ABOUT MAIGEN

I started writing before I could read, scribbling jagged lines of letters and love notes to my parents, copying the way I saw them in my books.

In 2nd grade, I learned that I was incapable of writing fiction but was praised for telling a good story, even if she did have to give me a B on it for not following directions. I was confused but proud of myself for telling the truth.

When, in fourth grade, everyone else groaned at the mention of a new book report, I remember my heart filling with excitement. A new book to read and write about? I knew I was weird but didn't understand why.

By 6th grade, I actually enjoyed and aced every assigned essay and research paper but was always reprimanded and sometimes docked points for going over the page requirements. It was then that I discovered the importance of self-editing. This was around the same time that I discovered Harriet the Spy with Michelle Trachtenberg's perfect portrayal of everyone's least favorite tween busybody. I fell in love with her and devoured the book in a day. I learned nothing from Harriet's mistakes.

I was in 10th grade when my biology teacher assigned my first scientific research paper and I panicked but did the best I could. When he returned it he said, "I better see your name in Time magazine someday," and I realized that I might actually have a talent for something after all.

I joined the online journaling world of Diary-X at 16 and enjoyed chronicling the ins and outs of my own teen angst while reporting on all the high school social drama (nearly imploding my social life several times). I'll never forget the day I had 100 views and several comments on a particularly passionate post.

So, when it came time to choose a major in college, I picked Psychology. Naturally. This led to a career in early childhood care and education that was fulfilling and fun and everything I wanted. I didn't write a damn thing for nearly 14 years. Until I started blogging.

I was pregnant with my twins and I needed to memorialize this experience, to have a space to look back on and remember. I wrote one post about finding out it was twins and remembered, oh hey, I can write.

At 33 I published my first Family History Book, with the second to follow 5 years later. I have written over 25 articles for one of the top twin parenting resources online. And I'm just getting started.

I may have no formal education in writing, editing, or SEO but I am constantly learning how to optimize my talent and strive to deliver top-notch results every time. It may have taken many years, one set of twins, and several jobs but at nearly 40 I have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.