Miss Erin

I had the opportunity to interview eighteen-year-old Erin McIntosh, book reviewer, highly respected blogger, Cybils judge, and friend extraordinaire.

A talented writer, she is an actress who is so deeply passionate about performing that she aspires to continue acting "till the day she dies."

three wishes
Erin McIntosh, 2008
reprinted with permission

What would you do
with three wishes?
(taking for granted
you couldn't
wish for more)

I would like a walk
on a beach, maybe
the one by Bette Davis's home,
with someone I love

I'd like a black body-suit
like Kiki's,
and I would explore hidden tunnels
unturning the unknown
with my fellow Irregulars

The third wish is hardest
because it's the only one left
and decisions like that
can't ever be easy

A broomstick to fly on,
seeing Gypsy in New York,
recording a CD,
market day in Japan,
being caught up,
or no more sickness

dreams that I can see
but never hold
those are the things
I wish for

***

You run a popular blog, Miss Erin. How did you decide to start blogging? How did people find you?

I started because I thought it would be a fun outlet for any creativity or randomosity that struck me. Eventually I realized that there was a whole world of other blogs out there (surprise surprise!) and I started commenting on some of them. People commented back, and I suppose that's how I got my first visitors.

What are your plans for the future?

You know, I have no idea. And sometimes that scares me half to death. But most of the time I do my best to take a breath, be excited for whatever's coming, and trust trust trust that God will work it out.

A lack of concrete plans doesn't equal a lack of dreams, goals, and hopes, though. I am an actress and a writer, and I pray to be able to live out those passions every day of my life. My "plan" is to pursue acting till the day I die, really.

What is your favorite story or poem and why?

Oh!
First reaction: I absolutely cannot choose! Impossible!
After pondering for awhile: The Nativity story. It's the most powerful, inspiring story in existence, I daresay. It makes me cry, when realization of the wonder and beauty of it strikes me.

Acting is such a huge part of your life and it's very important to you. What does being an actress mean to you?

It means that I get to share stories with hundreds of people. It means I get to make people feel and think. It means that I get to become different people and experience more than one life. I can really try to delve into what makes everyone tick and also what makes an individual tick. People fascinate me to no end, and acting means connecting with and developing an understanding for them.

Being an actress means I get to do what makes me feel truly whole and alive and on fire with the brilliance of life. I don't think I can ask for anything better than that.

You also have a blog called chromatic aberration, which you run with fellow blogger Jocelyn. What inspired this photo blog?

I heard about the idea for taking a photo every day for 365 days in a photography newsletter or blog. I thought it was a terrific idea and immediately wanted to attempt it. A few days later, I was at Jocelyn's blog reading a list of things she wanted to do in her lifetime. Lo and behold, this project was on the list. I emailed her right away and we brainstormed for title ideas, etc. It's been difficult, but I'm really glad I'm doing it.

What is something about you that most people don't know?

One of my favorite things is browsing art galleries.

What are some of your favorite blogs?

Oh dear, this is difficult, because no matter how many I list I'm bound to leave someone out. How about, before I even begin, I limit myself to five? That way I will have to stop, whether I like it or not. Alright then. Shannon Hale's squeetus is a longtime favorite. Always funny and insightful and thought-provoking. Tent Cent Notes. Quotes, music, books. Yum. girl with a kaleidoscope: pretty pictures, pretty words. Artista Blog is just darling and is good at making me smile. Never Jam Today because Noel always has lovely, original things to say. Annnd that's five. So I'll stop. But I read millions of blogs. Not sure how much of that is an exaggeration, ha. There are so many I love and could list...

Thank you muchly, Maya!

Thank you so much, Erin!