33 Comments

The cafeteria analogy is so spot on! And also, you know who I thought of immediately? Dani Elgas, of course ✨ and my friend Katherine who saw my years of Instagram captions and heard my one sentence of interest in Exhale and immediately gifted me the membership and continues to cheer me on. Every script really does need a friend, and I’m so much more encouraged in my creativity because of mine 🫶🏻Can’t wait to see your finished meaty pdf!!

Expand full comment
author

I love this. Dani has been such a consistent friend to my work, as well. 😭💞

Expand full comment
Jun 19Liked by Ashlee Gadd

It’s me, I’m the friend! My dream job is hype girl (which unfortunately doesn’t match my nursing salary 🤨) and while I’m not the super creative one, I love getting to be a witness to those who are. This was such a delight to read, thank you for it!

Expand full comment
author

Mallory, you ARE such a good hype girl. Thank you for your service! 😅❤️ I don’t take it for granted.

Expand full comment

Ham and puberty is now up there as one of my favorite descriptors of high school ever! It seems fitting to the theme of your beautiful piece to let you know that I laughed out loud.

Expand full comment
author

So many smells, so little time. But ham and puberty really summed it up I think 🤣

Expand full comment

Yes! 🙌🏻 This resonates with a very tender part of me in this creative season. Can Substack make a highlight feature please? Grateful for your heart and being a friend to so many creatives!!

Expand full comment
author

Same to be said of you, my friend!

Expand full comment

I wanna know I wanna know I wanna know!!!!!!

Expand full comment

Me too!! Tell us, tell us!! 🤩

Expand full comment
Jun 19Liked by Ashlee Gadd

My husband and I love Mike Birbiglia! We were at a comedy cellar in NYC with a whole bunch of comedians working out their material and were shocked when Mike Birbiglia came on to try out some of his new stuff. What a treat! His story telling format of comedy is amazing.

Expand full comment
author

I have never been to the comedy cellar but I would LOVE to go someday! It’s on my NYC bucket list!

Expand full comment

Such a great read and YES.

ALSO I’ve never heard of that comedian; thanks!!

Expand full comment
author

He’s so great!!! Start with the new one!

Expand full comment
Jun 20Liked by Ashlee Gadd

Love this and you got me super excited for this meaty pdf!!!

Expand full comment
author

I really need a better tagline 🤣

Expand full comment
Jun 20Liked by Ashlee Gadd

Not creative but a big fan, big friend! Love it!

Expand full comment
author

Haley thank you for always reading my stuff and commenting. You truly have been a big friend to my writing, and I am so grateful. 😘

Expand full comment

Kinda fan girl freaking out right now, but I have learned so much from you about cheering on and encouraging other women and you are easy to do that with! Thankful for all you do and write and say!

Expand full comment
Jun 19Liked by Ashlee Gadd

& now I can’t wait to see that PDF come to life even more!!

Expand full comment

Ashlee I love love love this. Wow. I remember you writing an essay about being the friend who is all in and has no chill. I am that friend but I so desperate want someone to do that for my writing too. Why is it so hard to share our writing/ideas with loved ones? It feels so vulnerable! Thanks for reminder in this and in your book to throw glitter and be hype girls for others ✨

Expand full comment

You know I love everything about this.

Expand full comment

Yes, yes, yes! I so agree! Sharing is so vulnerable and we need people that are loving listeners!

Expand full comment

I love this. ❤️ "Every script needs a friend" will now be swirling around in my mind and will eventually spill out into a journal or poem or something as I process. So glad I found this article and looking forward to reading your other work!

Expand full comment

I should not be surprised you love that podcast! I have been listening through the archives during my maternity leave, inspired by the collaboration in every episode.

Expand full comment

I have a friend who is considering selling her art on Etsy and doesn’t think it’s worth it.I have totally totally been on “team share your work” with the world and I just sent her this essay as another push :) happy to be my the friend to my friends script!

Expand full comment