Advice to a mom who wants to start writing
Mothers who write is a hot topic.
I wrote a guest post for Annette Gendler about my writing life with small kids. Last week, I gave away a signed copy of USE YOUR WORDS: A Mother’s Guide to Writing by Kate Hopper, and today I received a message on my Facebook author page from a friend with this question.
The question.
Hi Gillian- Can you briefly walk me through the process of writing a book and getting it published? I care for my son 24/7 and I don’t get a paycheck for that and we are practically destitute. I have lived a crazy life and think I might just be able to write a book but I would not know what to do afterwards. Any help would be great! Thanks!
My off the cuff answer because I haven’t had my coffee yet.
Hello! Thanks for reaching out to me. I am SO excited that you want to pursue writing. It’s a tough road, but very rewarding.
Here are the first couple things that popped into my head for a mama with a desire to write.
1) Just start writing. Seriously, this is the best advice and the most difficult, b/c we are busy moms, often times energy and money are both hard to come by, and we have these kids around who, frankly, don’t seem too happy that we are paying so much attention to our computers. Mary DeMuth says in her book, 11 Secrets to Getting Published that in order to write you most have your BOC (your butt on the chair)! (Sidebar, DeMuth’s 11 Secrets to Getting Published is a fantastic resource as well!)
If you want to write, and someday craft an essay, or a short story, or a book, the best thing you can do is set small goals to write. Kate Hopper says that you don’t have to write every day to be a writer. For moms it’s tricky, but even if you can carve out one hour a week to sit down and put words together, you’ll be on your way.
I have a couple fantastic resources that could help, and they aren’t too expensive.
The first book I thought of being USE YOUR WORDS: A writing guide for mothers by Kate Hopper. I just purchased a copy and it is great. It’s for mama writers of all levels. Each chapter Kate shares her experience of writing a memoir, an essay from another writer, writing prompts and thoughts on the craft.
2) Find a few blogs on writing. This is easy and free. Here are a few of my favorites.
Annette is my memoir instructor for a class I’ve been a part of for two years. She’s a mother, a writer, and a teacher and her blog posts range from writing prompts, for inspiration to write, to specifics on craft. Right now, Annette did a series of guest posts about how mothers find time to write. Check it out!
This is Kate Hopper’s website (the author of USE YOUR WORDS). She is instrumental in blazing a trail in the publishing word for serious writing on motherhood.
(Rachelle is an agent, and every post is remarkable. She also has a search feature on her blog. Utilize it to find specific posts on craft and memoir.)
3) Maybe further down the road, when the time is right, find a class either on-line or in town, or even just a few other moms who want to write, and meet up with them. You can find writing groups on craigslist that are free to join, start your own, or pay a little bit to join one like this: http://www.themomoirproject.com/ My friend does this class and LOVES it.
I’ve also put together an evergreen online memoir writing course called Memoir 101: write a memoir worthy of publishing. Check it out! I’d love to help you!
Even if you don’t have any money or time, you still can write.
It sounds like $$ is tight. Boy, can I relate to that. My suggestion would be to give yourself permission to set aside a little time to write. Get Kate’s book (it’s like $15), read blogs on writing, and then start writing.
And be forewarned, the process to publication is long (I’m finding this out all too well right now). Focus on craft first and let it take as long as it will take to build writing muscles. The best chance to get published is by writing the best story you can write. Once you have it, well, there are about a bazillion more steps towards publication.
Don’t be discouraged. A lot of people want to write. A lot of people write. But there is always room in the publishing world for another book. Your story matters.
I still encourage you to go for it, if it’s what you want to do.
Please let me know what else I can do to help.
Gillian
What about you? Mama writers – what advice would you add for my friend?
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