In this final part of my conversation with Susan Merrell (author of Shirley: A Novel, teacher in the MFA in Creative Writing & Literature at the Lichtenstein Center of Stony Brook Southampton, and co-creator, with the novelist Meg Wolitzer, of the BookEnds Fellowship novel revision program) we talk about where her personal throughline is leading her next and she shares how she’s been writing two different books for the last eight years (OMG).

We covered:

• Her two current book projects: one about a man haunted by a story he’s read and another about living full-time in a “vacation town” thought to be abandoned in winter

• Real estate privilege

• The books she includes on her writing syllabus and why

• Finding inspiration in everything, including cereal boxes

• Giving up the plum nature of her current life vs chasing the dream.

• Her friend’s philosophy—whatever move you make tends to be the one your feet took you to

• Why silence is her pick-me-up of choice

• Her friend’s magnificent roasted chicken

Connect with Susan at susanscarfmerrell.com.

For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.

Thank you for listening!

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