Making Space for What Calls You
A conversation with author and coach Megan Walrod about creativity, healing, and the stories that set us free
One of the biggest challenges I hear from women (and often wrestle with myself) is how to create space for our creative dreams.
We want to write the book, start the thing, listen to the tug of inspiration. But between our daily to-do lists (and a healthy dose of imposter syndrome), it can be easy to put those parts of ourselves on hold, convincing ourselves it’s not the right time.
I think that’s why I was so moved by Megan Walrod’s debut novel, It’s Always Been Me. Megan wrote this book during a season of deep personal upheaval, and in doing so, reclaimed something essential in herself.
The novel’s heroine, Sabina, is on a similar journey—rediscovering her voice, trusting her own intuition, and honoring the creative life she was always meant to live.
I asked Megan if she’d share more about the story behind the story: how the idea first arrived (hello, Big Magic), and how we can all make space for what’s quietly—or loudly—calling us.
Whether you’re in the messy middle of your own writing, dreaming of something more, or simply trying to reconnect with that creative spark again, I think you’ll find something here that speaks to you.
An Interview with author Megan Walrod
Reflections on Igniting the “Big Magic” Spark
Kristina: In conversations we've had, you’ve described how the idea for It’s Always Been Me arrived like a gift from the universe—what Elizabeth Gilbert might call “Big Magic” and literally poured out of you. What helps you find “flow” or “Big Magic” as an author and what wisdom would you like to share with other writers who maybe aren’t feeling that creative spark right now?
Megan: Here’s a mindset shift: instead of trying to find flow, become available for it. “Finding” flow still carries the energy of striving or chasing. But flow isn’t something we can “make happen” - it’s something we return to. It’s already here, quietly rippling beneath the surface of our lives, like a current in the river. When I stop trying to force or control the creative process and instead soften, slow down, and listen, that’s when Big Magic finds me.
Writing It’s Always Been Me was a beautiful example of that. The story arrived like a gift when I gave myself permission to play, to write not for strategy or productivity, but for joy, for wonder, for me.
So if you’re not feeling that creative spark right now, my invitation is: don’t push. Get curious instead. What would feel nourishing? What are you longing to say, even if no one else ever reads it? The magic often returns when we’re willing to meet ourselves gently, without expectation - just a deep yes to the moment and whatever wants to move through us.
On Reclaiming Creative Dreams
Kristina: When we meet your heroine Sabina in your novel, she's set her own passion for painting aside to prioritize her husband's music career, something I think a lot of women prone people-pleasing will relate to.
Early readers have expressed how deeply they resonated with Sabina’s journey. Now that the book is officially in the world, how does it feel to share it with others? What message do you hope readers take away about reclaiming their own passions?
Megan: Absolutely soul-satisfying! I wrote this book first for myself. It’s given me SO MUCH through the process of writing it. So much of MYSELF. So now to share Sabina’s story with readers around the world? I’m absolutely delighted. Honored. Excited. Curious. Wondering how her story will resonate with them. What gifts they’ll see reflected back to them. What truths and treasures they’ll find on the pages. Honestly? Sabina - and the book - are on a mission to ignite a movement of women saying YES to themselves and their dreams. My job is to keep showing up and supporting her in doing this.
Megan’s Advice for Aspiring Writers
Kristina: Many of our readers are aspiring writers balancing creative dreams with other responsibilities. What advice would you offer them about making space for their writing and trusting their unique voice?
Megan: Prioritize yourself and your writing just like you would prioritize a child or a partner. Give yourself permission to have time for yourself to write, to engage with the Big Magic knocking on your door. What this can look like:
CLARITY: Make a “Yes/No” list. What do you need to say NO and YES to in order to have time to write? (Example: I needed to say NO to self-doubt and late-night binge-watching Netflix and say YES to believing in myself and early morning writing sessions.)
INTEGRITY: Live your list. Make it your guide and inspiration. Everytime you say NO to what you really want to say NO to and YES to what you really want to say YES to, you are strengthening your relationship with yourself. You’re cultivating self-trust. And you’re letting the Universe know - you have your back. Now it can have yours.
WRITING: Set aside time each week to write during your most optimal hours. This might be 30 minutes to 2 hours every morning or 3 hours once a week or 20 minutes every other day. Whatever it is - find what works for you and put it in your calendar.
HONORING: Tap into what it would feel like to trust your voice, to believe in your ability to write your book or whatever creation you’re called to. Feel what that feels like in your body. Tune into the story you’d be telling yourself in your mind about how much you appreciate your unique voice. Let this become your new normal. Tap into this feeling/story daily. You are reprogramming from the default setting of, “I can’t do this,” that’s designed to make you question yourself because that conditioning keeps you controllable.
Surprise! The journey of writing your book and trusting yourself is a journey of breaking free from the “Good Girl” conditioning and embodying your wild, untamed self. YES!
Becoming the Heroine of Your Own Story
Kristina: As a women’s empowerment coach, how did your coaching philosophy influence Sabina’s journey? What does it mean to you, and to Sabina, to become the heroine of your own story?
Megan: Honestly, it was the other way around! Sabina’s journey influenced me and my coaching. Writing her story, and showing up to finish this book, was a deep act of self-trust, self-honor, and surrender. It required me to live my talk and say YES to my own desire, and to stop waiting for permission from someone else to go for it and write the book! In co-creating Sabina’s transformation, I lived my own. And that changed everything about how I show up for the women I coach. Sabina reminded me what it means to become the heroine of your own story: you claim it, moment by moment, by choosing yourself.
Want More of Megan’s Magic?
If Megan’s story resonated with you, I highly recommend picking up a copy of her book It’s Always Been Me. It’s soulful, poetic, and empowering (and it might just remind you of a part of yourself you’ve been longing to return to).
You’ll also find “beyond the book” resources on Megan's website to help you dive deeper into the themes of the novel, personally, through reflection questions, and communally, through book club discussion topics. (You can also join her Book Club!)
And if this sparked something in you—an idea, a calling, a story you want to write—act on it! Choose it now. Receive the magic in real time!
Big Magic is real—let's make space for it.
Love always,
Kristina
