This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
While writing, I may sprint down the stairs to retrieve a favorite stuffed animal, locate a blanket, respond to questions, mediate a problem, pour milk, or even drive to baseball practice. Most of the time, as a mother of two small children and a full time teacher, I often write in my head. During the day, I teach elementary school all day during the school year, and then, when I’m off in the summers, I spend my days with my two boys, ages eight and five. After publishing my first book with Bookouture, I began writing my second book, and my eight year old said: “Wait a minute. You’re going to do all that again?” My answer was: “Yep. And again, and again.” Writing has become a regular part of my day.
I get my largest stretch of writing time once my kids are asleep for the night, from around eight to ten o’clock. I tuck them in, read them stories, say prayers and then hunker down in the hallway between their bedrooms. Love Me for Me was written almost entirely on my hallway floor! I often wonder if, when they get older, the sound of clicking keys will remind them of their childhood. In the summer, when the days are longer, the light stretching to nearly nine o’clock, I spend many hours writing outside after they’re in bed. I will often write until the screen of my laptop is the only light in the black of night. In the winter, there’s a desk in my kitchen where I do most of my writing. There, I can write while still being a part of things.
A Christmas to Remember by Jenny Hale is out now.