Growing up in North Carolina, Margie Myers, author of “Unsuspecting Prey,” always had dreams of being an author. It was easy for Myers to pursue that dream because she loved to write.
Myers told Landrum Elementary fifth graders instructed by teacher Carlos Cañas that she used her creativity to break out of the cycle of poverty. As a bright and self-driven 10 year-old, Myers began writing poems with the encouragement of her sister, who wanted to be an artist.
“My sister wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be an author,” she said. “(Our) family was very poor. We had no future. I didn’t get a degree in Journalism. I had to use creativity to get up and out of poverty.”
Myers describes herself as being deeply “spiritual” and “quiet.” She attended elementary schools in both New Hanover and Pender counties, where she graduated from Burgaw High School. She began writing at a very young age and had her short story published at age 14.
She continued her studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology. She began working on her doctorate, but her love of writing drew her back to that once again.
“Life took many twists and turns before I reached this point and I am more than blessed to have finally arrived,” she states in her biography.
Myers, who told students she’s been writing for half a century, encouraged them to pursue their dreams.
“I always loved writing. I’m surprised I wasn’t born with a pen in my hand!” she said with a big smile.
During her recent visit, she took pleasure in providing writing tips to fifth graders in Carlos Cañas’ classes at Landrum Elementary.
“You have to persevere,” she said.
She explained the reasons behind writing her mystery (fictional) book.
“I wanted (for readers) to see another side of the south and put a different light in a serious situation, especially in the South,” Myers said.
She told the students that the book sat on a shelf collecting dust until a friend of hers encouraged her to get it published.
“As you continue to write, you will get better and better. I am 64 years old right now. I wrote it 35 years ago,” she said. “This is a book that almost went in the trash. The book was on a shelf collecting dust until a friend of mine from Raymondville encouraged me to get it published.”
The writing process involves plenty of writing and re-writing, she explained.
Cañas appreciated her remarks and took a moment to get this point across to his students.
“It’s a good thing that you are telling them. They (students) also write and they have to re-write,” Cañas said. “Authors have to do that. You have to ask yourself, ‘How can you change it to make it look and sound more interesting?’”
Myers told the students that if she writes 500 books, “Unsuspecting Prey” would always be her favorite one. Myers said she plans to publish a book in January and another one in June.
Her sister, who was instrumental in inspiring her to pursue her dream, was diagnosed with breast cancer and died at a young age and didn’t get to see her become a successful author.
Myers resides locally with her husband, Michael and son, Masa, and the family’s four-legged babies – an Australian Silky Terrier named Chloe Belle and a Chihuahua named Quigley.
Margie Myers, a local author, speaks to Landrum Elementary students instructed by fifth grade teacher Carlos Cañas.
