So you want to write something. A book. An article. Probably a book. But there’s a problem. A few years ago, you were foolish enough to have children. You love your kids – of course you do. But WHY didn’t you finish that novel years back, when you had whole weekends to yourself?
Lies We Tell Mothers
Now it’s too late. You can’t give them back, can you? Or IS it too late? No. Actually it isn’t. Plenty of authors have young kids and still knock out whole novels. I’m one of them.
Here are my tips top help you do it too:
Start Early
Are you an early bird or night owl? Let me answer that for you – ALL parents are early birds. Why? Because kids are early birds. Write early in the day if possible, when you still have energy.
If it’s not possible, embrace caffeine and alcohol of an evening. It’s okay – most writers drink too much. Roald Dahl said so.
Write 1000 words a day
If you’re writing a novel, your new favourite word is 1k. Or is that two words? Actually yes. Your new favourite two words. Aim to write at least 1000 words every day NO MATTER WHAT.
Make a commitment
If you care about writing, you need to make a commitment. What’s that kids? You want breakfast? There are pop tarts somewhere. Don’t burn yourself on the toaster. But joking aside (although my kids do make their own Pop Tarts), you have to make writing a BIG priority. If you don’t, there are a million other parenting jobs that will take its place.
Use the TV
Is it bad parenting to sit your kids in front of the TV for an hour while you write? No. It’s fine. I grew up with at least an hour of TV a day, plus unlimited Amstrad computer time (most of which was spent waiting for games to load). And look at me now, I’m an internationally bestselling novelist. All those She Ra episodes did wonders for my narrative understanding and character arcs. Don’t deprive your kids of this experience, or yourself of writing time.
Use Ulysses or Scrivenor
Hard working parents have brains like swiss cheese. Messy note books and muddled Word documents are not your friend. Use proper writing software so you can see exactly where you’re going.
Don’t look back
Keep going forward, ever forward. The moment you start going back over what you’ve written, you’re doomed to nit-picking and never finishing. Editing and rewriting is the easy option when you’re a tired parent – but this way madness lies. DO NOT EDIT OR REWRITE until you’ve finished your first draft. That’s what the second draft is for.
Remember JK Rowling did it
JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter in coffee shops while her little baby slept. She was a single mother on benefits and could barely afford her espresso, but she still penned the world’s bestselling book. If she could do it, so can you.
Suzy K Quinn is a globally bestselling author, and writes parenting fiction and psychological thrillers. You can download a free book via her website: https://www.suzykquinn.com
Her latest book, Lies We Tell Mothers, is out now.
Suzy K Quinn writes parenting fiction and non-fiction and domestic noir. Her books are all available on Kindle Unlimited, and you can find her on twitter @suzykquinn or download a free book via her website: https://www.suzykquinn.com/