Greetings! I began my writing career in 2015 following the death of my beloved mother. The lessons and world views she instilled during my life as I grew and developed maintain a strong thematic presence throughout much of what I write. Her emphasis on the importance of love, kindness, and concern for all is the primary influence behind my material focusing on occasionally uncomfortable topics like emotional vulnerability, abuse, and existentialism. It isn't all mopey, though - I do like to let the hair down and writing about the fun things in life. Like owning an adorable dog that has enormous, "I just saw a ghost" eyes, for instance. While I use this website predominantly for hosting poetry and/or thought pieces, my primary commercially-marketed project is a sci-fi/fantasy series of novels which I originally self-published. The first is titled Continuity and was published in 2016. A sequel, Continuity: Coalescence, was released two years later. I'm thankful to say both were recently picked up by a traditional publisher, Wild Ink Publishing that will be releasing one, consolidated version of both in December 2024. Announcements on this moving forward will also be posted here. As far as the rest, I'm an ex-Vanderbilt baseball player (c/o '09) with a degree in Economics & Corporate Strategy who is ironically trying to forging a career that has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with either of those things. Before my scribbles began, I was an insurance agent for the better part of a decade. Other than that, I enjoy simple living along with my aforementioned co-author, Pip the Pekingese! Thank you for visiting the website. I hope you enjoy your stay, and I look forward to connecting with any and all. No matter who you are or what you believe, you are warmly welcome! M.E. Shao
Tonight I’d like to tell a story about a place that has taught me much. A place I’ve always leaned on, when I needed such a crutch. When I was little, this place was like a dream, so far away that it seemed out of touch; but now that I’ve grown and matured, I hold … More The School of Thought
I want to share something with you. I want to share my perception of the thing that saved me from the dark halls through which, until recently, I was being forced to traverse. See, for the longest time I felt as if I’d been carrying a curse, as I walked through things as mundane as … More Writing, as it Relates to Me
You want to hear something funny that happened to me today? I hope you don’t say no, since I’m on the patio of my local town saloon, roughly six hours past high noon, aimlessly thinking as I stare up at the moon and writing these very words that I now recite for you. So if … More Make Drinks, Not Promises
The other day I went out and bought this big ass terrarium. At first I wanted something else, like a ferret, or salt aquarium. But I ended up changing my mind. Something about that enormous, transparent habitat just appealed to me. Not sure why. Anyway, I took it home, set it down, walked away and … More My New World
Vulnerability. It seems like something most despise So let me be frank; I’ll tell no lies Truth is, I’m quite conflicted About something often on my mind I suppose I’ll just be candid Bluntly share this struggle of mine Relationships. Yes that’s right. Which may come as a surprise After all, I love to socialize, … More Afraid to Feel
The greatest writers, artists, and bards, we’re threads all cut from a cloth One and the same, we’ve all been through pain, to our craft we commit and betroth Just like our fathers who preceded and left, we all have a start; Chapter One Unknown and belittled, our bodies are none, but destined to be … More Fueled by Doubt
Every thought I think of, every theory I throw down is tight Never needing nothing now, no noose around my neck at night Put out paper pad and pen, place em and pull down the light That’s when it starts That’s when it begins I think about my life in parts and think about … More Alliterate
I’ve had some people ask me what exactly is my book about So let me tell you, let me try to summarize, quell the doubt Its about the things we do and how we treat each other; simple see I knew when I first started writing my first novel, Continuity I wanted to portray a … More Continuity
Everywhere I go I always have to make a choice Right or left, up or down, good or bad, I hear a voice Its hard to navigate through all the thoughts and all the faded noise I try to make the right decisions, try to live right and rejoice But you know the devils always … More Angels & Demons
I sit and read all of these top artists’ lines Inspired by their thoughts as I think and try to create mine I study each and every line, every rhythm, every beat Reading lyrics from 2Pac, Halsey, Big and Em n Pete It’s a craft that I am studying, a craft that I’m just starting … More Bad at Love
How the World Should Work 