Elaine Soloway

Elaine Soloway is the mother of Jill and Faith Soloway, and the inspiration for Shelly Pfefferman (Judith Light) on Amazon Video's Golden Globe winning series, Transparent. She is the author of four books: The Division Street Princess, She's Not The Type, Green Nails And Other Acts Of Rebellion: Life After Loss and most recently Bad Grandma and Other Chapters In A Life Lived Out Loud.

Elaine is a public relations, marketing, and tech consultant; and was previously the Director of Communications for the Chicago Public Schools and a press aide to former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne. She currently writes The Rookie Caregiver, The Rookie Widow and The Rookie Transplant blogs.

Elaine's website is elainesolowayconsulting.com and her email is elainesoloway (at) gmail.com.

Elaine Soloway's Rookie Widow Series: Jealousy At The Gym; A Resting Place In The Garden of Eden; From Third Wheel to Driver's Seat

Elaine Soloway writes: I won't change my appearance or wardrobe to hook a guy. In my earlier single stage, I wore 3-inch heels, clothing I deemed alluring, and shopped at Victoria's Secret for the 'just in case' dates. Now, I refuse to dye my grey hair, get Botox or plastic surgery, or don anything that doesn't stretch. more »

Elaine Soloway's Rookie Widow Series: Deja Vu, Forget Him Not and California Dreaming

An evening phone call to my post-surgery friend confirms he is managing okay. The painkillers are doing their job and he is comfortable watching television. "Thanks for being there for me," he says... I had been certain my nightly routine would seal my husband in my brain. Every night before I go to sleep, I say, "Love you, Tommy" to the pillow I use as his stand-in. And I hear back, clear as if he were at my left instead of his surrogate, "Love you, too!" ...That's when I realized how much I had come to adore my new place, which has quickly become a refuge and cocoon cushioning me from the sad events that propelled me to this new life. How could I ever leave this solace? more »

Elaine Soloway's Rookie Widow Series: Homeward Bound, A Swell Party and Body Type

This is what I miss, from my marriage, from my husband. The toe-to-toe enveloping, the hug. Tommy was low maintenance, helpful around the house, had interests that matched mine, and most importantly, thought I walked on water. I told my daughter, "I'm not ready to date, and I can't imagine sharing my new life with anyone, but I miss spooning. It's a bedtime perk I pine for." more »

Elaine Soloway's Rookie Widow Series: Carless in Chicago, Un-couching The Potato & The Sign

With Tommy gone, without my head wrapped around his caregiving, my nights on the couch are starting to fray. I'm getting lonely. I admit that evenings out to theatre, to dinner, to the event I just ordered tickets for, are becoming more appealing. I'm managing my dislike for nighttime driving by using taxicabs. I'm adjusting to getting gussied up as the sky darkens. To prevent head- and eye-droops as the evening wears on, I take catnaps. Slowly, I’m peeling this small and stubborn body off the couch. more »