Before digital and mobile communications effectively tethered us to an invisible, infinite 'wire,' even those with the most hectic schedules were usually willing to answer the phone if they happened to be home when it rang. Meghan Daum answercommunicationdigital share on social
I started off doing fiction in 1993. It didn't occur to me to do nonfiction because it wasn't a thing yet. So I was bumbling around, writing short stories, and then I took a nonfiction workshop, and I realized that this was what I was supposed to do. Meghan Daum bumblefictionnonfiction share on social
The first person is a tradition I relate to and that I use; historically, it's been the voice I work in. But the hair on the back of my neck stands up when I'm referred to as a 'confessional' writer. Meghan Daum backconfessionalhair Change image and share on social
Confessions are not processed or analysed; they're told in a moment of desperation to a priest or to somebody interrogating you about a crime. Meghan Daum analyseconfessioncrime Change image and share on social
I respond to about a quarter of comments. It's a good barometer of my mental health - when I'm healthy and busy, I don't read them. Meghan Daum barometerbusycomment Change image and share on social
It's not that I don't get on bandwagons; I just climb aboard only after most of the band has packed up and left for the next gig. Meghan Daum aboardbandbandwagon Change image and share on social
Air travelers, of course, are famous for their hubris. They carry on too many bags and use the restroom when the seat-belt sign is on. Meghan Daum airbagbelt Change image and share on social
Almost nothing is more tedious than complaining about the weather. Meghan Daum complaintediousweather Change image and share on social
The point of essays is the point of writing anything. It's not to tell people what they already think or to give them more of what they already believe; it's to challenge people, and it's to suggest alternate ways of thinking about things. Meghan Daum alternatechallengeessay share on social
Of the countless ways to feel old in your 40s, perhaps none is quite as perplexing as seeing a young person trendily decked out in 1980s-style garb and saying to yourself, 'I can't believe that look is back in style. It was bad enough the first time around!' Meghan Daum 1980s40sback share on social
