We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Macy Lane. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Macy below.

Hi Macy, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

For years, I have dreamed of being a writer. First, I envisioned myself working for a fashion magazine in New York City. I started college as a journalism major, but I never felt confident or supported, so I switched my field of study to education. I spent 20 plus years in the classroom, with a big gap in the middle while I stayed home raising my three boys, and all the while, I dreamed of writing.

Over the course of 25 years, I would write essays and blog posts and poems, but never dared call myself a writer. And still, the dream persisted. I never lost the vision of me, sitting at a desk, a warm cup of tea next to me, while I wrote to my heart’s content.

During the pandemic, while schools were closed and we found ourselves at home with a plethora of time, I wrote poems that were intended as resources for the teachers I collaborated with at work. But those poems sat forlornly in my Google Drive because I was too scared to share them with my colleagues.

Years passed and I tinkered with the poems even more. I delved into Canva, investigated self-publishing options, and taught myself skills so I could turn my poems into a series of children’s books. The books focus on the development of 12 specific character traits in kids. I created a series called The Great Trait Mates.

I worked for months getting my files correct and the books designed just how I liked. I created Inquiry Lane, LLC and jumped through the necessary hoops to make myself legitimate. And in the summer of 2024, I took a huge risk and ‘launched’ my books.

It is terrifying to put yourself out there! Imposter syndrome is a real thing. But my dream of being discovered by an agent and traditionally published had not happened (yet). The poems I wrote are very much tools for teachers and parents to use with kids, so I didn’t want to wait to share them with the world.

I decided that I should self publish these books through Inquiry Lane, LLC and work to market them to schools and parents.

It hasn’t been easy. There are so many things I still don’t know, but I try to make forward progress everyday, no matter how small it may be. It has been slow to gain traction, but I am proud of myself and grateful that I decided to take this risk. The feedback I have received from people who have bought the books has been positive and that helps a lot.

As a matter of fact, one of the Great Trait Mates is a character named Ruby the Risk-Taker! How could I write about healthy risk-taking, encouraging children to be brave and bold, and not follow that advice myself?

I didn’t want to look back and wonder, ‘what if…”

Macy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Macy Lane and I am a lifelong educator. I spent 20+ years in elementary schools, but my secret passion has always been to be a writer. In February 2023, I resigned from my position as an elementary IB Coordinator and committed myself to following my lifelong dream!

I own an business called Inquiry Lane, LLC and I create educational resources for teachers and parents to use. The resources I am most proud of are a series of picture books called The Great Trait Mates. They are poems formatted as picture books that showcase 12 different character traits. These books are wonderful tools for teachers and parents to use as springboards for reflective conversations with kids about the importance of developing values and character traits to last a lifetime!

Additionally, I have created activities to accompany The Great Trait Mates series, as well as making myself available for school visits to share the books with students in person.

I continue to write books for children of all ages and am not giving up on my dream of being traditionally published someday.

My most proud accomplishment is that I decided to take this risk and break out of the norm. I choose the path less traveled. And while it is scary to be so vulnerable by putting my creative works out into the world, I am proud that I continue to show up every day to work hard at accomplishing my dreams and goals.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The driving mission and goals for my creative journey are multi-faceted. To begin with, helping teachers and parents so that they can better help children is my life’s work. Creating art that can be used to ignite reflective conversations with students is impactful to me.

Another goal that propels me onward is the knowledge that I am leaning into my core values of living an authentic life and creating connections with others. I value authenticity and connection above all and by following my dream, I am giving life to each of those principles.

Lastly, I am motivated by the fact that there is the chance that my vulnerability by putting myself out there might inspire someone else to follow their dreams.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The writing community is vast and supportive. Organizations such as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (which has a national chapter as well as local chapters all across the US), Julie Hedland’s 12 x 12 Writing Challenge, and The Writing Barn in Austin, Texas are all resources that I wish I had known about and connected with earlier in my career.

Through one of those organizations, I was able to become a member of a critique group that is comprised of intelligent, vibrant, supportive women. Writing can feel quite solitary and isolating at times, but there are so many avenues to connect with others while also honing your craft.

I wish I had known about these resources sooner and then had the courage to reach out and invite them into my life.

Whatever it is that your heart sings to do, I promise there are others out there who can help you! You just have to be open to letting them in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.macylanewrites.com
• Instagram: @inquirylane @macylanewrites
• Facebook: Macy Browning Lane, macylanewrites
• Linkedin: Macy Lane
• Other: TikToK @inquirylane

Image Credits

Sondra Talbert Primeaux