Writing Wednesday: My Life as a Writer

Man, writing was so much easier when I was in college. I was always a night owl. The house was quiet, everyone else was asleep, and I was free to write into the darkness. I’m a face maker and acter outer, so when I’m writing, I’m making the same faces as my characters, using their gestures, etc. It’s not really conducive to writing in front of people. I almost always listen to music as well, and all that just works so much better in private.

Now, I’m a mom, and up until this summer, I was also a nursery school teacher. My free time was almost non-existent. Even as I write this, I’m sitting at my dining room table, watching my son use a water hose as a penis to “pee” on his sister in the backyard. I have about 40 minutes until one of them annoys the other one and comes running inside to tattle. 

I also have 4 dogs, 2 cats and 2 parrots. My house is never quiet, unlike the college days I spent holed up in my bedroom. There is constant chaos. Do I want to start outlining my next book? Absolutely. Will it happen soon? Probably not until September when my son starts second grade and my daughter enters universal pre-k, but baby #3 will be here mid-October. 

When you’re a mom, or you have a day job and other responsibilities, being a writer isn’t at all like it is in the movies. You’re not sitting in a cafe people watching, garnering inspiration for your characters. You’re not at your mountain retreat, writing against a deadline. In fact, you haven’t showered in days. Your BO is off the charts, and you’re lucky if you’re not too exhausted to squeeze in some writing or agent querying when the kids are watching Blippi (because let’s face it, if Bluey is on, you’re watching it too). 

So no, being a writer isn’t glamorous, and it’s certainly not paying any bills at this point. But maybe one day it will. Until then, I’ll continue running on empty.