Feeling honored to be included in these parents that write interviews! We’re so many who
make it happen so let’s sing it - let’s cut the noise and get it done 💖🙏🏼
Love your segments of your writer life in the introductions by the way - can only sign under that your work on NOISE is just brilliant, cherish my copy ❤️
It's a thrill to showcase you Elin. Thanks for your enthusiasm and support plus for finding space in your busy life to complete this!
It's great to hear you're enjoying hearing my writing stories too - I'm loving seeing so many different ways that parent writers bring their work to the world 🎯
I'm so impressed with your ability to write with your children around you. I'm inspired to carry my Moleskin around with me now when I'm hanging out with my 2-year-old. Maybe I can get some writing time in!
I would love to hear more about Elin's ability to just write whenever there is a gap. I have a six and two year old which is lots of chaos. I have a very difficult time writing when they are nearby because I almost have to get myself into a meditative state to enter my story and there's not enough space or quiet or lack of interruptions to accomplish that.
Hopefully Elin will pop in and say more on this Heather.
Do you think it’s the type of writing that makes a difference? You say story - do you need to embody it to immerse in that world? It’s a great discussion point.
I’ve written all kinds of things with kids swirling around me. Thesis, refereed journal articles, book chapter for edited collections and for my last book on fatherhood the childcare I had in place to allow me uninterrupted time fell through. My ability to write in the centre of it all really depends on my own readiness, and whether someone else is a go-to for questions/feeding/mediation if squabbles.
One of the other realities is that gaps are dependent on Co-parenting, I think. For solo parents gaps can be like unicorns unless extended family become a village. As I write I wonder if I should answer questions in this column 🤣
First of all, PLEASE interview yourself and answer these questions!
Second of all, it definitely depends on what I'm writing. I can more easily squeeze in Substack essays around kids, even though that can be disjointed and frustrating. But for fiction, I need to be alone and give myself time to sink into the world again before I start writing. Everything I read from parents who write fiction says they just squeeze it in five or ten minute increments or else they would never finish a project. I find retaining my brain to accept that is incredibly difficult.
I hear you about fiction. Let’s check this out, shall we? I’ll check who is coming up in the column that writes fiction - maybe we could throw the question out to other fiction writers too? You’ve got me thinking 🤔
That would be incredible! I've written two (shelved) novels 10 years ago before kids and never went out on submission. Now I'm working on my first novel that I would love to attempt to get published WITH kids and my creative brain still thinks she's 19-23 😳
Thanks for developing (and for your question 🙏🏼) I definitely find the project to have an impact on my capacity to remain patient and tolerate the hustle around. This doesn’t change the fact that I tend to still do it all while they’re around, it just change how long it takes me to get going and I constantly try to minimize energy wasted to feeling frustrated when the environment isn’t right. It’s a continuous battle. I’m dabbling in some personal fiction projects, and I say personal because it’s the type that I don’t want to announce publicly to avoid putting the pressure to kill the thing. The way I work for fiction is to create more detailed “bullet points” of the plot than I’ve done in the past (read: pre kids). Like this it almost becomes like “answering a question” so it requires less immersion and ability to advance in small increments too… I don’t know if this makes sense? Let me know xx
This does help! I hate getting frustrated with them when I'm trying to write because they are just being kids! I'm the problem 😆
For my fiction, I do something similar but I still feel I need to get into a headspace dedicated to the fictional house I built for these characters to walk around in so it's difficult.
I'm working on starting creativity time with my six year old during the two year old nap time, but I'm already looking ahead to when my youngest drops naps because I don't think she will be as chill about creativity hour.
I hear you! I’ve got both mine (1.5 and 4) at home full time, so we have creativity hour on and off throughout the day 😅 There are quite many crafts/activities that both can do relatively young like play doh, or give their dolls a bath (I just put out loads of towels on the floor and they get occupied for quite a while pouring the water), watercolor (easy to wash off when it ends up everywhere), washi tape/stickers where the older do scrap booking things while the younger takts the stickers.
Something else I’ve done is to actually write in the garden when both kids are busy in the sandbox doing their thing. And I give my oldest tasks to help me keep an eye on her sister regarding certain things (like helping me to make sure she doesn’t eat the sand) and she enjoys to feel responsible and important. I always sit next by so I don’t leave them but it gives some more space than when it’s crafts that require more adult involvement…
Great ideas, thank you! I've recently discovered the magic of Play-Doh when trying to build two dressers for their rooms. They were entertained for HOURS with minimal interruption!
Funnily enough this week on the Parents who Think Podcast I'm not interviewing anyone, it's a solo episode. I remember to this soooo late it makes me laugh - I concentrate on showcasing others then realise, hmmm maybe I could shine the light on my voice. Saintly huh (I'm teasing)
It takes an inner balancing of being present to the kids while also being present to self. I love how you say it’s a superpower, translating ideas to words amid family is exactly that. It takes practice and a loosening up of how things need to be.
No one size fits all or rules here though because this column shows we all create differently.
It means a lot to me that you read this and commented - your views are appreciated Polina! 🥰🙏🏻
I am so excited to see the brilliant embroidery art that Elin does - I have been dabbling in this, just for enjoyment. Elin's are an amazing inspiration! My next step is to learn more stitchez and also choose the best elements from the 3 the I have done and take those forward.
I am of course now following Elin on the platforms!
Thank you so much Katie!! I’m beyond thrilled to have you along the journey, there are so many fun things to do with the embroidery medium 🥰 just let me know if you have any questions!
Feeling honored to be included in these parents that write interviews! We’re so many who
make it happen so let’s sing it - let’s cut the noise and get it done 💖🙏🏼
Love your segments of your writer life in the introductions by the way - can only sign under that your work on NOISE is just brilliant, cherish my copy ❤️
It's a thrill to showcase you Elin. Thanks for your enthusiasm and support plus for finding space in your busy life to complete this!
It's great to hear you're enjoying hearing my writing stories too - I'm loving seeing so many different ways that parent writers bring their work to the world 🎯
I'm so impressed with your ability to write with your children around you. I'm inspired to carry my Moleskin around with me now when I'm hanging out with my 2-year-old. Maybe I can get some writing time in!
I love that Elin inspired you to carry your Moleskin with you Noor! Here’s to writing time. 🍀
I would love to hear more about Elin's ability to just write whenever there is a gap. I have a six and two year old which is lots of chaos. I have a very difficult time writing when they are nearby because I almost have to get myself into a meditative state to enter my story and there's not enough space or quiet or lack of interruptions to accomplish that.
Hopefully Elin will pop in and say more on this Heather.
Do you think it’s the type of writing that makes a difference? You say story - do you need to embody it to immerse in that world? It’s a great discussion point.
I’ve written all kinds of things with kids swirling around me. Thesis, refereed journal articles, book chapter for edited collections and for my last book on fatherhood the childcare I had in place to allow me uninterrupted time fell through. My ability to write in the centre of it all really depends on my own readiness, and whether someone else is a go-to for questions/feeding/mediation if squabbles.
One of the other realities is that gaps are dependent on Co-parenting, I think. For solo parents gaps can be like unicorns unless extended family become a village. As I write I wonder if I should answer questions in this column 🤣
First of all, PLEASE interview yourself and answer these questions!
Second of all, it definitely depends on what I'm writing. I can more easily squeeze in Substack essays around kids, even though that can be disjointed and frustrating. But for fiction, I need to be alone and give myself time to sink into the world again before I start writing. Everything I read from parents who write fiction says they just squeeze it in five or ten minute increments or else they would never finish a project. I find retaining my brain to accept that is incredibly difficult.
I hear you about fiction. Let’s check this out, shall we? I’ll check who is coming up in the column that writes fiction - maybe we could throw the question out to other fiction writers too? You’ve got me thinking 🤔
That would be incredible! I've written two (shelved) novels 10 years ago before kids and never went out on submission. Now I'm working on my first novel that I would love to attempt to get published WITH kids and my creative brain still thinks she's 19-23 😳
Ps. I’ll answer the questions 😍
Thanks for developing (and for your question 🙏🏼) I definitely find the project to have an impact on my capacity to remain patient and tolerate the hustle around. This doesn’t change the fact that I tend to still do it all while they’re around, it just change how long it takes me to get going and I constantly try to minimize energy wasted to feeling frustrated when the environment isn’t right. It’s a continuous battle. I’m dabbling in some personal fiction projects, and I say personal because it’s the type that I don’t want to announce publicly to avoid putting the pressure to kill the thing. The way I work for fiction is to create more detailed “bullet points” of the plot than I’ve done in the past (read: pre kids). Like this it almost becomes like “answering a question” so it requires less immersion and ability to advance in small increments too… I don’t know if this makes sense? Let me know xx
This does help! I hate getting frustrated with them when I'm trying to write because they are just being kids! I'm the problem 😆
For my fiction, I do something similar but I still feel I need to get into a headspace dedicated to the fictional house I built for these characters to walk around in so it's difficult.
I'm working on starting creativity time with my six year old during the two year old nap time, but I'm already looking ahead to when my youngest drops naps because I don't think she will be as chill about creativity hour.
I hear you! I’ve got both mine (1.5 and 4) at home full time, so we have creativity hour on and off throughout the day 😅 There are quite many crafts/activities that both can do relatively young like play doh, or give their dolls a bath (I just put out loads of towels on the floor and they get occupied for quite a while pouring the water), watercolor (easy to wash off when it ends up everywhere), washi tape/stickers where the older do scrap booking things while the younger takts the stickers.
Something else I’ve done is to actually write in the garden when both kids are busy in the sandbox doing their thing. And I give my oldest tasks to help me keep an eye on her sister regarding certain things (like helping me to make sure she doesn’t eat the sand) and she enjoys to feel responsible and important. I always sit next by so I don’t leave them but it gives some more space than when it’s crafts that require more adult involvement…
Hope this gives some ideas 🥰
Great ideas, thank you! I've recently discovered the magic of Play-Doh when trying to build two dressers for their rooms. They were entertained for HOURS with minimal interruption!
You should answer questions in this column 🔥
Funnily enough this week on the Parents who Think Podcast I'm not interviewing anyone, it's a solo episode. I remember to this soooo late it makes me laugh - I concentrate on showcasing others then realise, hmmm maybe I could shine the light on my voice. Saintly huh (I'm teasing)
So I'll answer the questions. Ha.
It is definitely a superpower to write / work with the children around. Finding balance is always a quest 🌟
It takes an inner balancing of being present to the kids while also being present to self. I love how you say it’s a superpower, translating ideas to words amid family is exactly that. It takes practice and a loosening up of how things need to be.
No one size fits all or rules here though because this column shows we all create differently.
It means a lot to me that you read this and commented - your views are appreciated Polina! 🥰🙏🏻
I love Elin. So happy to see her interviewed. And I love her ability to create everywhere all the time. It’s infectious!
Yay, Elin is adorable. Couldn’t agree more, she’s an infectious soul.
She pings me texts and pics of writing and art ideas from adventures in her car. Such fun 🚗🤩
But most important, how about you, do you create wherever you are or ?? 💞
💖💖💖💖
Oh thank you Olivia!!! This made my day, so grateful 🙏🏼💖
I am so excited to see the brilliant embroidery art that Elin does - I have been dabbling in this, just for enjoyment. Elin's are an amazing inspiration! My next step is to learn more stitchez and also choose the best elements from the 3 the I have done and take those forward.
I am of course now following Elin on the platforms!
Thanks again!
Elin’s work is magnificent- what a treat you’re in for!
Love that you found her via this column Katie. 💞
Thank you so much Katie!! I’m beyond thrilled to have you along the journey, there are so many fun things to do with the embroidery medium 🥰 just let me know if you have any questions!