I'm so proud of my friend Dawn Meehan, who is a contestant on Survivor this season. I've never followed the show before, but you bet I am now.
In this video, Dawn talks about being a mom, and how she involved her kids in her Survivor preparations. I get very excited encouraging other moms not to neglect themselves but to find and pursue their passion, their creative outlet. It's a balancing act for sure, and I'm constantly checking in with myself and my family to make sure my writing life isn't overwhelming my family life or vice versa. But I'm a better person and a happier mom for being a writer too.
I love that Dawn had this impossible dream, and she made it happen! Everyone's dream is different. Funny enough, being a contestant on Suvrivor is also on my to-do list, right under "Eat own eyeballs" and "Play tennis with a Blanc Mange." (Actually, the latter rates quite a bit higher still.) Rough it in the wild, go without sleep or food or bed, swim or run till you vomit, immerse yourself in a backstabbing high school environment, go without shampoo or makeup on national television? Count me OUT. But I'm so excited to see Dawn do it!
Man, I'm surrounded by awesome, creative moms!
I try to help my own mother be able to do pursue her goals, outside of the family circle. She works so hard every day. It feels nice to give her a hand and let her do something for herself for a change.
Posted by: Christen | September 16, 2011 at 03:43 PM
Dawn is one brave woman! I think the scariest aspect is the high school environment. That's worse than sleeping on a bed of twigs and eating stuff that's still moving.
Posted by: Calliope1of9 | September 16, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Your bit about balancing things made me want to cheer! I had that kind of Mom -- she was always there when we came home, but one night a week, we hung out with Dad so she could pursue music. I think of her example a lot as I'm now trying to balance writing and my little family.
Posted by: MKHutchins | September 16, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Tennis with a Blanc-Mange! Monty-Python for the win!
Posted by: Elenatintil | September 17, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Wow! Good for her, she had my crying several times. I think it's so great to see these amazing mothers go after their dreams.
I think that taking time for ourselves, makes us better mothers. I LOVE this! Thank you. I'll definitely pay attention to survivor this season.
Posted by: Emily | September 17, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Okay, that's just the kindest post ever, Shannon. And coming from YOU that really does mean a lot. Thank you, chica! 8)
Posted by: Dawn | September 17, 2011 at 10:17 AM
No! Not tennis with a Blancmange! Everyone knows he'll just try to turn you into a Scotsman!
Posted by: Brooke Shirts | September 17, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Wow, what a cool lady! I love her attitude--that she and her whole family have already won. I'll be rooting for her!
Posted by: Kim | September 18, 2011 at 08:27 AM
Will you do a post on how you juggle writing and kids? My creative energy is completely sapped.
Posted by: Amber Argyle | September 18, 2011 at 08:24 PM
For a second I read that as playing tennis with Blancmange, and I thought "What's Shannon got against Neil Arthur?"
But then I considered you might just be thinking of using a custard instead of a tennis ball? Messy, but *flan*-tastic fun.
HAH! Flan-tastic... I should write copy, seriously.
"He is nae so much a man, as a giant blanc mange!"
Posted by: Marcus Aurelius | September 19, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Cool! I love that show and now I'll definitely be rooting for Dawn.
Posted by: Abigail | September 19, 2011 at 03:27 PM
I JUST realized that Austenland is being made into a film. I am so excited to see the book on film -- and uber-duber-excited that Keri Russell is playing Jane. I hope you are happy with how the filming is going!
Posted by: MJ | September 19, 2011 at 05:05 PM
ings do not change;we change.sell your clothes and keep your thoughts
Posted by: Nike Free Running | February 04, 2012 at 12:05 AM