54. Giving yourself permission to write now w/ Megan Clancy

For many parents, moms in particular, society perpetuates the idea that we should sacrifice everything for our children. So how do we push that aside and give ourselves permission to write now and pursue our creative dreams?

In this episode, you’ll hear how Megan Clancy did that—not only for herself but also the writers she coaches. Megan is a writer of upmarket women's fiction and queer contemporary romance, a book coach, a former high school English teacher, and a mother of two young children.

Needless to say, she has a lot to say on this topic.

So stay tuned to learn how she’s overcome these obstacles. And bonus: Find out how to own your identity as a writer today.

Topics discussed in this episode
  • Losing yourself and writing in parenthood
  • Fighting against societal norms
  • Changing your mindset
  • Setting boundaries with the family
  • Owning your identity as a writer now
  • Addressing the impossibility of writing dreams as mothers
  • Getting past mom guilt
  • Finding your confidence
  • Sapphic women’s fiction
  • Favorite books
About Megan:

Megan Clancy is a writer of upmarket women's fiction and queer contemporary romance. She has a BA in English/Creative Writing from Colorado College, an MFA from the University of Melbourne, and worked as a high school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer and book coach. She loves to travel, which frequently inspires her writing, and has lived and worked in Australia, Nepal, and the United States. She currently lives in California with her husband and two young children.

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Books discussed during the show:
  • The No-Show, by Beth O’Leary
  • Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus
  • Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, by Ashley Herring Blake
  • The Magic Treehouse, by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Dragon Masters, by Tracey West
  • I Built a House, by Chris Van Dunsen
  • Maybe, by Kobi Yamada
  • The Remember Balloons, by Jessie Oliveros
  • Robin and Her Misfits, by Kelly Ann Jacobson
  • Tinkerbell and Wendy, by Kelly Ann Jacobson
Join our online community

Looking for a community of passionate writers who understand your goals and struggles? Join my exclusive Facebook group, Parents Who Write, where you can attend weekly group writing sessions and find writing prompts, writing resources, and free weekly tutorials.


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ABOUT ME

Erin P.T. Canning has worked for 20 years as an editor, encouraging each writer’s individual voice and strengthening their writing goals.

She always planned to write a book, but life had a tendency to distract her. After dedicating six years of her life to motherhood and discovering her ADHD, she started writing again, even though she feared her writing skills had atrophied.

After letting go of her perfectionism, Erin finally finished her own shitty first draft and released her fantasy romance novel, Ruins and Redemption, in 2023. Her current role as a podcaster and book coach enables her to help writers pursue their author dreams.