After Page One: Growth

A guest post to motivate, encourage and inspire…

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I had no idea what lead me to this moment. I was searching for something through time and space but I couldn’t find it. I sensed something was missing but didn’t know what. I wanted more but of what? I had immersed myself in motherhood and being a stay-at-home-mum and though I loved it, I occasionally longed for my past freedoms. I needed to think about something else.

I had studied and worked hard before I had my darling babies. I used to write, but in the last few years I’d pushed it aside. As I wandered around Facebook for the hundredth time waiting for some wondrous event to occur, my six-month-old baby, who just loves to explore my keyboard, banged on the keyboard. He sent a friend request to an acquaintance. I didn’t even realize until the person accepted and my life changed course. This lead me to a Facebook page that I didn’t know existed. It was full of writers.

The inspiration, motivation, fun, crazy sense of humor and dedication of the group got me thinking. There were so many possibilities of what I could do with my writing. It would be something for me. Deep within my unorganized computer files I found a story I’d written. I refined it and emailed it off to a potential site. I tried to be patient. I would click refresh over and over on my email but I heard nothing. Many weeks later after nearly giving up hope of a response, an email arrived. My story found a home.

The connection with other writers encouraged me on. I read stories and blogs by other mommy writers and I wrote daily. I took every opportunity to write and read, even while breastfeeding the snuggly baby, and those sweet moments when the kids were sleeping. A baby sleeping or feeding in my arms and typing one-handed became the norm for me. During nighttime feeds I would type story ideas on my iPhone and whenever I traveled there was a journal floating around in my bag. My husband and I discussed writing and stories, not just the kid’s daily activities.

At the end of the day I had a sense of satisfaction in my little accomplishments. I started viewing my world with slightly different eyes. It was full of many stories being played out before me. I was excited, motivated and inspired to write. Nothing was too silly or serious to write about. It was all about fun, discovery and the journey. When my writing was rejected it helped me grow, but not give up. I discovered I can have it all. Just by writing, I am more content with my brain downloaded on the page rather than the twisted and messy in the boxes of my mind. I tell myself just keep writing.

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Join our After Page One series. We’re looking for 300 to 500-word guest posts that motivate, inspire, and encourage other mama-writers, and we’d love to feature YOUR thoughts about getting started, getting back to a writing project, integrating writing with motherhood, reading, or having a positive attitude. The list is endless, but here are some questions that might help you get started. We’ll publish a short bio so readers can learn more about you and your projects.