Author Alyssa Songsiridej Shares Insight with MFA Writers

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Earlier this month, the MFA Organization hosted author Alyssa Songsiridej as part of their Local
& Visiting Writers Series.
An accomplished and rising author, Songsiridej is a 2022 National Book Foundation “5 Under
35” honoree. She treated a small gathering of MFA Creative Writing students and alumni to an
excerpt from her novel, Little Rabbit, which was shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel
Prize and was a finalist for both the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Edmund White Award.
The discussion centered on the distinctions between the roles of writer and editor—an area where
Songsiridej’s expertise shines. Having formerly worked as an editor for a literary magazine, she
brought a dual perspective, offering thoughtful guidance on how writers can separate drafting
from editing to produce their best work.
Songsiridej described the essence of Little Rabbit as a meditation on “art, power, and sex.” She
read two excerpts to the audience: the first chapter, which introduces the nameless protagonist’s
initial encounter with a wealthy choreographer, and the third chapter, in which the protagonist
confides in her best friend and roommate, Annie, about a romantic entanglement with the same
choreographer.
The two excerpts served as perfect bookends for her talk. Songsiridej revealed that the first
chapter remained largely untouched during the revision process, while the third underwent a
complete overhaul—a testament to her willingness to embrace change during editing.
“Embrace being an inefficient writer,” she advised the students. Songsiridej encouraged them to
step away from their work and return to it later, ideally with a fresh perspective. Her core
message was clear: allow your ideas to evolve and approach your drafts as a “new person.”
She also shared her unconventional drafting method: writing all first drafts by hand before
transitioning to digital formats only after multiple revisions. While acknowledging that this
approach might seem old-fashioned, she emphasized its effectiveness in fostering creativity.
Songsiridej also stressed the importance of keeping the “critical voice out of the room” during
drafting. Drafting, she explained, should be a space for uninhibited exploration, free from the
constraints of self-editing.
The MFA Organization will continue to host authors through its Local & Visiting Writers Series,
offering opportunities for short readings, creative advice, and discussions with other writers. For