What are we even doing here?

Hi, I’m Lyle McKeany and I’m a Writer.

Umm, okay, so what do you write about?

I write stories that are personal, vulnerable, and sometimes funny.

I write about the struggles of being a father to a daughter with cerebral palsy. More generally, I write about life. The messy life we all deal with every day. The ups and downs. The crap bouncing around in my head, which probably bounces around in yours too. The funny, insightful, inspiring, annoying, terrifying, and poignant things that happened to me. Or, you might say, they happened for me because now I get to write about them and share them with you.

Got any examples?

Geez, you’re demanding.

Here’s my most popular piece yet (it’s writing advice but also not writing advice at all): HOW TO WRITE BETTER STORIES IN 4 EASY STEPS

Here’s one about the day my daughter Em was born (fair warning, it’s an intense story): The Hardest Day Of My Life (Part 1)

Here’s one about quarantine during Covid (it’s one of my favorites): My Last Normal Day

Here’s one about death (what? I think it’s healthy to think about death): The World Needs More Tonys

And here’s one about marriage and divorce (and at least one other thing): Things Come In Threes

What are people saying about your writing?

Nice, a softball question. I can handle this one. Here are some actual quotes from actual human beings.

From my Twitter friend Amanda:

Lyle is a writer who will steal your heart and smack you in the face with it, and somehow you'll ask for more. He writes about the pain and joys of fatherhood and life.

From someone I haven’t spoken with since high school:

When I read this, it’s like you were talking about me! Sometimes it’s just nice to hear that there are other people going through and thinking the same thoughts that are in your own head.

From someone who I don’t know at all:

Your writing is so relatable on so many levels.

From my Mom’s friend who apparently reads roughly a book per day:

His essays are so well constructed, filled with honesty and humor. Though we are strangers, because he was clearly able and chose to share vital pieces of himself, I feel as though I know him. And I like him. Upon reading the first sentence I was hooked. When I read the last sentence of the last composition I was disappointed because there were no more. His insight, compassion, and depth of love are revealing. He is a gifted and thought-provoking writer. I journeyed with him through parts of his life and visited many of my own emotions along the way.

High praise from a voracious reader. I’ll take it!

And lastly, from my wife Allison:

He writes like a male version of Glennon Doyle, except without the history of drug and alcohol abuse.

If you subscribe, I’ll not only be forever in your debt, but you can also expect an email from me every Saturday at 8:08 am PT with an original piece of writing that I’m excited about.

You’re the best.

P.S. If you just need to get a hold of me, feel free to email me.