Maggie van Galen – 55
Award-Winning Children’s Book Author, Wordsmith, Editor
About me
My tagline is “Always Follow Your Dreams!”
It can take time to figure out what those dreams may be, and that’s okay as long as you strive toward them every day. I truly feel that I am living my dream! I am loving living it!
I grew up in northern Michigan and have written from the time I could hold a pen. I graduated from Michigan State University, studying advertising, journalism, and creative writing.
There were many career paths, states, and countries along the way. After starting my family, the children’s stories began to flow, and my life as an author and wordsmith began.
What do you do and why do you do it?
Words are my gig! I am an awarding-winning children’s book author and wordsmith offering writing services for content for social media, marketing literature, blog posts, and websites. I write journalism features, video scripting and offer proofreading and editing services.
My tagline is Always Follow Your Dreams and I think this is such an important message for everyone. It’s not always a straight or easy path, but as long as you have those dreams in your thoughts, they will come true!
My goal is to inspire people, especially the younger generations to stay true to themselves.
What changed for you after age 50?
I feel like I have become wiser and more confident in who I am! I know that sounds a bit corny, but it’s true. It’s not that I know or understand everything, but certainly myself. I am comfortable with my abilities and quite happy to say no to things.
What would you tell the 20 or 30-year-old YOU?
It will come! Continue on the path you’re on and follow your dreams! Relax and have fun! Don’t feel like you have to follow the herd.
ALWAYS treat people the way that you want to be treated. I would also suggest that I unpack all the “baggage” from childhood prior to having children of my own!
What do you think you’ll tell yourself in retrospect at the end of your life?
Oof, that’s a deep question! I think/hope I will tell myself that I’m proud of the person, woman, mother, wife, and writer I was.
What impact do you think increased visibility can have on your business?
Both as an author and a content writer, I think it will lend credibility to what I do. Most of my writing gigs come through referrals, so having more visibility can only help to increase my business.
Who or what inspires you and why?
I am deeply inspired by nature and the natural world. My supreme power, if you will, is Mother Nature. She is a force to be reckoned with, a healer, a guiding light, and a comfort to me.
