The Curious George Questionnaire: #29
Author and actor at heart Meg Oolders chats with our curious pal George!
She: “Be the hero in your own story. Be a memorable supporting character in everyone else’s.” Life philosophy that BUMPS courtesy of the multi-talented Meg Oolders. Meg is an award-winning novelist; her new book, SEE DOT SMILE drops in 2026 with Empress Editions. Like our pal George, Meg is infinitely curious about personal connection and the stories that fuel our human journeys. Treat yourself to more of Meg’s insightful, genuine writing at her Substack, Beautiful, Daring, Stupid—you’ll want to bottle, sip, and savor every drop!
MM: Just the other day I asked George a question (weird, I know! That’s usually his raison d’être!)… “Do you know about ASMR?” “You mean,” he responded, “that tingly sensation I get at the back of my head when I’m napping on your sofa in the summertime and your neighbor runs the lawnmower?” EXACTLY. When George sat down to talk with author Meg Oolders, they were both reduced to laughter trying to out-ASMR each other. “I listen!” she emphasized. “To music, nature, animals, strangers, furniture, appliances.” That takes attention, Meg reminds us, and she spills all the details in this wonderful chat with George.
Meg Oolders Answers the Curious George Questionnaire!
To me, curiosity is:
A window to understanding. Understanding ourselves. Understanding each other. Understanding just a little bit about how this big wide world and even bigger wider universe around us works.
Describe a road not taken. Any regrets?
Growing up and into adulthood I had dreams of becoming an actress. I performed in all my school musicals and I studied musical theater in college. I was almost always cast as an ingénue, even though deep down I was a showstopping comedienne who lacked confidence. My college advisor said as much to me. I also yearned to take on meatier roles that would showcase my dramatic range, but the opportunity rarely presented itself, or maybe I rarely let myself entertain those opportunities. In my senior year of college, I was cast by a student director in a production of Krapp’s Last Tape, which is a one “man” show about an embittered 69-year-old who spends an afternoon listening to recordings he made of himself at 39. I tiptoed around the emotional parts of the script during rehearsals, but under the spotlight of the final performance I brought out the big guns. I had everyone in tears—myself included. I received praise from fellow students and professors whose acting skills I envied. After that performance, I was offered three amazing acting opportunities—simultaneously. I had auditioned for King Lear at a local theater-in-the-round and was cast as the Fool. I’d never done Shakespeare before. I was approached by my vastly talented and deeply admired acting professor about performing alongside him in the duo-drama Oleanna. And I was offered the chance to play the title role in Peter Pan with a company I’d performed with the previous four summers. Because the schedule for all three shows conflicted with each other, I had to pick one! I ended up in Neverland. Looking back, I think I made that choice because it was the one that required me to stretch myself the least, and I do have some regret about that. It’s hard not to wonder how my acting career might have gone differently had I ventured into less familiar territory that summer.
Tell us how you fill your curiosity well.
I listen! To music, nature, animals, strangers, furniture, appliances. One of the reasons I prefer reading physical books over digital copies is there’s a soundtrack provided. The rustle of pages turned. The creak of the spine as you inch closer to the center of a brand-new hardcover. The crinkle of those dingy plastic covers the library puts on everything. In a world that’s becoming noisier by the nanosecond, listening with intention has almost become an art. It requires a lot of focus and practice to master. Luckily, it’s the kind of art you can practice anywhere.
Wonder or Awe? Why?
AWE. 100%. To me, wonder is a moment of pensive appreciation for something “wonderful,” whereas awe is a humanity-affirming gut punch to the senses. When something you see, hear, taste, or touch strikes a power chord that vibrates your rustiest heartstrings, bringing laughter, tears, joyful expletives, spontaneous applause, and a brief but total immersion in the here and now. To be in awe is to be moved, unexpectedly and profoundly, by a display of everyday magic. It’s freaking awesome.
How would you spend your last day on earth?
Weather: Partly sunny, 70 degrees, winds light and variable. Location: Backyard patio, hammock. Company: Dog, pollinators. Amenities: A stack of my favorite YA novels, photo albums, stationary and assorted pens, mood-curated playlist, wet bar for mocktails, light snacks ranging from a slightly salty to super sweet. Agenda: Read books. Write letters to my loved ones. Walk and cuddle the dog. Sing. Dance. Stretch. Savor. Sleep a little. Dream a lot.
My life philosophy is ________.
Be the hero in your own story. Be a memorable supporting character in everyone else’s.
Who’s the CGQ Crew?
About She: Sheila Moeschen is a humorist, writer, photographer, and salty New Englander. You can find her on Substack at Humor Saves!
About MM: Michael Maupin helms the StoryShed Substack (among other things) and is a recovering screenwriter, book and magazine editor, and lifelong diarist.
About George: George is a man of letters, leisure, and all things interesting. He’s been immortalized in bronze and butter. Named after the fabled monkey—eccentric or genius parentage, who knows?—he’s made it his mission to discover the most fascinating, unique, and curious people like YOU. Good work if you can get it.
Seeing that the roads we didn’t take might have made us uncomfortable can, hopefully, draw us toward greater courage in the future. Pulling out all the stops for that final one-person performace is an experience not many adults get to have because the rest of us rarely see what we are truly capable of and having that knowledge is a gift - even if you wonder about the other paths you could have taken. Looking forward to your book Meg, well done👏👏
Thanks for a great questionaire everyone!
Meg you’re great and all but goddamn, your dog is so stinkin’ cute!! 🤣🤣🤣
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