“I’ve had a lot of time to think and to take walks, and appreciate the beautiful Aspen scenery,” says Emily Miller, the October writer in residence for the Aspen Writer’s Foundation.

Historically, Aspen has always been a place where writers have found inspiration and the solitude they need to be creative.  The Aspen Writer’s Foundation has recognized this and reinvigorated their writer in residence program.  Every month, the Aspen Writer’s Foundation hosts a writer in residence, giving a writer a free place to stay away from the clamor and distraction of everyday life.

Author Emily Miller has been staying in a quiet cabin in Woody Creek for the last two weeks. A graduate of Princeton, where she majored in religion, Miller took a circuitous route to becoming a writer. She has her master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana and an MFA from the University of Florida in Gainesville.  Miller now lives in Washington D.C., with her husband, where she teaches and writes.  She has one published novel, Brand New Human Being.

Last week, I had the chance to sit down with Miller and discuss her work, her influences, and her thoughts about the Aspen community.

Miller could not be more excited to get away from her busy life for a month to enjoy the opportunity to focus on her newest novel.

“It’s been really nice,” she said, “except for a brief wasp infestation in the cabin where I’m staying.”

Miller has had a lot of time to think about her latest work in progress and take walks in the surrounding fields and woods.  Although she isn’t especially keen on sharing too much about her latest novel in progress, she was able to tell me that her upcoming book will have something to do with brothers.

Miller has been spending a good portion of her month soaking in the beautiful Aspen scenery, finding inspiration in the nature around her.  Miller, like many writers, says she finds inspiration in everyday life.

“Just keep your antennas up,” says Miller, “just by walking around I get inspired all the time.”

Another one of her major influences is reading: “I have always been a reader, it is what truly inspired me to start to write.”

As I asked for some suggestions for an author that might appeal to a high school student, names such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Judy Blume were among her favorites.

“Read everything you can get your hands on,” said Miller, “the more the better.”