“Building Resilience: Colleen McKeegan’s Journey Through Critique and Creation with Legos”

In a reflective essay, Colleen McKeegan shares her experience of coping with the emotional rollercoaster of publishing a new novel, Rip Tide, while using Lego building as a form of meditation and distraction. After receiving a harsh trade review that shook her, McKeegan found solace in the simple act of constructing Lego sets with her children amidst the chaos. Initially, she had left the Lego activities to her husband, preferring imaginative play, but a desperate need for focus prompted her to join in. Building with her son provided a sense of control and calm, transforming the individual Lego pieces into a cohesive story much like the narrative process of writing a novel. McKeegan’s journey through Lego construction illustrates the therapeutic benefits of engaging in a tactile pastime, allowing her to block out negative thoughts and reaffirm her creativity. As the review cycle continued to swing emotionally, Lego became a reliable practice that kept her grounded and productive. By connecting the physical act of building to the intricate process of storytelling, McKeegan beautifully highlights how such activities can help manage anxiety and the unpredictability of literary careers. The entirety of her experience serves as a reminder of the relationship between creation and coping, and how the act of making can imbue life with structure and purpose. The article source is https://lithub.com/zen-with-legos-how-playing-with-blocks-helped-colleen-mckeegan-make-sense-of-bad-reviews/.

Colleen McKeegan demonstrates remarkable insight into the challenges faced by authors operating within the often turbulent landscape of publishing. Her ability to articulate the emotional turbulence stemming from criticism and self-doubt while simultaneously finding reprieve in an unexpected source—Lego building—speaks volumes to her reflective nature and her skill in transforming personal struggles into a narrative that resonates deeply with her readers. McKeegan’s exploration not only sheds light on her creative process but also offers a universal lesson about the importance of self-soothing practices in facing the intricacies of life. She effectively elevates the mundane into the meaningful, allowing her audience to appreciate the delicate balance of chaos and control inherent in both parenting and publishing.

McKeegan adeptly frames her experiences in a manner that invites empathy while also inspiring readers to consider their own coping mechanisms, forging a commendable connection between her personal endeavors and broader existential themes. As a Dutch writer and literature teacher, I find her articulate expression and ability to weave life lessons into her narrative refreshing, and it deepens the reader’s understanding of the resilience required in a creative career. The synergy between Lego sets and life lessons captures an essence that is both playful and profound, reminding us all that creating—whether through writing, building, or any form of art—can provide solace in the most trying times.