70′s. Drugs, sex, rock and roll. All that goofball stuff.

Q: I know you’ve been to Portland at least once before. What do you like about Portland? Anything you hope to do while visiting our city?

A: My favorite thing about Portland when I last visited (besides its natural beauty) was that chicks in glasses were celebrated. I loved walking around and seeing all these gorgeous, natural women with hoodies and glasses. Oh, and Portland’s bookstore, Powell’s — Man, oh man, that place rocks!

Image credit Elva Maxine Beach.

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