Parents that Write: #10 Q&A with Alberto Cabas Vidani
RIFF: a study in discipline
Welcome to my weekly interview column.
When conversation turns to parent creatives - writers and artists, especially mothers - the focus often shifts to the chaos and supposed impossibility of juggling creativity with parenthood.
—> Let’s CUT THE NOISE:
Parents publish books, drop albums, get screenplays optioned, and pour their souls into poems every single day.
How do they do it? That’s what we’re here to uncover.
I’m delighted to showcase talented parent-writers and creators as they answer eight bite-size questions, plus a few more they pick from a juicy list I send their way.1.
But before we meet today’s guest, here’s a peek behind the scenes of my own creative life.
No-Fluff Notes from my Writing Life
After deciding to self-publish and naming my imprint Triumph Press, the next step was getting it off the ground. I’ll admit, this wasn’t the most exciting part, it felt more like a necessary slog. But when you want full control of your work, this is where it starts.
The first decision was the business structure. Should I keep it simple, or go for something more complex, like a limited company? It’s about weighing your vision for the imprint with the most cost-effective way to start. For me, the priority was keeping things manageable, knowing I could evolve the structure later if needed2. From tiny seeds, big trees grow, after all.
Then, there’s the brand itself. Trademarking is something every business should think about, especially when it’s tied to your creative work. Protecting the name is about ensuring it’s legally yours and guarding it as your work grows.
Researching the indie publishing market is essential too. The indie scene has exploded in recent years, with small presses shaking up the literary world. As featured in a 2023 Observer article, indie publishers like Fitzcarraldo Editions have made their mark, some winning Booker and Nobel prizes.
It’s clear: indie publishing is no longer a side gig; it’s serious business. So, if you’re considering this path, research the space. Indie publishing gives you control, but it also means understanding the industry’s complexities.
Finances were another hurdle. While I already had a robust business accounting system in place, getting solid advice from my accountant about this new venture was crucial. Having someone who knows the ins and outs of taxes, for instance, can make all the difference.
Setting up an imprint is like setting up any small business. It’s an investment, and figuring out how to fund it is part of the process. But whether you start small or go big, it’s all about bringing your vision to life!
Next week, my guest is
, multi-award winning author of 14 books and mother of four. Plus, I’ll also share my decision-making process behind choosing the size of my motherhood book. Hope you’ll join me for that!
It’s a delight to bring you today, author of
Substack- his practical and insightful guide for creators looking to build consistent, sustainable creative habits. Focused on productivity, mindset, and the art of balancing creativity with daily life, Alberto offers actionable strategies to overcome creative blocks, manage time effectively, and maintain momentum.
Share a broad snapshot of your life. Who are you parent to and/or have caring responsibilities for?
First of all, I'm Italian. This is crucial because the disposable income and services for families are different compared to other countries.
I'm 42 years old and have a 5-year-old son. We had to resort to in vitro fertilization to have him, and it took 5 years of attempts. Afterward, we tried 5 more times, but they all failed. This makes him extremely special.
Leonardo is one of those precocious children, full of initiative and very active, much more than his peers. We see it constantly and hear it from other parents.
It was immediately clear that he felt much better at home or with his parents. It made him calmer and more serene, even though spending time with his adoring grandparents also entertains him.
From the start, I tried to maximize my time with him because I work from home and set my own hours, while my wife has a traditional job. I've sacrificed a lot of my productivity. I don't just spend time with him during the day. I also suffered from severe sleep deprivation for at least 2 full years because he would fall asleep late and wake up before 6AM.
He has also always preferred being with me over my wife. It's always been easier for me to calm him down and help him manage his impatience. So it's a lot of work. But in any case, my parents give us great help by taking care of him for a few hours every day after preschool and all day in August.
Where can we find you?
Can you share favourite praise for your writing, or words you’d love to read about your work?
A comment on an article on Medium
”Thank you for this! I love how practical, concise, and full of actionable example this article is. Sometimes I feel like a piece I read gave me interesting thoughts, but no clear answer - or a simple suggestion - to how apply the discussed insights. And after this article, I'm full of ideas of what to do, as it was indeed helpful. Thank you!”
Why do you write?
I dreamed of a career in academia. But my PhD in computer science taught me the environment wasn't for me. While investigating how to work from home and increase my autonomy, I discovered blogging.
I launched my first blog in 2010. Since then, I've always been an always entrepreneur. But the Italian scene is limited (and limiting). So I started writing in English.
So, I write to attract an audience and build a business.
But, most of all, I'm a teacher at heart. I feel the urge to share what I know, break limiting convictions, help people reach their potential.
What does the inside of your writing mind look like?
An intricate web of multi-indented outlines! 😉
I always cultivated diverse interests, hobbies, and skills. I get the gist of things, schematize them and connect them, even when they're distant.
How is your ability to write affected by being a parent and your ability to parent affected by your writing?
Parenting is wonderful, and it's become my priority 5+ years ago.
For now, it has mainly had negative effects on my writing:
- I can't wake up early enough to write because my son wakes up early
- for the same reason, most mornings I haven't had high creative energy
- I have often had to work in short bursts to accommodate my family needs
At the same time, I'm more motivated to make this work. It's a great example of autonomy and resourcefulness. And a source of additional hours with my son.
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?
Almost never. I try to keep less intensive tasks for when my son is around. Even when he's with my wife, he often just can't resist looking for me. So, I try to schedule writing time for when I'm sure he won't be around for a while.
What is your best writing habit and how did you discover it?
The usual one: blocking time for writing (or editing) earlier in the day.
Discovering it was easy. Everyone is talking about it. I'm constantly experimenting with productivity techniques. It was glaring that this one lead to faster writing and better results.
What are the three most important characteristics of being a writer who is a parent?
⏩ Self-awareness. This is always crucial. But for writers it means knowing what kind of energy do you know for the different tasks that make up writing, knowing when you have that energy, and planning accordingly.
⏩ Flexibility. I often have to reschedule my days. But, when children are very young, they change quickly, almost abruptly.
So, I had to change my entire routine several times over these 5 years.
What or who is your secret writing weapon?
Clarity.
As I said above, my mind naturally grasps concepts in multiple disciplines and organizes them neatly.
Then, I leave in fear of being misunderstood. So, I bend over backwards to convey that clarity to my audience. Even when it's just a conversation at dinner with my wife.
What or who has been the most significant creative influence in your life?
I could say my parents. They didn't have creative jobs. But they showed me that life's hurdles are riddles to conquer, not threats to escape from.
What are your coping tactics for being (constantly) interrupted in your thought process?
When I'm deep into thinking, interruptions infuriate me. It's a gut reaction. I try to prevent it, by blocking time for creative activities when I know I won't be interrupted.
But I recognize that, after becoming a dad, I've improved at working in short bursts. In any case, I write everything down in my Notion database. Or I dictate using AI. So, I'm almost always able to recover what I was doing.
What’s your best writing time?
In the morning, as soon as I'm alone. The second best is in the afternoon, after a binaural-beats-powered nap and 15-30 minutes of reading.
You’re a writer: name 3 of your procrastination techniques.
I don't think I procrastinate on writing tasks. I wish I could do it more often. I procrastinate on networking and administrative tasks. Writing may be my procrastination technique.
How much torture/pleasure is involved in your writing life and in what form does it come?
You're right, torture and pleasure are intertwined. I spend too much time editing. I keep cutting to be more concise. And I keep finding different ways to say things, aiming for the most powerful formulation. This limits my output and doesn't guarantee success. But I like it.
If your writing discipline was a food, what would it be?
The protein-rich salad I eat every day, with ingredients prepared in advance, so as to optimize productivity. By the way, it's also delicious.
Do you use any productivity hacks like toggling, Pomodoro, Focusmate?
I should use the Pomodoro technique more, especially to force me to take breaks. My most used productivity hacks:
- dictating to AI while walking
- working on a standing desk
- stretching constantly during the day
- breathing exercises
- a 30-minute nap with binaural beats after launch
- workouts
- protein-rich, low-carb(ish) diet
- having a clear workflow organized in a Notion board
What unfinished writing projects do you have lying about?
Hundreds of article ideas that I think have potential. I should create more products, starting from small ebooks.
Share a picture of what ‘A Room of One’s Own’ means to you, and why.
I would love a room full of action figures, movie posters, LEGO sets that mean something to me. But I am too frugal and minimalist. And, by the way, I don't have my own room to work from.
What are your favourite/preferred writing conditions in terms of clothes, environment, food you eat and anything else that helps you write?
Very comfy clothes, a jumpsuit during cold months, shorts and t-shirt (or shirtless) during hot months.
The environment needs bright, diffused, hot white light. Basically indirect sunlight from a wall-wide window.
What music do you listen to while writing?
I don't have a playlist. I like instrumental music of disparate genres:
- jazz (mainly guitars)
- OSTs
- progressive metal
An Encore
“Look at usual things with unusual eyes.” - - Vico Magistretti
I looked up several topics because of Alberto’s answers: binaural beats, and OST’s plus he reminded me to dictate to AI. Are they new in your world, or is it just me?
One of the themes that shines through in this interview is Alberto’s intentionality and discipline. How messy are you in your creative life, and how much structure do you create?
I always love to read your experiences, drop your thoughts in the comments below and I’ll reply.
To read the full list of questions read this interview
I could go on about the intersection of business structure and finances, but the key for me was keeping things simple. With a solid accounting system already in place for my consulting firm, I didn’t want to add unnecessary complexity with the imprint. Whatever business structure you choose, it needs to match the anticipated revenue.
I really related to this interview! I have the same schedule and challenges with two young children. My favorite quote was: "I don't think I procrastinate on writing tasks. I wish I could do it more often. I procrastinate on networking and administrative tasks. Writing may be my procrastination technique."
I would love to hear more about AI. I just send myself voice memos via email, what does AI do that's different?