Meagan Adele Lopez' Blog

Three Questions: Because a quarter life crisis needs answers (Paperback)

By (author) Meagan Adele Lopez

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(This is the second post in a series of “getting to know you questions” with wonderful women around the world.)

Toni Hargis and I originally met in the blogosphere (Grampy, that means the world in which I’m writing now – and no, it’s not a dirty word!) when I was living in England as an expat. We met in the flesh in London a few years ago, after Melissa from Smitten by Britain hosted a bloggers meetup. She just so happens to live in Chicago, and has become a good friend of mine. Toni’s answers definitely made me think!

Below is a bit more about Toni:

Toni Hargis is the author of “Rules, Britannia; An Insider’s Guide to Life in the United Kingdom” (St. Martin’s Press), and blogs primarily as Expat Mum. In her spare time she runs a charity, Caring Kid Connections, that funds a private school in Ghana, West Africa. She is a Brit who has lived in the USA for 22 years, a wife and mother of three bi-lingual kids.

Toni Hargis

1. How do you define success?

I suppose I have to acknowledge the mainstream definition of “success” which would be – earning enough money from your art or your profession to be at least comfortable. For me, however, I don’t think the humongous houses, multiple cars etc. are much of a measure. That’s more like showing off, which is just tacky; besides, I’m not insecure enough to need everyone else to know what I can afford.

As a writer success would obviously be having lots of people buy my work; that would bring some money but the real shine would be that people enjoyed or learned from my work. Accolades and respect from other writers wouldn’t go amiss either; I can see why the Grammys and Oscars are so beloved by actors and musicians. The respect of others in your field would be a big measure of success to me.

As a human (and now we’re getting deep) I think success is being able to look in the mirror and know you’re being the best (ie. kindest and most genuine) person you can be. That can come in many forms, but there’s a satisfaction that can come with doing a lot for others, that you won’t find in a new car, or an expensive pair of jeans. Being comfortable in your own skin – that is personal success.

2. If you could be an animal, what would it be?

I’m not sure I’d want to be an animal given that they have so little control over their lives. Pets are chattels (even when they’re loved), and wild animals worry every day about eating or being eaten! However, if forced to choose, I would come back as my dog Dusty. We got her at nine months as a rescue from Paws, a Chicago shelter.

She didn’t seem to have been physically abused, but was nevertheless confused and a little nervous. She is a very pretty collie/husky looking dog, and we often get stopped by people on the street to ask what breed she is. She now has a great life, is loved by the whole family and her best dog friend Coco lives two doors away. (Her best, best friend is my 8 year old son and the love is mutual.)

3. What is one moment in your life that you would want to relive over and over again, if you could?

Hmm…this is really hard. I don’t think I’ve had one single ecstatic moment that I can think of (perhaps the best is yet to come?) – but lots of great moments.

HOWEVER, THE ONE I WOULD WANT TO RELIVE WOULD PROBABLY BE THE LAST TIME I SAW MY FATHER.

I had just turned twenty, just returned from six weeks in Greece and was on a flying visit home before going back to college. In fact, I was supposed to go straight from the flight from Greece to college, but something made me decide to take the 300 mile detour. It was just a normal weekend, and there’s a photo of me somewhere, clowning around with him and sitting in his lap.

While I wouldn’t have wanted to know that he would die suddenly, less than two weeks later, it would be nice to go back and see him one more time.

All this plane flying has given me some time to write a few guest posts on other blogs (stay tuned for another one on Smitten By Britain‘s blog as well).

First up, I got to thinking more and more about why British actors are on our airwaves, and are seemingly better actors than us, the American counterparts.

This is what I came up with on Michelle‘s blog, The American Resident: Are British Actors Better than American Actors?

Then, a year ago, Toni Hargis, a British expat who now lives in Chicago and who met up with us in London during out expat bloggers convention (I’m exaggerating, there were about 6 of us), asked me to write about my repatriation experience.

Finally I got around to writing it: Repatriation: An American’s Story.

She also finished my novel, and wrote a smashing review! (You can read all my current reviews here – be sure to leave one if you haven’t already.)

“Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just another “girls-gone-wild” or chic-lit debut novel. Not only is “Three Questions” the delightful love story of American Adele and an Englishman named Guy- it asks surprisingly searching questions of both the characters and the reader.
From the simple – “What is your favorite meal?” to the scary “How would you describe your mom?”, Lopez delves deep into her characters’ hearts and souls. You’ll be rooting for the lovers throughout the book, and you won’t be disappointed with the denouement.”

8 days left before my Kickstarter ends – help me turn my novel into a screenplay through your contributions, and some great rewards (if you haven’t already). Email everyone you know, tweet out to the world, and post on Facebook! We can do this together!