Highly Effectives Tips on Writing a Book as a Parent!

 

One of the greatest challenges that anyone can face is being a parent. And this is even more evident when you are writing a novel. Writing is like a vocation and it takes a great amount of time and effort to master the craft. Which if coupled with the equally time consuming task of being a parent is also quite difficult. But as impossible as it may seem you can still be a parent and have a fulfilling writing career. All you really need to do is know how to harmonize both your duty as a parent and your passion as a writer. Here are some tips on how to write effectively as a parent.

• Think positively on the situation

One of the main reasons why some writers give up on their dreams of being great writers is the fact that they will no longer have any time to write because all their time will be used up to take care of the baby. Although it might not be easy, you can still be an effective writer. One great example of this is J.K Rowling. The famous author was a single mom when she first started writing the Harry Potter series. Although money was tight and the odds were stacked against her, she was able to create one of the most beloved children’s book series of all time. So if you are feeling overwhelmed and just want to quit on your dream as a writer, remember that even J.K Rowling went through these kinds of challenges. It all really counts on how positive you are about the situation.

• Use your kids as a source of inspiration

One of the greatest driving forces in life is love and familial love is considered as one of the most potent ever. This love is what drives a parent to do the impossible for their kids. Being a writer also takes a great deal of passion to fuel your work. Which is why you should use your kids as a source of inspiration. Don’t look at your being a parent as a burden, think of it as a privilege. This positive outlook on parenthood will surely do wonders for your writing and help you achieve your dream of writing a book.

• Be realistic in your expectations

Being a writer is very unpredictable because you never know if your book is going to sell or not. Which is why you should be as realistic with your expectations as much as possible. If you release a book in the future don’t expect too much because you will only be setting yourself up for disappointment if it does not go well. Just remember that your being a parent does not impede you in reaching your full potential.

• Keep writing!

One of the mistakes that some writers commit when they become parents is that they take a hiatus from writing. Although it’s ok for you to take a short break from writing, it should not be for too long. You will be surprised how fast time moves and you will find yourself saying that you are too busy or tired to write again. Remember that writing is predominantly a habit, so it is very difficult to get back in the mood once you are away for some time.

• Follow a writing schedule

One of the biggest challenges that you can face if you are balancing between being a parent and a writer is the schedule. This is because both parenting and writing takes most of your time. So you should really set a schedule for your writing. Maybe an hour or two every day for writing a story for your book and the rest of the day for your parenting duties. The schedule really depends on your preference and when your child is already asleep. If your child is only a few months old you should keep your schedule as flexible as possible because babies sleep patterns are unpredictable. If your child is kindergarten age you can adopt a more stable schedule. You can set your writing sessions early in the morning from around 4 to 6. Or you can have them once your child has already gone to sleep. All in all your schedule is all up to you.