Megan Taylor in the Spotlight

Megan Taylor, whose poem ‘Repot’ is published in issue 5 of Lucent Dreaming, is an English and Film graduate and Creative Writing postgraduate student from the Scottish Highlands. She has been writing since she can remember but found her love for writing poetry while studying at the University of Aberdeen. Her poetry explores the everyday and she believes that nothing is too ordinary to write about.

So, what inspired your piece ‘Repot’ and how did it find its way to Lucent Dreaming?

‘Repot’ was written in response to the first time I felt like an adult without it terrifying me. For a long time, and I think a lot of young people experience this, I felt as though I was stumbling through life and that I arrived at adulthood almost by accident. I had always felt unprepared for it when compared to my friends who were moving in with their partners and finding mortgage advisors and generally seemed to have a better grasp on adulthood than me. But one day I started to feel my age and it was a massive relief for me to feel like I wasn’t floundering and that I was where I was supposed to be.

One of my university lecturers told me that Lucent Dreaming were looking for submissions inspired by the word ‘lead’ for their fifth issue. I immediately wanted to submit ‘Repot’ as it is ultimately a poem about finding the confidence to lead your own way.

What does writing and art mean to you?

I love writing because it feels like it’s all mine. If I didn’t want another soul to read what I’ve written, I could keep it to myself. It’s therapeutic, fun and a little self indulgent. Mostly I write so I can make better sense to myself.

What are you most excited about right now and what writing/creative projects are you currently working on?

Since writing ‘Repot’ back in March I have helped to write and put on the play ‘Toothbrush’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019. I also recently submitted a longer piece of prose as my dissertation for my Masters degree in Creative Writing at the University of Aberdeen. Poetry remains my favourite past time though, and I continue to write it and post it on my Instagram account.

Tell us about some of your favourite books or art you’ve experienced – of all time or more recently. Why are they favourites?

Hollie Mcnish is my favourite poet/spoken-word Artist/author and probably person. I found her spoken word poetry on YouTube a few years ago and since then I’ve been slightly obsessed with her. I love how her poetry is so punchy and direct. I went to see her when she performed in Aberdeen this year and the whole room was in hysterics. My favourite poems of hers are ‘YANKING’,  ‘A DEAD PIG, I MEAN?’ and ‘LOVE’.

What advice would you give those who want to do what you do?

The best advice I could give to someone who wants to put their writing out there is to just do it! It’s so easy to feel embarrassed or insecure about people reading what you’ve written. It is incredibly vulnerable because it feels like you’re telling people ‘this is the best I can do’ every time you post or submit something. But getting feedback from the places you submit your work, and even from people online, can be really valuable and it’s good practice.

Where can people see more of you and your work?

I post my poetry under my Instagram handle @crimptheedges.
instagram.com/crimptheedges

Lucent Dreaming is an independent creative writing magazine publishing beautiful, imaginative and surreal short stories, poetry and artwork from emerging authors and artists worldwide. Our aim is to encourage creativity and to help writers reach publication! Subscribe to Lucent Dreaming now, support us on Patreon and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.