A Not-So-Secret Adventure Guide of an Author Mommy

 The same little handprints that attack the windows also attack the computer screen, and the screeching cries of eager voices in the background are in need of a referee,“MOM!” But those aren’t the only voices pulling at you from every direction though, eager to get their story out, are they? Bringing our great ideas to life can sometimes be a great challenge when we have children. Everybody wants their story told, especially the kids wrestling to tell us their side of story of who started it first!

            A happy mommy makes for happy kids, so how are we supposed to find time for ourselves with all of our motherly responsibilities? Sometimes the first question is whether to finish your coffee while it’s still hot or to finish a page. As I am writing this blog article I am struggling with the same question. My answer didn’t quite turn out the way that I wanted it to, of course…my baby got cranky and needed me, my two older kids are arguing endlessly over a videogame and my toddler threw a ball at me. Needless to say,  my coffee is half empty and cold, and I haven’t written a full page yet! So what am I going to do about this? I am going to help all of you who understand my adventure as an Author Mommy while I help myself!

            I am going to discuss five ways to successfully get some writing done with all of the commotions around us.

1    Multitasking like a crazed octopus to find that golden silence. The art of multitasking doesn’t have to consist of us trying to do everything at the same time! Really, it doesn’t! I often find myself searching for those rare quiet and uninterrupted moments in between mealtimes, clean ups, and diaper changes for a chance to scramble to the computer and just write. I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be that way! Seriously! Like any other job, the key to completing a task is to get into routine so that we have some energy and time to finish. Try picking a time during the day when the little ones are napping or are in bed at night, or in school, or at their extra-curricular activities. Too tired to stay awake? Do you remember those baby and early-years days? Make sure you go to sleep at night with them if possible so that your body is also getting enough sleep and try to get your sleep patterns and routines to match. Figure out a time of day when you feel at your best and save that time for writing, chores and errands can wait until later. If your busy day is still sucking the life out of you then don’t be afraid to ask for help from dad or a babysitter just for even just one hour each day. If you have to put off writing for some time then that is okay too! You will always come back to it later.

2. Computer problems! Who doesn’t have these? I don’t see any hands up (hehe). [heats up coffee] Firstly, don’t forget to SAVE and BACKUP your files when you need to leave the computer. Did you all read that big word…BACKUP? Please remember that! A fellow Author friend of mine had lost most of her book because her file was not BACKED UP properly. After my trial time expired with the Word program that came with the laptop my daughter showed me how she uses the Word Document in her Gmail account for school. It’s pretty neat! [nerd moment!] So I have been using that and backing up my work as well as uploading it into my Drop Box, saving it into my email folder and ‘sharing’ it with my very patient and amazing editor!

3. Organization! A VERY important word and yet it can seem almost impossible. Well, NOTHING is impossible – ever! It is crucial for us to stay as organized as we possibly can because we will forget where we left off last in writing our story and our characters will be mad at us (we don’t want that now, do we!), take-over dates and other deadlines will be forgotten. I advise investing in a planner or date book as well as creating one on the computer, phone etc. and keep up all information up to date on both. Set reminders if you can! This all may seem like lots of steps but well worth it! You will applaud yourself for it later.

4. Bring it back old school! Invest in a notebook or note pad and a cute pen with fuzz or a light up pencil topper of some sort and bring it with you for those space moments between meetings, lunch breaks or just the random moments in the middle of the night when characters decide they want to write their story pronto or when you see a hottie walking down the street that would make for a great muse of your favorite book boyfriend. But please, do not do this when driving! You may be surprised at how often this last moment actually does happen.

5. Help others! Not everyone is going to be as kind and generous as you, but karma is a real thing! Bloggers and authors are always looking for any extra help that we can to help get our name out there to readers and other bloggers. Introduce yourself, offer to help a fellow writer in need and they may return the favor! If someone has helped you with anything such as a referral, sharing your banner or street team on a social media post, pimped the hell out of you on social media or helped with a cover reveal, anything!, make sure to return the kind gesture and ask if they need your help too, even with just a donation for a give-away event is a HUGE help! You will also be on your way to meeting new people and forming amazing relationships like I have!

            Among our Author goals and many parenting duties, we can always find a little time to write, even the tiniest! We don’t have to give up one or the other, we can have both! Never be afraid to ask for help! Write out a schedule and set sail to finish the book that you’ve started, don’t be afraid to stop writing if you are needed elsewhere and don’t beat yourself up about it when it gets frustrating. Take a break! Making more time for life’s most precious moments with loved ones are always more important because you can never get those moments back but our books can always be saved for later. The worst that you can do is not write at all so keep your head up and write from the heart!

ABOUT CRYSTAL ST.CLAIR        

Crystal St. Clair is a busy mom who lives in the multicultural country of Canada who does not live in an igloo but would love to own a pet beaver who loves maple syrup and pancakes. She is a proud sponsor member of Plan Canada – I Am A Girl Foundation and has volunteered with Canine Connect A Care Rescue. She graduated as a Law Clerk but would love to one day become an Author full time writing novels for adults and younger generations. She can often be found playing soccer with her children while her dog steals the spotlight, making others laugh, and writing poetry and other stories. She played Momma Bear in a Middle School production of The Berenstain Bears and that is where her creative writing interest began.

Her first book:

“Kingdom of Celosia: Hearts On Fire Amongst Cold Shadows” (Volume 1) by Crystal St. Clair

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Ms+Crystal+St.Clair&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3AMs+Crystal+St.Clair

kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/kingdom-of-celosia-hearts-on-fire-amongst-cold-shadows

Barnes&Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kingdom-of-celosia-authorcrystalstclair/1120176877?ean=2940046256789

Connect with her on:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/iam.mzcryz?fref=ts