Volunteer Spotlight: Megan Gold
Welcome to the Mighty Pens 2021! This year we have so many wonderful volunteers standing behind us and we want to make sure everyone gets the recognition they deserve. Each week, we’ll be spotlighting one or more of our volunteers, and they can tell you in their own words a little bit about them and why they are a part of the Mighty Pens team.
Last volunteer on my list this year is… myself! I am the person on the other side of the keyboard posting many of the blog posts you see here. For more about my writing journey (or sometimes not-writing journey), you can follow me on Instagram!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: This year has been an absolute roller-coaster for me! I’m back to working in person in a new position at my local zoo (I’m in events and it’s SO much fun!), but I’m also still working my side gig as a marketing writer. I also got married this year and am in the process of buying a house! So, it should come as no surprise that my NaNo has not gone great and I’m totally burnt out and ready for this year to be over 😅
Q: Tell us about your pets!
A: My cat is trying to kill me. His name is Toulouse (yes, he’s orange, for those who have seen Aristocats 😉) and I love him to death, but man, is this little devil vocal at the worst times of the day.
Q: What are you currently reading/watching? What was your last 5 star read?
A: Reading has been tough lately (for the reasons stated above), but I’m currently reading All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman. My last true five-star read was Redemtor (the sequel to Raybearer) by Jordan Ifueko.
My spouse and I have been doing a full MCU rewatch lately and loving all the shows, too. We are also obsessed with Ted Lasso.
Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A: Mostly a plotter! I don’t really sit down to start without a very detailed plan, but I do like to pants a few scenes right at the very beginning of building an idea.
Q: What’s your favorite writing snack or beverage?
A: No favorites, but I’m a coffee, tea, and wine drinker. But there is always, always, always water on my desk. Stay hydrated, folks!
Q: What’s in your ears while you write?
A: I make playlists for all my major WIPs, so I’m usually listening to those or similar vibe-y playlists. My Spotify is kind of a mess, but you’re more than welcome to check out some of my playlists here. All the Devils is this year’s NaNo and Witch on Fire is last year’s.
Q: Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before? Have you won? Are you participating this year?
A: Yes! I started in 2017 and won every year since. We’ll have to see about this year, though. It’s definitely been tough.
Q: What do you write? And if you can, tell us what you are working on now or will be working on for NaNo.
A: Fantasy! Mostly YA, but some of my WIPs are a bit more NA. I’m kind of working on two different projects right now. One is a fourth draft that I am still slugging through (I made a huge plot change this year and revisions are slow going). My NaNo novel is kind of a SIX OF CROWS x ACE OF SHADES type of story.
Q: Any advice for someone who is joining the Mighty Pens or NaNoWriMo for the first time this year?
A: Don’t push yourself past your limits. I’ve had some really great NaNo years before, but this year is teaching me a lot more about taking care of myself first.
Q: Are you a Mighty Pens vet or a newcomer? Why did you decide to become a volunteer?
A: Vet! This is my second year as a volunteer! It’s so much fun to get to interact with everyone and see the hard work that Kat and Sooz put in come to fruition.
Q: What’s your favorite part about the Mighty Pens?
A: Is t cliche to say the community? Seriously, though, it’s why we’re all here and keep coming back.
Q: Do you have a special connection to WeForest? Or just like raising money for a good cause?
A: I hadn’t heard of them before this, but they’re the perfect kind of organization to support right now!
Thanks, everyone for coming on this journey with me this year! I hope next year goes a lot smoother. 😅
