GROUND: calm in the chaos with Catherine Wilde
Parents that Write #15 Q&A
Welcome to my weekly interview column.
When we talk about parent creatives ~ writers, artists, content creators ~ the focus often lands on the chaos of balancing creativity and parenting. Let’s CUT THIS NOISE:
—> Parents publish books, drop albums, option screenplays, and create art + content every day.
How? That’s what we’re here to uncover. Let’s find out as my guests answer eight quick questions, plus a few they handpick from a list. Before we meet today’s guest, here’s a tiny look into my own creative life:
No-Fluff Notes from my Writing Life
You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Solid advice for life, sure, but when it comes to books, it’s complete nonsense. In reality, readers absolutely judge books by their covers, and in a saturated market, they have to.
A compelling cover is the first thing a potential reader notices. It’s a marketing tool, a brand statement, and the reason someone picks up your book, or scrolls past it.
The stats back this up. Around 57% of readers say the cover alone determines whether they’ll pick up a book, while 80% admit to avoiding books with unappealing covers. If your cover doesn’t connect, it doesn’t matter how brilliant the content is; it’s already lost its chance to be read.
And it’s not just the front cover.
The back cover blurb is equally important. It’s where readers decide whether to commit. But let’s be honest: if your cover doesn’t stand out, many people won’t even bother turning the book over to read the blurb.
In such a crowded market, your cover has to do more than look good — it has to tell readers exactly what kind of book it is, who it’s for, and why it’s worth their time. For NOISE, I knew the cover had to reflect its bold, intimate, and sharply honest tone. This wasn’t just about slapping on an image and hoping for the best. It was about creating something that could stop a reader mid-scroll or make them pause in a bookshop, IRL or online.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll share how I approached this process —from searching for designers to collaborating on the final masterpiece. This is, hands down, my favourite part of the production journey, and I can’t wait to tell you insider tips I wish I’d read before starting. Everything from finding the right designer to creating a cover that truly stands out.
Next week, I’ll take you deeper into the behind-the-scenes magic of cover design, sharing how I searched high and low for the perfect designer to bring NOISE to life. And my guest, Douglas Weissman, tells us some truths about his creative life - its tortures, its pleasures and how he balances writing with being a breadwinner and raising a family. I’d love for you to join me as the story continues!
Today, I bring you a sanctuary for mothers. Catherine reflects on the power of carving intentional space for creativity, self-care, and soul-nourishing rituals. Her words inspire a grounded sense of balance, reminding readers to honour their own needs while embracing the ever-evolving journey of motherhood.
Share a broad snapshot of your life. Who are you parent to and/or have caring responsibilities for?
I’m Catherine Wilde a homeschooling mom of three incredible kids, the founder of Soul Care Mom, and the best-selling author of Reclaiming Your Inner Sparkle.
After the birth of my first child, the reality of motherhood began to sink in. I absolutely loved being a mom, but at the same time I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and felt like I was constantly failing. As our family grew, life became more chaotic. I knew there had to be a better way.
I realized that prioritizing my needs and tuning into my intuition was allowing me to find pockets of calm in the chaos of motherhood and feel more confident as a mom. Over time I found simple ways to bring self care into my busy days. I felt nourished, cared for, and loved, and in turn was better able to nourish, care for, and love my family.
There is more laughter and love in our home now than I could have ever imagined possible. I truly believe you can feel calm and find your unshakable confidence as a mom when you first care for yourself. And I'm passionate about helping women find themselves again in motherhood and carve out time to do the things they love without mom guilt, all while being the mom they want to be 💖
Where can we find you?
Website | Book | Journal | Gift
Can you share favourite praise for your writing?
Each time someone shares how being a part of the Soul Care Mom world has transformed their life, it makes my heart SO happy. Here are a couple of the beautiful words I've received from Soul Care Moms:
“I love that you allow space for every feeling and truly show that every emotion is valid! Thank you for holding this space to remind us of self love!!! You always know just what to say to fill my soul!!” - Faith D.
You probably do not hear this enough but thank you for cultivating such an encouraging, uplifting space. It is truly a joy to be a part of this community! - Stacie A.
Why do you write?
Hmmm....why do I write? My hand perched above the smooth blank canvas of the page invites me to play. The gentle scratches of the pen as the waves of thoughts and ideas in my mind appear from the ether and take form before me. Writing helps me to make sense of my inner and outer world. It allows me to nourish my soul, grow, and connect with other beautiful souls, like you.
What does the inside of your writing mind look like?
Hello there, Love. Welcome to my mind. Come on in. I'll make you a cup of tea.
Sometimes, the landscape feels like a shore with the waves rolling in and receding. A spark of an idea rides in on a wave towards me. I gather it up, making a note to save it for later. And other times the wave washes away leaving me grasping at thin air. Teaching me patience and trust. Every idea showing up or reappearing in its own perfect time.
Other times, within my mind, ideas pop up like the bright rounded pins used in sewing or embroidery work. Pins popping up throughout the day...while spending time in nature feeling the breeze playing with my hair, hiking with my kids and marveling at the birds as they hop along the branches, or simply sitting on the back porch with a cup of tea.
But the beauty happens when these seemingly separate moments start to link together, a thread wrapping around the base of a pink pin, working its way towards a yellow pin...helping to infuse meaning and magic into everyday life. Then, allowing those threads to move from my mind to the page, physical or digital, bringing my words out of my mind and into the world.
Thanks for joining me for a glimpse into my mind. I hope you found it welcoming and magical. ✨
How is your ability to write affected by being a parent and your ability to parent affected by your writing?
My writing journey started as a child with a peach-colored journal with a small padlock and a tiny key 🗝️
Becoming a mother brought back the yearning to bring pen to paper once more. Taking time to write helps me to press the pause button on life. It allows me to slow down and reflect, which in turn helps me to bring more mindfulness and connection to my relationship with my children. But, being a parent could easily be an excuse not to write. The journey with children can be filled to the brim with chaos and overflowing schedules. Because of this fullness, I find I need to be intentional about carving out space for writing and other creative and soul nourishing endeavors.
How often do you write with your child around or not, and what kind of writing do you get done when your child is nearby?
Most of my writing happens in the in-between moments. But much of my inspiration comes from living life alongside the sweet souls that bless my life. The organic moments of playfulness and questions filled with curiosity and wonder inform much of my writing in this season.
What is your best writing habit and how did you discover it?
One of my best writing habits is a practice called Morning Pages from The Artist's Way. I start by releasing everything that's top of mind: thoughts, ideas, and items to add to the grocery list. Everything that's cluttering the doorway to my creative home, blocking its path from within to the page.
What are the three most important characteristics of being a writer who is a parent?
The three characteristics that guide me in my writing as a parent:
1) Flexibility - Releasing my expectations of what writing "should" look like and allowing myself to play within the path of my motherhood journey.
2) Focus - When I carve out some time or find a delightful pocket of time for writing in my day, I lean in with intention. It's incredible what can unfold with a bit of focus and intention.
3) Flow - Relaxing into the moment, whether in motherhood or in writing, creates an invitation for playfulness, creativity, and flow to touch my life and my words.
What or who is your secret writing weapon?
Life as a parent can feel busy. And writing can sometimes feel like "one more thing to do." Often when I attempt to force myself to do more, it usually leads to feelings of burnout and stuckness. My secret, especially when the work is feeling heavy, is to do less, instead of more.
So instead of forcing myself to write...I give myself permission to breathe and release expectations. This may sound counterintuitive, but when I allow for spaciousness in my life, I find that the door to creativity is able to open with more ease. Ideas and inspiration burst forth, flowing in, reigniting my spark and allowing the words to flow.
What or who has been the most significant creative influence in your life?
Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way was one of my first glimpses into the life of an artist. It allowed me to step into the world of creativity, giving me permission, practices, and an idea of what a creative life could look like. Her beautiful work helped me to step into flow and embody a creative way of living and being.
What’s your best writing time?
The house is dark and still...the sun peeking over the horizon…wisps of steam rising from the cup of tea on the table. I sit down, pick up my pen, and begin to write.
The still and quiet moments of the early morning provide a beautiful and distraction-free time for deep, uninterrupted connection with myself. Time for quiet contemplation and creation. This is my favorite time to write.
What motivates you to write amongst the flurry of family life?
Intentionally carving out space for writing not only helps me to embody my core value of spaciousness, it also assists me in finding clarity in all the areas of my life.
What’s your favourite quote from a writer?
"Slow writing is a meditative act. It acknowledges that we are all beginners and insists we cultivate empathy for ourselves because being a writer isn't easy. Slow writing is a way to resist the dehumanization inherent in a world that values speed. It's one way to find - or return to - our authentic selves." - Louise DeSalvo
Closing out this Column with:
“Writers have to get used to launching something beautiful and watching it crash and burn. They also have to learn when to let go control, when the work takes off on its own and flies, farther than they ever planned or imagined, to places they didn't know they knew.” - - Ursula K. Le Guin
Thank you so much for this beautiful opportunity to share my writing journey as a parent! 💖