Today I’m welcoming Megan Cyrulewski, author of Who Am I? Thank you for stopping by, Megan!

All about Megan . . .

Megan Cyrulewski has been writing short stories ever since she was ten-years-old.  After attending Grand Valley State University, Megan eventually settled into a career in the non-profit sector for eight years.  She decided to change careers and went back to school to get her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  While in school, she documented her divorce, child custody battle and postpartum depression struggles in her memoir, Who Am I?, which is slated to be published in 2014 by Black Opal Books.  Megan lives in Michigan with her 3-year-old daughter who loves to dance, run, read, and snuggle time with Mommy.  Megan also enjoys her volunteer work with various organizations in and around metro-Detroit.

1. How did your life as a writer begin?

I majored in Journalism in college, but I kind of fell into the non-profit sector when I graduated. After 8 years, I quit working and went to law school. As I was dealing with everything that was going on while in school (see above) everyone told me I needed to write a book. While I was waiting for my Bar Exam results, I decided to write the book. When I didn’t pass the Bar, I decided to put my law career on hold and try to find a publisher.

2. What makes you feel inspired to write?

Anything. I keep a blog and while I know some people try to write on their blog everyday, I can’t do that. So I kind of wait until something inspires me to write.

3. How did you come with the idea for your current story? 

I’m currently working on my first work of fiction, a legal thriller. When I was in law school, I would sit in class and think, “This would make a really good plot.” With every law, there seems to be an exception. That’s what I like to write about. Those little known nuances in the law.

4. What is your usual writing routine?

I try to write a little each day, but sometimes I get caught up in other things such as marketing, freelancing or chasing after my 3-year-old daughter when she doesn’t have school. It’s definitely a balancing act.

5. What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?

This is probably going to sound extremely cheesy, but since I started my website and blog, I’ve received a ton of e-mails from people who have experienced many of the same issues I touch upon in my book. When I get an e-mail that thanks me for opening myself up, then it’s all worth it to me.

6. What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

If this is truly your passion, then you should write. When I was 25, I was a Director and making $55,000. I hated my job. I quit to pursue law school and now I’ve put my law career on hold to pursue writing. It does take sacrifice. I still live with my parents because it gives me the opportunity to write. People will judge you, and that’s okay. You have to do what makes you happy. I want my daughter to be proud of me, and I believe she will when she learns that I had the courage and the aspiration to pursue my dream.

7. Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I love baseball. I will be a Detroit Tigers fan until the day I die.

I danced for 14 years. I wanted to become a professional dancer and then I started getting back spasms and had to quit. Now, I dance vicariously through my daughter who started ballet this year.

I love old movies, and by old I mean from the 30s, 40s and 50s. I don’t even remember the last time I’ve been to the movie theatre. Give me an old movie any day!

Who Am I?

My book, Who Am I? is about my journey into post-partum depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, stays in the psych ward, divorce, domestic violence, law school, how I managed to graduate from law school, and a beautiful little girl who emerged from all of this chaos.

Connect with Megan Cyrulewski

Website:  www.megancyrulewski.com

Blog:  http://www.megancyrulewski.com/blog.html

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/authorMeganC?ref=hl

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MeganCyrulewski