We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mathilde Merlot a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mathilde, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I have worked on was my first novel “Death at Vassar”. When March 2020 hit and the confinement obligations spread throughout the world I was half amused at the fact that everyone was concerned about now knowing what was going to happen next, how their work was going to be impacted. I had been freelancing for a long time and was familiar with this uncertainty. I knew I had to focus on a project. I had finished writing a bible for a TV series my co-writer and I would not be able to pitch given the circumstances. So I asked if I could take one of our episodes and flesh it out into a book, to which he enthusiastically agreed. I wrote “Death at Vassar” quickly and excitedly. On the contrary to being a screenwriter where you are the first link in a long chain, being an author meant few people, if any stood between my readers and myself. I finally decided to self-publish because I didn’t care to wait for anyone’s approval or validation. I had been writing for over a decade and was confident in the quality of my work. Yet everything surrounding self-publishing felt unfamiliar and much less exciting than the writing had! But when I asked talented friends for help, everyone pitched in. Soon, what had been an overwhelming project became a set of fun, smaller projects with friends to bring to life my Covid baby. I am currently finishing up the follow up book but “Death at Vassar” remains my first born, published thanks to the power of support and friendships.

Mathilde, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a French-born, American-raised novelist, screenwriter, and creative consultant based between Los Angeles and France. I decided to follow my love for storytelling and change careers in my late 20’s. Though it wasn’t easy, it certainly gave me a front seat to reinvention and taught me about having the courage to learn and pursue authentic creative expression when most were in the full swing of their careers.

I have been lucky to work internationally, which I find enriches my stories and has helped me create complex female characters and original storylines that challenge conventional narratives. My first novel, “Death at Vassar,” is a psychological thriller set in the 1950s that follows the dark and intricate journey of Madeleine Rousseau at Vassar College. I have co-written the soon-to-be-published “The Crippled Girl” with Lars Bill Lundholm, set in 1954 New York, and am developing a follow-up to “Death at Vassar” set in 1960s Paris.

Whether I’m writing my own novels or collaborating with clients, I aim to bring a level of authenticity and setting aside of one’s ego for the benefit of the project. In my creative consulting, I always emphasize that the primary satisfaction of a creative project comes from completing it, no matter the end result. I create plans with my clients that respect their time in order to set accessible goals, ensuring enthusiasm and satisfaction every step of the way. I love to demystify the creative process and make it not an intimidating one but rather an exciting one to help people express themselves. Everyone has stories to share, and though I select clients I may be best suited for, I always encourage everyone to move forward on a creative endeavor they hold dear!

I’m dedicated to creating and supporting stories that not only entertain but also provide different perspectives and challenge conventional thinking. Whether through my novels, screenwriting, or creative consulting, my goal is to contribute to a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of human nature.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

When I decided to dedicate myself to writing, I found joy in the process itself, whether I was working alone or collaborating with others. It was the act of writing which made me truly happy, though that doesn’t mean it was easy. There were times when I felt like my brain had been turned inside out, pushed to its limits. Writing is challenging and requires a level of self-discipline akin to that of a professional athlete. You can’t leave training to the last minute, it is a daily routine in order to sustain continuous output!

For a long time, I was content knowing that the satisfaction I craved came from the act of writing itself, not from external validation. I was truthful when I said I would be happy writing even if no one ever read my work.

But when I published my first book, an unexpected reward revealed itself. Firstly, I was awed that characters, who once lived only in my head, now danced in minds of humans I had never met and who sent me messages about them. And then, when I gave talks in bookstores, I was deeply moved by the people who took time out of their busy lives to hear a first-time novelist speak about the book, process, and inspiration. Often, these talks evolved into meaningful conversations and exchanges with the audience, who shared their own experiences and perspectives.

So while I continue to find writing rewarding in it of itself, the magic and beauty of art bringing people together—to connect, to exchange ideas, and to share stories- was the icing on an already delicious cake!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Firstly, I believe everyone is creative. I don’t think there are non-creatives out there. Creativity comes in all shapes and forms, and we all express it differently. Some people may work in fields where creativity isn’t at the forefront of their daily tasks, but it often emerges in other areas—like cooking, hobbies, or even in creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking.

I often get asked about how it feels to be so free in my creativity. I always answer that this freedom can be both exhilarating and daunting. Because of the choices I’ve made and the projects I’ve chosen to pursue, I am the captain of my own ship, steering it in the direction I choose. While this is amazing and often enviable, it also means I must forge ahead guided solely by my vision. This requires being a self-starter, having immense self-discipline, and navigating through waves of self-doubt.

There’s also a common misconception about creatives simply waiting for inspiration to strike. But, like athletes, if you’re not training daily, you won’t be ready to perform when it matters most. I can’t wait for an idea to magically appear before I begin writing. Instead, I juggle multiple stories in multiple formats at the same time, and every day, I show up to the page. I’ve trained my brain to recognize that this is a dedicated time for writing, and with that comes a hefty and tiring load of self-starting drive. Of course, there are days when the idea of showing up feels overwhelming, when doubt creeps in, when there is another edit to do, but the discipline to keep going is what sustains the creative life.

Unlike those who have structured performance reviews to measure their success against a company’s or a boss’s expectations, my creative life is free from those constraints. Yet, the attractiveness of the flexible schedule, loving your job, and being your own boss come at the cost of also baring your creativity to the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mathildemerlot.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathildemerlot/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/public/Mathilde-Merlot/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathilde-merlot-3b12b728
• Other: https://mathildemerlot.substack.com

Image Credits

Alex Alani-Rosenqvist