We recently had the chance to connect with Morgan Baker and have shared our conversation below.
Morgan, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My first grandchild – Elara – was born almost 7 weeks ago. She, her mom (my daughter) and her dad live with my husband and me. I wasn’t sure how that was going to go, but for the most part it really is lovely. I get to hold Elara a lot, I see how she changes from day to day, week to week. I feel like I’m helping them. We also have five dogs with us, which is a lot of dogs. My other daughter and her dog have been with us too, but she’ll be moving home soon. So joy – is my family.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi – I’m a writer and a teacher. I have been doing both for forty years or so. I started my writing career as a freelance feature writer for all sorts of papers and magazines – most of which began with “Boston” – Boston Globe, Boston Parents’ Paper, Boston Phoenix – you get it. I then started writing personal essays, many of which are published. I wrote and published my first memoir “Emptying the Nest: Getting Better at Goodbyes” at 65. I’m very proud of that. Now I’m working on a collection of essays about finding home. I have essays about leaving New York city as a child, moving to London briefly with my mother and my siblings, then moving to Cambridge when my parents divorce was final. I spent every summer on Martha’s Vineyard where I found stability and my grandmother. Late in life, my husband and I moved to Hawaii – something I never thought I would do.
I teach Magazine Storytelling and Creative Nonfiction at Emerson College, and I run CNF workshops privately (on Zoom) I am very lucky that I love what I do.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My husband. He has been my biggest supporter and fan over the 38 years we’ve been married. Where I doubted myself – as a mother, writer, teacher, he has been out there cheering me on, the way he cheered for our older daughter as a field hockey goalie, and our younger daughter on stage. I have been able to break out of my self doubt because of his belief in me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I put my memoir away for about three years. I thought I had put it away for good, but I brought it out and revised and futzed and got it published. Never give up. It may take longer than you think or want, but if you really want something, keep trying. I now know this.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Be kind. Be gentle. Respect others. Be grateful for the work others do for you. Love big.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they say I loved them. That I was a good friend, wife, mother, mother-in law, teacher. Maybe people will remember my writing – that would be nice, but I think I would like people to say, Oh Morgan, she knew how to love, how to laugh. And did you know at one point she had five dogs in her house?
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: morgan-baker-01446aa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morgan.baker.737/
Image Credits
Morgan Baker
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
