"Devoted Foodie, Blogger"
This is one of the "lost" interviews. I interviewed Teryll back in May of 2009, but awaited publishing the interview until we finished revisions on the site. But - um - I'm coming to the realization that we'll never be done revising -- and I really want to introduce you to her!
Teryll's a passionate foodie, writer and blogger and has been involved in performing arts. She's also the daughter of one of my dearest friends* (but we won't hold that against her - hahaha).
The interview took place while Teryll was living in the midwest. At that time she was planning a move back to L.A. where she'd grown up. She's back in California now, so the references to "here" indicate the midwest.
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How do you see yourself as a Square-Peg?
{Laughing} Being from California - being from Los Angeles!
I identify with the Square-Peg term in some ways because I am my mother's child. But I never heard of the concept until she told me about it. Your web site was the first time I'd even been exposed to that phrase.
I think I've always danced to the beat of my own drum, so to speak. I think my parents really encouraged that. They've told me that when I was younger - when I was learning verbal skills - they made a conscious decision to let me speak my mind.
I've always felt like I can say what I need to say. Not necessarily that what I have to say is better than what anybody else says, but that I'm free to express myself. There was never "shut up", "don't talk" or "what you have to say doesn't matter" in my family.
...I don't always go with the crowd on certain things in culture, the arts, the creative world. It's never been like I've got to jump on that bandwagon because I want everyone to know that I'm hip or with it. That's another way I see myself as not quite on the normal path.
How Do You Maintain Your Square-Pegness (in a round-hole world)?
I don't know how to do it any other way. I mean, to be honest, I think there are things that are attractive about the norm. But I also believe I wouldn't be who I was if I tried to fit into that.
I wouldn't be comfortable. I think my family and my friends probably keep me balanced in that way - so I don't feel the need to do anything different. I'd just rather be myself.
I try to focus my energy on the positive, not the negative - which can be hard.
Teryll spoke about the role of music in her life:
...in the past it was a form of therapy, but I haven't written in a while. With my first love - I probably wrote 15 songs about the breakup. So it's been a powerful force in my life - dealing with issues, break ups, my parents' divorce, just growing up issues. It's very personal for me...
...the first time I ever did an open mike with my own music was when I moved out here. Not a lot of people have heard my stuff because it is so personal. There's the fear of rejection - that's my personal song, my story...
I miss it. It's been a couple years since I really did anything. I went to a couple open mike nights but I haven't had my own instruments since I moved...that will change once I move back to L.A..
I'm looking forward to playing again...
What Is Your Favorite Square-Peg Trait?
One thing that I've really learned over past several years, especially since I've been out here, is that I'm an encourager. I've seen things in people and really tried to encourage them to pursue certain things in their lives: keep trucking, in other words.
I got a lot of feedback about that in the last several years. I didn't think of myself that way. {Laughing}Not that I said: "You're all a bunch of losers", but I didn't view myself as someone who was very encouraging.
I probably got that from my mom. {Laughing} I got a lot of crap from her.
What Has Been the Hardest For You as a Square-Peg?
Criticism probably. People saying you're kind of out of it for marching to a different drum.
I think, when I was younger, I took it a lot harder - more personally. Like I wasn't good enough - didn't fit their mold.
When I was a teenager I felt the need to not be seen in some ways. For a very long time I was labelled as a singer and into performing arts stuff.
But when I went to college people didn't know that about me. I kept it that way because I didn't want people to be friends with me because they thought I could sing well.
...in L.A. people are always networking, wanting to meet somebody famous or get hooked up with somebody in the industry. I never wanted to be a part of that.
My parents had a huge impact. I was always told that no matter what anybody else says, they don't speak for you. You can choose to let the words of other people in your life or you can choose to discard it.
I think I've done that. I think I take what people say as it is, and allow myself the time to process it and determine whether it's right for me...
What Are Your Favorite books?
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I'm drawn to powerful - empowering females - different strong personalities coming together.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden . It's amazing what Arthur Golden can do with a male perspective writing in the female. I was blown away by that, I kept thinking: "Is this really a dude?"
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I'm a huge fan of his work. He's witty and engaging, with a tell-it-like-it-is/take-it-or-leave-it attitude. He's all about food - passion for food.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. It's one of the first books...a travel/food memoir. He and his wife are from England, but they purchased some real estate in Provence. The book is about the whole experience of getting settled in their country home, getting to know the butcher, eating at local restaurants. He has a very witty repartee.
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You can keep up with Teryll (and find some great recipes) at her blog: Madame Munchies (formerly Midwest Munchies).
*Read our Square-Peg People Interview with Wendy Lee Lynds, Teryll's mom.
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Read more Square-Peg Interviews here!
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(Full Disclosure: we're affiliates of Amazon.com - so when you buy from the book links above you don't pay a penny more, but you help support Square-Peg People. Thanks!)
