Mysterious Interviewer: Hey Suzanne, why do you write?
Suzanne: Well, why do you breathe? Because it’s innate and it beats the alternative, right? There you go.
Mysterious Interviewer: *Rolls eyes.* Cut the crap and answer the question.
Suzanne: Fine. I wrote a lot in elementary school. But as a kid, (and now) I struggle(d) with perfectionism. When I realized I wasn’t always going to be the goose who laid the golden story-egg, I stopped writing. However, the impulse remained, always at the back of my brain. Fast forward to approximately 2016. I had my dream job as physical therapist, my dream partner, and a wonderful group of friends, but I still wasn’t happy. One day a patient asked if I was a writer. Even though I hadn’t written much in fifteen years, I intuitively said yes. This led to a lot of introspection. Eventually, I decided to pursue writing seriously. Once I did, that sense of lingering dissatisfaction vanished.
Mysterious Interviewer: Great, now we’re cooking with gas. Let’s go deeper. Why are you pursuing publication rather than scribbling into a notebook under the cover of blankets?
Suzanne: Oh, so you want to go there? Cool, cool. Give me a second to shake off the remaining snark. *rolls shoulders.* OK. Here’s the for real answer: it’s complex. I’ve lived a pretty darn good life, but I do live on Earth so it hasn’t been all kittens vomiting sunshine. During challenging times, I’ve found two consistent sources of comfort: the people I hold dear, and stories. Both made me feel seen. Both made me feel a part of something greater than myself. Both provide pleasant distractions. I can’t replicate my relationship with my family, friends, and partner, and put it out into the world for others, but I can write stories.
OK, Mysterious Interviewer, are you happy now?
Mysterious Interviewer: Yes.
Suzanne: Good. Now that we’re done with serious mode, I have a joke. Two cupcakes are in the oven and-
At five months, inspired by my giant floor companion, I uttered my first word: “doggie.” I’ve been all about words (and dogs) ever since.
I don’t know how this happened to me, a supposed dog person, but my husband and I have two cats. They run our lives and I’m completely besotted. Let me show you pictures! It will only take a few hours.
I am, and always have been, proudly 300% nerdy. Cases in point:
In high school, I was co-captain of both the debate and knowledge bowl teams.
The first conversation I had with my husband was about the (at the time) lack of hierarchical organization system in iOS for iPad.
Our cats (Anova and Kendall) are named after statistics functions.
I love to dance. I’ve mostly done Lindy Hop and Blues, though I’m always excited to learn new styles and/or for stand-in-a-circle-and-wiggle dancing.
Speaking of dance, here’s a short list of places I’ve danced deliberately, in public, with a partner:
In a movie theater during previews.
In front of my college organic chemistry class (my partner accidentally dropped me at the end).
In Australia’s capital building.
If you tried to make me decide between my morning workout and my morning coffee, I would give an impassioned speech about why I deserved both until you relented, you monster.
I have strong opinions on: pens, cilantro, goat cheese, and the proper pronunciation of the words Spokane and Gonzaga.
I hold a B.S. in Biology and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). I told you, 300% nerd.
What’s that you say? You are unsatisfied with this random assortment of tidbits and you want to know more about me as a writer? I suppose I can do that, too. Click here.
Stephen King says “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” I love reading, so no complaints here. However, after staring at more than one title thinking “have I read this before?” I realized I have the memory of a goldfish.*
Thus, about a year and a half ago I started to keep a log. This means when a friend asks “have you read anything good recently?” instead of saying an enthusiastic “YES!” followed by awkward silence, I can follow that “YES” with hours of book recommendations. My enthusiasm causes me to speak faster and faster until my words blur into a high pitched squeak and my friend ends the phone call before they get a headache. My more headache prone friends have learned to only ask me about reading over text. OK, the last two-and-a-half sentences might be an exaggeration.
For giggles, I compiled some statistics about my 2020 reading life, then make up my own totally inconsequential book awards. As of 12/20/20, I read eighty-seven books. Ten were non-fiction, seventy-seven were fiction.
The book with the most beautiful prose award:
This is How You Lose the Time War– Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. El-Mohtar is also a poet, and it shows. Here’s a quote: “I want to meet you in every place I ever loved. Listen to me. I am your echo. I would rather break the world than lose you.” The entire book is that beautiful.
The book which almost made me cry award: (two way tie)
It takes a lot for media to make me cry. Getting me to almost tears is an achievement.
The Beginning of Everything– Robyn Schneider. Human brains are complex. We can feel multiple emotions at the same time. If you need proof, read this book and prepare to feel everything. If you’ve dealt with the intensity of someone important moving into and/or out of your life , this story will make you feel seen.
The book which made me laugh the most award:(two way tie)
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions On Writing And Life– Anne Lamott. This is a well respected non-fiction work on the process of writing. In my experience, writing advice tends to fall into one of two categories: “lets talk about the nuts and bolts of plot, character development, etc,” or “you can do it little writer!” Lamott’s work fits in the second category. It’s also hilarious. Her brand of hyperbole driven humor had me laughing out loud.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson– John Green and David Levithan. This story is narrated by Will Grayson and Will Grayson, two high schoolers with the same name. When they accidently meet in a porn store neither planned to enter, hijinks ensue. If you’re looking for a good example of distinctive character voice, this is the book for you.
The books which changed my worldview award: (two way tie)
The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain, And Body In The Healing Of Trauma– Bessel van der Kolk. A patient recommended this book to me, and I’m so glad I read it. In physical therapy school we learn that emotional trauma can impact prognosis. Learning about the connection between emotional and physical health more in depth and from the perspective of a psychologist helped improve not only my physical therapy practice, but my ability to be an empathetic person in the world.
Made up awards and colorful pie charts aside, reading helped keep me afloat in 2020. It helped me escape when I was sick of the real world, and helped me feel seen when I felt invisible. This is why I read. This is why I write.
Congratulations on having survived most of 2020, friends. May next year be easier.
*I did the research. Apparently goldfish can remember for up to five months. Thus, my memory for what I read is worse than a goldfish. C’est la vie.
Suzanne Miller, Writer 