Tag: writing

Shedding the Shoulds

Posted on by Melanie

My latest essay for my Substack, Midlife Rewrite, is now live. It’s a personal reflection on the long journey of trying to write in the genres I loved as a reader—epic fantasy and sci-fi—and the liberating discovery that my own voice was waiting for me somewhere else entirely.

This piece is about moving past the pressure of external expectations and the creative graveyard of unfinished projects to finally trust the stories we are meant to tell. It’s the core of what the “Midlife Rewrite” is all about.

Shedding the Shoulds by Melanie Parkinson

Read on Substack

Originally published on Midlife Rewrite. Subscribe there to join me on this journey of creative exploration and honest storytelling.

Launching My Substack: Midlife Rewrite

Posted on by Melanie

I’m excited to share that I’ve launched a new Substack publication called Midlife Rewrite! My inaugural post is below, but I’d love to have you subscribe to get future essays and stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Midlife Rewrite is where I share personal essays about navigating this strange and wonderful phase of life where we finally get to ask “What do I want?” without feeling guilty about the answer. You’ll also find short fiction—some inspired by my own journey, some purely imagined—all filtered through the perspective of someone who’s lived long enough to know that the most interesting stories are often the messiest ones.

I’m writing for anyone who’s ever felt caught between who they’ve been and who they want to be. Anyone looking around at their beautifully constructed life and wondering, “Now what?” Anyone who’s discovered that midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a gift. The gift of finally having the experience, confidence, and freedom to write your own story.

Welcome to Midlife Rewrite by Melanie Parkinson

My new chapter begins

Read on Substack

Originally published on Midlife Rewrite. Subscribe there to join me on this journey of creative exploration and honest storytelling.