Write At Home Moms - October

[Aufilia]

To quote 1jooj:

I've placed a link from the August thread, but FYI, this is a place for moms who write at home to discuss, share, commiserate and celebrate. We have bloggers, novelists, ghostwriters, poets, tech writers, copywriters, journalists and probably many other writer mamas working hard--at the kitchen table or tucked someplace else, and we squeeze it in between the rest of life, including husbands, housework, children, studies, jobs, etc.

...and since I liked doing intros last month...

I'm Erin. I write fiction (mostly science fiction and fantasy). I get paid for producing articles for Demand Studios, and at the moment I've got a contract from Guru.com to survey writers about their writing process. (So that's not exactly doing writing myself, but! very interesting and paid.) I am hoping to get a fiction/novel ghostwriting gig....

[Aufilia]

Originally Posted by thismamadances

Hi ladies,
I was just wondering the thoughts of you rock-star mommas, who are already in the mix, on submitting a fiction sample, or if I should only submit non-fiction samples since that seems to be the bulk of the work available.

I submitted a copy of a blog entry I'd written.

Originally Posted by JoyMC

i'm feeling jazzed and super productive - just went over 100 pages on my middle grades novel (it's a first draft, and i think i'm about 2/3 of the way through), and just completed a 26,000 word novel for a client and started contracts on another one for the same client, to be written by the end of November.

Awesome!

Originally Posted by 1jooj

I have an eye infection that got so severe last week I'm still sort of shocked about it...and now the first eye looks better. The second eye is just starting. Hoping the abx keep the second eye from exploding comparably to the first

Yikes!! That sounds miserable.

Originally Posted by Round2

Anyone else want to add undivided writing time?

If I could figure out how to possible get any undivided writing time in the first place, I would be ALL over it! So far I'm working with having a mother's helper (costly, compared to how much I make!), hanging out in the lobby of the YMCA after checking kids into childcare (which is ok as long as I don't need to access the internet, so no Demand Studios stuff), or working 10 minutes at a time while Tristan entertains himself.

Though I actually did get some non-paid fiction writing done. I think I've written nearly 2000 words in the last few days, half of that tapped out by my thumb on my 3rd-hand iPhone while Tristan sleeps on my lap. I have maybe 3000 words total written of Book 2, woohoo.

[Maprilynne]

Wow! I can't believe I found this sub-forum! I am an author and one of the few WAHMs I know. And here's a WRITE-AHM thread! Yay! You all have made my day!

I am an author, mother of three, and expecting a new little girl next month. I lovelovelove being a WAHM, but because I have two books coming out next year instead of my usual one I have a really, really busy year this year and my deadlines just seem to be coming faster as my due date draws nearer. Thus, the time I would like to be spending preparing for my homebirth I am working on revisions instead. *sigh* Still, love my job, love my kids, and all of the juggling is worth it. I am also lucky enough to have a SAHHubby and that helps immensely.

Looking forward to getting to know some of you!

[sunnygir1]

I wish I were a write-at-home mom. I have a 1yo and a 3.5yo. I'm doing part time child care right now.

I have a BA in Spanish and a certificate in Technical Writing (which I completed while pregnant). I would love to do copy editing of technical documents, or maybe even write them. Bilingual product manuals would be awesome. Nerdy, I know.

Any suggestions about how to get there would be welcome, including resources to help hone my editing skills.

I'm totally inspired that you all are here!

[BabyMae09]

Has anyone ever done NaNoWriMo? Does anyone ever get published from doing that? Cause, you know, if I were a publisher looking for talent, I'd go there and read the novels....

[Maprilynne]

Actually, a LOT of authors have published NaNo books and a lot of already published authors still swear by getting their next novel done that way. However, most of them take their NaNo novel, spend a couple months cleaning it up, and then submit it the traditional way. Publishers just don't have time to glean sites like the (totally awesome!) NaNo site for talent.

[JoyMC]

hi Maprilynne, i recognize your username from Absolute Write - it's so unique. is it your name?

hi to all the other writer mamas. i'm super swamped and was just popping in for a second. got to get back to the old book - i'm trying to plow forward and finish the first draft.

[mommariffic]

Whew, I'm hoping October will be a decent month.

I have my mothers helper coming for a few hours EVERY afternoon [2-3 solid bits of writing time] because I am really needing to let loose creatively. I've been working on personal stuff at night, but the sleep deprivation wiht a babe isn't worth it darn it. I also managed to snag a few part time jobs so that I can A: pay babysitter and B: have some side money.

so here's to a hopefully, good month!

[Oriole]

I'm crawling back out. We bought a needy house, so that's my excuse for not doing much in the past 5 months. BUT!!! I've been feeling the urge to write over the past week, so I pulled out one of the old drafts for a long poem (about a fairy ), polished it up a bit, and made 5 packets ready to be submitted as a manuscript for a picture book. I'm placing the submissions in the mail today!

Originally Posted by BabyMae09

Has anyone ever done NaNoWriMo? Does anyone ever get published from doing that? Cause, you know, if I were a publisher looking for talent, I'd go there and read the novels....

I've done it. That's how my YA novel gained its first 30K. Overtime it grew into a 50K manuscript, but I'm still working on it. (It's much harder to work on it since my laptop died, and I've yet to recover what I've lost. )

[Crafty]

I was going to say, I recognize Maprilynne's name from AW as well! I'm just starting the querying process in regards to my novel, and it's awful and nerve-wracking and I hate it. I need to get started on the next one to take my mind off of it...

[Bella Catalina]

Hey mamas

I'm coming out of hiding... I have not posted here in probably six months. Now that we're gearing up for Nano again, I thought I'd jump in and say hi.
Hoping to make it 4 for 4 this year, and preferably without a life-changing event (major move from CA to US, birth of DS #2 or death of my mum) this year! No idea what I'm writing yet--my muse is stubborn and refuses to be provoked .

[fullofgrace]

LOL! I read (lurked forever) and now post at Absolute Write, too!!

Actually, a LOT of authors have published NaNo books and a lot of already published authors still swear by getting their next novel done that way. However, most of them take their NaNo novel, spend a couple months cleaning it up, and then submit it the traditional way. Publishers just don't have time to glean sites like the (totally awesome!) NaNo site for talent.

I'm planning on doing NaNo this year. As extra motivation, I'm telling myself I can buy an iPad if I win. We'll see if that works!

[starling&diesel]

I'll play!
I'm a professional writer, have nine YA books published, lots of adult short fiction published in snooty literary mags and journals.
I'm also a paramedic, and work two days a week at 12+hour shifts at a station that's nearly an hour commute away.
I'm also a mama to a toddler, and in the works to have a second via IVF, if we can.
I'm here to find out how other writer mamas manage their time.
I'm actually in a coffee shop this morning, editing a manuscript that was due at the publishers a month ago. I got up at 530am and came here, and am still here at 830am. Getting a lot of work done. Little one is at home in bed with DP, who doesn't have to go to work until noon.
I just can't seem to squish it all in? How do you mamas do it?
Will it be harder with two? I work well under pressure, so maybe two would get me in high gear?
I like the idea of hiring mother's helpers. What do you pay them? Do you leave the house? Lock yourself in your office?
I haven't been inspired much lately ... feel like I'm slogging along as a YA writer when I'd like to be working on other things. My publisher has stuffed me into the YA pigeonhole, and while I'm enjoying it, I would like to have the time to write what I love, which isn't YA (at the moment.)
Anyway, great to meet you all! Will be back later! Back to the editing!

[rainbowvalleymama]

YA book recommendation

starling&diesel I would love to check out your books if you don't mind sharing a title or two--I have a voracious 13-yr-old reader in my life. Sorry you're being pigeon-holed though. Hope you get to work on other things as well.

Anyone else have book recommendations for ages 9, 13, or adult? I tend to get the best book recommendations from writers!

[Maprilynne]

Originally Posted by JoyMC

hi Maprilynne, i recognize your username from Absolute Write - it's so unique. is it your name?

hi to all the other writer mamas. i'm super swamped and was just popping in for a second. got to get back to the old book - i'm trying to plow forward and finish the first draft.

You take the M off and that's my name. (Scuze not just typing it--avoiding Google alerts.)

*waves* Hi!!!

[Maprilynne]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel

I'll play!
I'm a professional writer, have nine YA books published, lots of adult short fiction published in snooty literary mags and journals.
I'm also a paramedic, and work two days a week at 12+hour shifts at a station that's nearly an hour commute away.
I'm also a mama to a toddler, and in the works to have a second via IVF, if we can.
I'm here to find out how other writer mamas manage their time.
I'm actually in a coffee shop this morning, editing a manuscript that was due at the publishers a month ago. I got up at 530am and came here, and am still here at 830am. Getting a lot of work done. Little one is at home in bed with DP, who doesn't have to go to work until noon.
I just can't seem to squish it all in? How do you mamas do it?
Will it be harder with two? I work well under pressure, so maybe two would get me in high gear?
I like the idea of hiring mother's helpers. What do you pay them? Do you leave the house? Lock yourself in your office?
I haven't been inspired much lately ... feel like I'm slogging along as a YA writer when I'd like to be working on other things. My publisher has stuffed me into the YA pigeonhole, and while I'm enjoying it, I would like to have the time to write what I love, which isn't YA (at the moment.)
Anyway, great to meet you all! Will be back later! Back to the editing!

I get this question a lot as I am expecting number four and I always get a little chagrined and tell people I cheat, as I have a SAHHubby. But even with that, it can be SUPER busy! I write while my oldest two are at school and my husband watches our 3yo. But as soon as kids get home, it is all kid time. Homework, piano practice/lessons, general snuggling, etc. Then dinner (I love to cook, it is cathartic for me) and our bedtime routine takes about 45 minutes. And I save the evenings for time with hubby. Compartmentalizing my time helps me to not feel guilty about work taking away from kids, kids taking away from hubby, hubby taking away from work etc. (trust me, the guilt cycle is deadly, don't go there!)

That being said, I got my first contract when my hubby was just starting his second year of law school so there was quite a span where I wrote with three kids and VERY little help at home and, well, my house was not very neat, laundry backed up, and sometimes the kids just got put in front of a movie. Even with lots of help, there is never enough time unless you make it. Though it sounds like you do great!!

I do lock myself in my office--it's the only way my little bubs leaves me alone, even with Daddy to entertain him. I have never done the mother's helper thing, but I am anxious to see what kind of rate other moms pay them too.

[Maprilynne]

Originally Posted by rainbowvalleymama

starling&diesel

Anyone else have book recommendations for ages 9, 13, or adult? I tend to get the best book recommendations from writers!

Oooh! I am reading Peter and the Starcatchers (Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson) with my kids right now and I have been SO impressed! (good for a 9y.o.) I really like the Gallagher Girls (Ally Carter) series for a 13y.o. and there is a new book called Paranormalcy (Kiersten White) that is also really good.

[Maprilynne]

Originally Posted by Crafty

I was going to say, I recognize Maprilynne's name from AW as well! I'm just starting the querying process in regards to my novel, and it's awful and nerve-wracking and I hate it. I need to get started on the next one to take my mind off of it...

LOL! That's hilarious! I haven't done anything more than lurk there in literally years! Hello to you too!

[Teensy]

I'm subbing to this thread because I've signed up for NaNoWriMo for the first time and will be spending November attempting to write my (I assume piece of crap never to be read by anyone) novel.

I am planning to take my laptop somewhere without Wifi and try to work each morning after the kids go to school.

We'll see. . .

[fullofgrace]

Originally Posted by Maprilynne

and there is a new book called Paranormalcy (Kiersten White) that is also really good.

I have been eyeing this one! I should go pick it up.