Hello again! Happy to be here even though I occasionally have felt like I’m biting off more than I can chew, but then I wanted to share the source of my recent inspiration.
Last week, I listened to episode 287 of The Writing Life Podcast produced by the National Centre For Writing. In the episode, novelist and NCW tutor Megan Bradbury shared her tips on how to create a writing routine and what her own routine has looked like over the years. She mentioned that (at the time) she had a 10 month old baby but was still working on her next project.
Although the episode didn’t focus specifically on writing with babies, it signalled to me that you can be the primary caregiver of a child and still pursue your creative work. Your routine won’t look the same as it did before (fewer coffee shop sessions and more 10-minute writing blitzes during naps) but that’s okay! The important thing is to be realistic, stay connected to your work and not feel like you have to tidy it away on a shelf for the foreseeable future. Giving up on something you love doesn’t benefit anyone. Of course, if you choose to take a break, that’s valid too!
Last Thursday, I actually did have one of those elusive coffee shop sessions (pic) and it felt both weird and marvellous. I’ve now officially started the first edit of my novel and I actually don’t hate it! It wouldn’t have happened without my future mother in law’s support though, and that’s something I want to write about in the future.
So yes, find those nuggets of time to stay connected to your creativity (if you want to) and don’t feel bad about it!
Thank you for reading!
Xx
Madicken Malm 