Meredith Suter-Wadley Member Member since 2012

Where do you prefer to do your creative work?

At my desk at home or in an alpine village, very early in the morning.

Do you read literary journals and magazines regularly? If so, which are your favorites?

I read The New Yorker regularly. Recently, I've been concentrating on finishing my novel-in-progress, but I have subscribed to many literary journals, including Granta, A Public Space, AGNI, Conjunctions, Ploughshares, and The Paris Review. I love catching up on flash fiction at Smokelong Quarterly and Fractured Lit among many places.

Who are your literary (or artistic) heroes?

Bonnie Garmus. We belonged to the same writing group during her time living in Zurich. She shared several chapters of what became her first huge hit, Lessons in Chemistry, before relocating to London. We adored every word she wrote, of course! Another hero is the best-selling author and an old friend from my MFA days, Lidia Yuknavitch.

If you could only take one book on a ten-year voyage, what book would you choose?

I can't even go for an overnight stay without packing at least three books—one for a ten-year stint? Impossible!

How much of a typical day (or week) are you able to dedicate to your creative work?

Between writing, editing, and writerly admin things, I'm at my desk from four to six hours, seven days a week, starting at 5am. I love what I do!

What makes you procrastinate when you could be doing your creative work? What are your strategies for finding focus?

My love of research! The tangents I go off on mid-manuscript and the rabbit-holes I explore! Knowledge is never a waste, but it can be time-consuming. Of course, SM is an easy distraction as is the chance to do any outdoor activity like hiking, biking, and kayaking. I spent time cooking and baking, and I love a lazy evening in front of the TV. But my best strategy for maintaining focus is to get up early and get as much work done before the rest of my world (i.e. family) begins to distract me.

How do you celebrate your successes, such as acceptances? How do you handle rejections and other setbacks?

I do little living-room jigs when I'm notified of acceptances. Rejections and setback roll right off me. They belong to the job—and each is unique, some can be quite validating. If I'm tussling with either, I usually take myself outside for a long walk. I get my best thinking done while walking.

How much time do you spend reading for pleasure or edification?

I usually spend two or three hours at day reading.

Do you have a personal creative style? How would you describe it?

Literary and character-driven. Scenes of tense, quiet moments to build forward-moving dynamics. Subtle changes and dry wit.

Where do you find inspiration?

Books, family, friends, the gorgeous landscapes I access, and being active.

What single creative achievement are you most proud of?

I achieved my initial creative goal to get my short stories published and continued to build on that. Despite never thinking of myself as a novelist, I have two manuscripts, a full-length novel and a novella, which I'm now seeking representation for.

What fictional character would you most like to be?

Most of my own protagonists without their issues. Just their smarts.

What advice would you give to a young, budding writer (or artist) with less experience than yourself?

Do not give up.

For your first draft (or sketch), do you prefer analog or digital tools, or a mix?

I work digitally to write and edit and take notes by hand.

Do you incorporate generative AI/LLMs into your creative process? If so, how?

I do not. I will not.

Once, out of curiosity, I sampled AI, tasking ChatGPT to rewrite of a short story of mine in different styles, Elizabeth Strout, Sigrid Nunez, and Diane Williams—the liberties it took and the poor results it produced shocked and appalled me! It's heartless and works with stolen property.

What is your favorite word and why?

If. Small word: Big Window.

What would you like your epitaph to say?

Oh, fuck.

Are you an unreliable narrator?

I try to be!