The Writer Mama #Bloghop 2015

Welcome to the Writer Mama Bloghop!! Today, we're all posting about what it's like to be a writer while jugging the responsibilities of being a parent. If you're late to the party, you're still welcome to join in! Check out the full details in the original post.

A random poster will win a Writer Mama Care Package (US) or a $25 Amazon gift card (INTL). To be eligible you must be signed up on the linky blow and have your post published by midnight today (all time zones).

Photo credit: American Express

I have two small children (aged 2 and 5), and until recently, I've also been working a day job. While doing all that, I've also had three novels published in the last two years.

I can't count how many times I've been asked something like...

"HOW DO YOU DO THAT?"

My usual answer is a shrug, and maybe, "I don't know. I just do." Despite what you might assume from the books I write, I'm not actually a witch, and do not have the powers of dark magic at my disposal. I don't have any secret. I don't have some magical trick for finding time to write.

If I do have any special trick it's this...quit doing housework. ;) I'm only about half joking. The house will get dirty again anyway. If you spend time writing, those words won't fade away.

All of you other writer mamas know that we don't have any more time in our day than anyone else. We simply choose to use some of that precious time to write. I don't write every day. I don't have a schedule. I write when I'm inspired and when I can find the time, usually on weekends or while my kids are in preschool. Sometimes I even write when I'm alone with my kids. I put them in front of the television (gasp) and spend some time writing. When my youngest was smaller I had to actually write standing at the kitchen counter because if I tried to write at the table he would climb on the table and start banging on the keyboard. And forget drinking coffee while writing. Too dangerous to have any liquids near the laptop with those little monsters afoot.

I may not be as attentive (and definitely not as clean) as some other moms, but I do think that my writing will have some positive impact on my kids. I want them to know that you should always chase your dreams, and that you can chase your dreams while also having a life and a "real" job. I hope that they will grow up to do the same.

I often feel overwhelmed with my life, and when I do, I take stock of my priorities. At the end of the day, only a few things are really important to me, in order:

1) My family
2) Taking care of myself and my health
3) Writing

To me that means I need to spend time with the people I love, eat right and exercise, write, and...well, that's it. Obviously life requires other tasks but it's so easy to get swept up in mundane details. If you're overwhelmed, I recommend taking stock of your own priorities and restructuring your life to focus on what's really important.

If you haven't written that novel yet, don't wait until you "have the time." That may never really happen. If it's important to you, you'll need to make the time.

Photo credit: American Express

Now, start hopping! Click on the links below to discover posts from other writer mamas and papas.

The Tina Fey ads in this post are from the "What's Your 20?" campaign from American Express. I promise that this bloghop is not sponsored by American Express (although wouldn't that be nice?...feel free to send me money, American Express) but these ads do a great job showing the life of a writer mom.