This quarter’s profile features Margaret O’Hair, author of Twin to Twin and Star Baby, which was released this past October.

Margaret has a wonderful outlook on being a writing and working mom. She knows where her priorities lie (with her family), but she also knows that writing is important for her soul and finds ways to write despite teaching full time. In fact, she sees her job as a first grade teacher as a source of inspiration. “Teaching them to read and to have their own love of books gives me fresh appreciation for the value of words.”

MWLM: How do you juggle being a mom and a published author?

MOH: Being a mom is the hardest job in the world.  We all know that.   Trying to write on top of that is like trying to keep whipped cream from melting in July…it is a challenge!   But teaching first grade full time puts the sprinkles on my sundae.  I wouldn't trade any of it.

MWLM: Do you write based on a schedule?

MOH: I write when I am inspired to write.  That said, if I am in the classroom or if I am doing something I need to do for my family, the inspiration has to wait.  My family is very understanding though.  They are supportive about my need to create, and they don't complain about it.  But you only have so much time with your kids, and unless I have to do something that exact minute, I try to spend my time tokens in my favorite role of mom.  I know I can always write when they go to bed.  Half the time this doesn't work though because I am exhausted and in bed too.  Still, somehow writing does get done.  So I guess I don't write based on a schedule, but rather when it is possible to write.

MWLM: Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, what do you do to overcome it?

MOH: When I get writer's block, I either don't write, or I switch gears and work on other stories. I have about 14 stories going right now, so one of them usually works.  If I don't feel like writing anything, I do writing stuff like my blog, reading about writing technique, or reading a book in the genre I am focusing on.  Writing has a lot of sidebar activities that need doing.

MWLM: What is the biggest challenge you face as a mom writer?

MOH: The biggest challenge I feel is not giving up when it seems like things that I juggle fall down around me or when I get absolutely exhausted and don't think I can ever find energy again.  When I drop the balls that I juggle, I try not to drop the glass ones…the ones that are the dearest.  When I get exhausted, I go away from writing for a few days and jump back into life before I jump back in the world of books.  I just keep going forward.  I think that if a week goes by, and I can look back and see that my steps have gone farther than when the week began, I am doing okay.  Patience is everything.

MWLM: What one piece of advice would you give to moms trying to pursue a writing career?

MOH: Network with other mom writers.  They are your jewels for your treasure chest.  They know what you go through.  They know your heart because dreams like yours are in their heart.  They know your struggles to keep going with the craft. They know what it is like to feel like the wave has lapped over your skull, and that you are drowning in a dream that will never come true.  They celebrate when you find your surfboard of work that you can use to ride that wave.  In turn, when a mom writer reaches out to you, remember to reach back.  Those friendships are what will see you through.

One of the things that struck me about Margaret while doing this profile is her love of words and of the written language. She states “Words are everything.  Words are what I use to make my to-do list.  Words are what I use to delegate tasks and what I use to rise up and meet challenges.  Words are communication between my family and myself so that life doesn't totally fall apart as the walls of my worlds sometimes collide.  Words are what I use to thank God for the opportunity to want so much and try to make the dreams come true.”

Margaret’s books are available from her website at www.TheReadingMom.com and online book retailers such as Amazon.com.