S2E7: How can I find a writing community when I have a toddler?

Good Moms on Paper

Hi friends,
Today on the podcast, we discussed a great listener question:
How can I find/build a writing community when I’m the primary caregiver for my toddler? Or—can I get by as a writer without one? Momming is a job I love, but it’s all-consuming. Every hour that I have childcare is spent adjunct teaching (need to give that up—too little pay for too much time) or writing, because I have a book coming out and have hard deadlines I can’t ignore.

I can’t figure out how to carve out the time to nurture friendships with other writers, and even though I’m fresh out of grad school, I’ve let too many of those relationships fall through the cracks of early motherhood. Also, so many readings, master classes, workshops, etc. are held smack in the middle of my little girl’s bedtime, which I hate missing. Don’t even get me started on conferences and retreats. I’d love to spend six weeks in the French alps doing nothing but writing and eating croissants, but I also can’t imagine missing six weeks of my daughter’s life. It’s a weird problem, because I’m sort of okay with the isolation and I absolutely adore being a mom, but I’m aware that it’s probably not healthy and not great for my writing career to be so forever alone. Who am I going to hit up for blurbs if I don’t have any writer friends? My toddler’s kindermusik classmates?

We tried our best to help! If you have questions for us to answer on future epsiodes, email [e-mail]
Ellen's essay: About that Horrific Birth Scene in Fleishman is in Trouble
Update on the leopard gecko: he has a real cage now, and a heat lamp. Doing well, thanks.
xx
The Good Moms