Parents that Write: #9 Q&A with Megan Lee
PERMISSION SLIP: to create stuff that is 'messy experiment'
Welcome to my weekly interview column.
When conversation turns to parent creatives - writers and artists, especially mothers - the focus often shifts to the chaos and supposed impossibility of juggling creativity with parenthood.
—> Let’s CUT THE NOISE:
Parents publish books, drop albums, get screenplays optioned, and pour their souls into poems every single day.
How do they do it? That’s what we’re here to uncover.
I’m delighted to showcase talented parent-writers and creators as they answer eight bite-size questions, plus a few more they pick from a juicy list I send their way.1.
But before we meet today’s guest, here’s a peek behind the scenes of my own creative life.
No-Fluff Notes from my Writing Life
The hefty proposal that caught two publishers' attention had the working title: An Operating Manual for Ambitious Mothers. But away from their ‘how-to’ format, it could transform into something closer to what I truly wanted to share with readers. I knew if I wanted to make that shift, I’d need complete creative control, so I chose to self-publish.
For me, that leap wasn’t about avoiding traditional publishers. It was about taking back my creative freedom. If you’re wondering why I made that call, I’ve gone into more detail here and here.
But what came next-setting up my own imprint-was a different level of excitement. This wasn’t just about choosing a name; it was about laying the groundwork for something much bigger. I wanted a name that felt personal and packed with meaning, something that could hold everything I wanted to create.
What I hadn’t realised back then was how much weight a name could carry. It’s not just a label, it’s a statement of intent. This imprint wasn’t only about publishing NOISE; it was about giving life to ideas that really resonate with me. I found myself asking: Could this imprint one day publish other voices too?
NOISE would be my ‘guinea pig’. I thought that by publishing my motherhood book, and following it up with the fatherhood book a year later, I’d gain the experience I needed to figure things out. Two books in under two years would give me the clarity I was after—or at least, that’s what I believed at the time.
In the end, I named it Triumph Press. It clicked. Writing a book is a triumph in itself, but Triumph also connected to my personal life as the mother of triplets. It was a perfect fit, both as a nod to perseverance, and a reminder of some of what led me to that moment.
Next week, when I feature my guest , I’ll get into the business side of things—what I had to consider when Triumph Press became a reality and some of the key decisions I took to set it all up. Hope you’ll join me for the next step!
I’m thrilled to bring you today, author of
- her bold, candid, and humorous exploration of life’s messy, often uncomfortable moments. With her fresh and unapologetically sweary voice, she tackles topics like shame, vulnerability, and ‘the human experience’ with wit and brutal honesty.
Share a broad snapshot of your life. Who are you parent to and/or have caring responsibilities for?
Hi! I'm Megan. Marketer by day job. Writer by night. And full-time single parent to my wonderful 8 year old daughter named Amelia!
Why a full-time single parent? Well, it turns out out that ignoring allllllll of the red flags, toxic abuse oh, and getting married at the ripe old age of 21 is the exact recipe for becoming a full-time single parent. Fun times!
Indeed, having my daughter at age 22, getting diagnosed and going through Thyroid cancer treatment at age 23 and getting divorced by age 25 feels about as fun as jumping from an airplane naked, unsure if your parachute is strapped correctly and oh my god-- you're flying through the air and then you've landed and that was a painful re-entry to earth goddamnit but once the dust settles you realize you are a badass and if you can get through that you can get through anything.
In all seriousness though, I wouldn't trade the lessons I've learned or the humbled moments motherhood has brought me. This is my path and I'm here to make it more iconic than the Camino de Santiago beautiful.
Where can we find you?
Website |
Can you share favourite praise for your writing, or words you’d love to read about your work?
"Megan, I'm howling! That raw dog metaphor... 😂🙈 I can't stop laughing, but also, I so relate to that feeling of wanting to unleash my inner wild child but being terrified of judgment. It's like a constant battle between my 'zero fucks given' self and my 'people-pleasing' self. Thanks for putting it into words so hilariously!" - Alexander
Making people howl with laughter, and feel like they're not alone, are two of my absolute most favorite things. 😂🙏
Why do you write?
Because my soul holds a gun to my head and says "you better write, bitch". 🔫
Ok fine. Maybe the situation isn't quuuuuite as extreme as that but writing is something that feels as vital to my soul's health as breath is to my lung's livelihood.
In short? I write because it fills my soul with joy.
What does the inside of your writing mind look like?
Just today I had a thought: "Huh. You know, I think my writing mind looks like Pablo Picasso's paintings. Strange and weird and most definitely not like the others." 😅😂
How is your ability to write affected by being a parent and your ability to parent affected by your writing?
It's definitely a lot more of a sacrifice to find time to write, that's for sure! But I guess in someways, that makes it all the more precious. And you treasure it more, you know? It's almost like a thrilling challenge to fit it all in.
And, writing is a lot like holding up a mirror. I'm able to process and understand things about myself that prior where only muffled feelings within me. And the more self awareness, the more you're able to show up as the best version of yourself as a parent. Which is so beautiful.
How often do you write with your child around or not, and what kind of writing do you get done when your child is nearby?
My daughter sees me writing frequently! Whether my daily morning journal practice or my newsletter writing.
With that being said, I do try and get the majority my writing time in after she's in bed or when she's engaged in other activities.
But sometimes? If I'm on a time crunch to get something finished I'll work on my writing in-between cooking dinner, finishing work, or even alongside her doing her homework.
Or, I'll tell her: "I'm working on my newsletter now, but I'd love to play that game with you when I'm done!".
When writing with my daughter nearby and lots going on, I'd be willing to bet that it is cause for a lot more editing time on the back end. 😂 However... I'd still rather take messier than normal thoughts written down than no thoughts written down at all!
What is your best writing habit and how did you discover it?
My best writing habit is actually something that happens before the "writing" actually starts!
The moment a brilliant idea or thought or phrase comes into your mind, no matter if you're washing dishes or cooking dinner or having sex buying groceries, write it down in a notebook (or Notes app) IMMEDIATELY.
Before you know it, you'll have a massive list of brilliant starting points just waiting to be turned into whatever you want it to be!
Trust me, I've learned the hard way that brilliant ideas go poof faster than a disappearing rabbit in a magicians hat if you don't document them write right away. It's a maddening feeling that you can't remember WHAT the brilliant idea was, but you can still FEEL the brilliance of it, and the knowledge that it is gone forever. 😭
What are the three most important characteristics of being a writer who is a parent?
⏩ Patience - With yourself and your kiddo! There's lots going on in life as a parent, and if you can't be patient during the extra busy times, you're going to set yourself up for massive frustration.
⏩ Adaptability - Kids are great for throwing you curveballs, and if you can't adapt to all the changes and stages of rearing a child, your writing is going to be doomed. So, you have to be adaptable and write when you get the time, and be flexible if/when things change.
⏩ Perseverance - Somedays it's going to be hard AF to keep going when all you want is a goddamn break, zero responsibility, and to go cower under the blankets for a millennium or two.
What or who is your secret writing weapon?
Humor. Hands down.
I loooove to laugh. I loooove sarcasm. And I loooove swearing. And humor is the beautiful love child of that wholesome three-some.
And for better or worse, that humor style gets infused into just about everything I write.
What or who has been the most significant creative influence in your life?
Oh lord, I hate myself for saying this because I feel like it's so cliche but... pain has probably had the most significant creative influence. And, of course... looking up to other leaders in the humor meets hilarious writing space. , Jen Cincero, and Laura Belgray, among many others including comedians and actors and actresses with hilarious films/shows.
But if it wasn't for the really hard times in my life, I don't know that I would have dug so deep and found a way to express myself creatively through writing like I do now.
What are your coping tactics for being (constantly) interrupted in your thought process?
Coping tactics include:
- Screaming FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in my head. Works wonders!
- Document a great thought the moment it pops into your mind before it gets lost to a "moooom!!!" and is gone forever.
- Remember that sometimes it's best to Abort Mission when things are extra crazy instead of trying to power through. Spinning wheels don't get you anywhere faster!
- Imagining Jason Mamoa whispering in my ear: "...you're doing a great job 😘"
You’re a writer: name 3 of your procrastination techniques.
1. Deciding that NOW RIGHT NOW is the exact moment to browse seriously scour Pinterest for the perfect home decor inspiration.Feng Shui is not to be taken lightly!!!
2. Substack Notes. That dirty, dirty dopamine hit. Tis a problem! 😅
3. Searching Google Flights like I can afford to go anywhere I want. Milan next month? Paris in April? Vienna in June? And then I sob for 17 minutes straight.
What unfinished writing projects do you have lying about?
During the year of 2023, I kept a digital diary throughout the entire year, with the plan of turning it into a memoir of sorts. Kind of like... "Here's my messy, messy REAL life behind the scenes. See! You do NOT have to feel so bad about your messy life anymore 😂".
I have yet to go back and touch it and read through my entries, because I'm terrified at what I might find. 😅 We'll see, those entries aren't going anywhere! So maybe I will go back and turn it into a book at some point.
An Encore
“Hold the reader’s attention. (This is likely to work better if you can hold your own.) But you don’t know who the reader is, so it’s like shooting fish with a slingshot in the dark. What fascinates A will bore the pants off B.” - -
I love the way Megan says she captures brilliant ideas IMMEDIATELY. How about you? What do you do the moment a brilliant idea or thought or phrase comes into your mind?
And, that feeling she talks about ~ the ripples of the brilliant (lost) idea. Is there a word for this? I’d love to know!
I always love to read what you’re thinking so drop any thoughts in the comments below.
To read guest the full list of questions read this interview
This was an absolute delight to participate in, thank you so much for including me! AND putting up with my strikethroughs, AND for surprising us all with that delightful Jason Mamoa gif 🙏😂 Also, after this went live my immediate thought was: what kind of over-inflated egotistical human equates herself with Picasso?!?!?! For shaaaaame. 😂
Love this collaboration! ❤️❤️ And love you even more now Megan!