Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Malorie Reid. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Malorie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

Before I’m gone and when I’m gone, I want people to be able to engage with my work and say, “Damn, she really writes her ass off.” I also want them to remember my name and how it’s spelled. (You’d be surprised how hard this is for people.)

My creativity expresses itself most strongly via writing, and so I want to build a legacy of having stretched my writing muscle as much as I possibly could. That’s something I’ve already been working on, as I’ve studied and composed poetry, journalism, creative nonfiction, fiction… there are still things I haven’t yet tried! I love learning and trying out new skills.

I also feel part of my legacy will involve my home state of Florida. I’m not quite sure how or what, but the desire is certainly there.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

So I’m one of those people who has been writing their entire lives, and when I think about it, I’ve also been consulting for what feels like just as long–I was helping classmates edit their papers back in high school!

I went to undergrad for English, and later graduate school for journalism, and for the past ten years I’ve been freelance writing as well as consulting. I’ve gotten my own work published, been accepted to a number of workshops and fellowships such as The Kenyon Review, edited three nonfiction manuscripts for clients, and most lately, took on a brief business partnership with a public relations firm. I have a sharp eye for typographical errors and other ways to sharpen copy, and I enjoy editing as well, which I do a lot of in my day job as a copywriter.

I truly love words, and I love being able to use my skills to aid others–I understand that writing does not flow with ease for everyone. That’s where I come in.

I’m really proud of the strides I’ve been able to make–when I graduated from journalism school, I knew that I did not want a career in the field, which left me wondering what exactly I would do to feel like the time, effort, and money I’d put into the degree meant something. I knew that I wanted to be able to orient myself toward growing my skills while being able to help others, while also still having the time to focus on my personal writing goals and the flexibility to raise my children. Certainly not a straightforward job description! Over the years, I’ve found a way to create what I’ve needed. It’s a constant work-in-progress, but I am so grateful.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Other people, honestly! Earlier in the journey, I felt insecure about whether I was a “real” writer, and I could be a bit cagey. It felt difficult to reach out to others and to attempt to network, especially when I didn’t live in the places where everything seemed to be happening. (Even when I lived in one of those places, the insecurity abounded.)

But, a closed mouth will not get fed. People are often our greatest resource, and I found that as I worked on dealing with my insecurities and opened myself up more, I would often get people dropping opportunities and information into my figurative lap.

By the way–if you write, you are a real writer. Full stop.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Fulfilling what I’ve been put here on Earth to do. Yes, there are the other things (who doesn’t want to say they are a New York Times Bestseller?) but none of it matters if I’m not always walking in my purpose. It may be cliché, but I will be writing even if I make no money and no lists, because I love it, and I was put here with something to say.

Knowing that I’ve touched someone’s life with something that I’ve created is a soul-filling kind of reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://wwww.maloriereid.com/
• Other: Malorie Writes! (https://maloriereid.substack.com/)

Image Credits
Photo credit for Earthseed flyer: @oftenoftenoftenoften All other images can be credited to me, Malorie Reid