Writer Mama Riffs on Raising A Writing Career Alongside Your Kids

Yes, of course, I got wind of the bloggers who are getting huge book deals.

And once I recovered from my initial depression, I resolved to get over there when I had a minute and see what the heck all the fuss is about.

I even took the time to read an article in the New York Times, which failed, I noted, to make the connection between what Christian Lander has and what agents like.

Hello? Inquiring writers want to know.

So here’s the scoop. What agents like is simple. It’s timeless. And it’s the same thing’s that agents have always liked.

This guy, the one who started the blog on January 1st of this year and just landed a six-figure deal is:

1. Quite funny (snarky? I don’t think so…)
2. A fine writer (polished, exhibiting planning and thoughtfulness)
3. Absurdly popular (could what he says be any more true? I don’t think so…)

What agent in their right mind wouldn’t want to scoop him up?

And if you can find ten minutes to read his site, you can see for yourself what I’m talking about.

I found that eating cookies helped me quell the “why not me?” feeling, for what it’s worth.

Well that wasn’t too hard of a code to crack, now was it?

And if, like me, you are not particularly funny, you’ll just stay in your own process and not go grasping for something you’re not.

I don’t think the focus should be on blogging. He didn’t get a deal because he’s a blogger. He got the deal because of the quality, humor and popularity of his work.

The nice thing about blogging is that, of all the technologies available, it’s probably the easiest to use.

But to focus on the technology at the expense of the content, I think, is to confuse the art with the medium.

And this Christian Lander guy is pure genius. So let’s give him some credit.

Write on!

[This post updated on Friday, April 4 at 12:38 PST]

How interesting. Just when a post in Michael Stelzner’s blog, Writing White Papers, really tripped my trigger, my interview with Jackie Papandrew in the Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine appeared.

In my comment to Michael’s post, Merry Christmas, NOT Happy Holidays, I talk about the importance, for me, of diversity and following an inner, not an external, authority. And how that determines what I say to others, as opposed to what a study says:

I say “Happy Holidays” because I am part of an interfaith family. Sometimes I say “Happy Holy Days” to remind me that important traditions of the season we still practice today come from many (not just christian) faiths. I feel better about myself when I don’t make assumptions about others being one faith or another but remember that we are all the same regardless of what religion we choose or are raised in. At holiday time, I want to celebrate and acknowledge diversity because diversity is healthy and it’s the reality in which we live. I say Happy Holidays because I trust my gut, not a study when it comes to what I should say and to whom. Personally, I don’t find anything particularly American about Christmas. Nor do I associate being American to have anything to do with one religion or another. I am an advocate of people following their gut…and it will inform them of what to say when. Thanks for the discussion.

And then in the interview for Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine posted today, I elaborate on the same theme, which is be mindful of the rules but ultimately follow your gut.

You can read the interview here.

Coincidence? I think not.

Say “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas,” mamas, whichever you prefer, but for goodness sakes, do it because that’s how you feel in your heart. That’s the reason for my riff today. If there is one thing I’ve learned as a mom who strives to communicate with all moms, it’s how incredibly diverse we all are. I celebrate that diversity because homogeneity is fine…but diversity is divine.

While I’m bringing everything full circle, I want to acknowledge that this blog wasn’t chosen as a top ten blog by Writing White Papers. I’ve been meaning to write about that, but I’ve been so darn busy with deadlines and holiday prep.

I knew we wouldn’t be chosen after we were nominated when I saw the criteria for the top ten. For a split second, I had the urge to conform to someone else’s idea of what makes a good blog. Then I remembered that this blog has received almost 50,000 visitors this year and I came back to my senses.

You can view the list of nominees here and the blogs that were chosen here. Check them out. They are great blogs.
It’s unlikely that I’ll adhere to someone else’s standards any time soon because my blog is the place where I let it rip, not where I follow someone else’s rules. I encourage all bloggers to do the same.

Happy Holidays, mamas!

If you are completely content with yourself, that’s great.

Really. I mean it. That’s so nice…but it makes for kinda boring writing.

On the more interesting end of the spectrum, I went to hear Chelsea Cain speak at Willamette Writers this week.

Here’s what got my attention: A mom who wrote a really twisted thriller that ended up on the NYT Bestseller List. Doesn’t that sound interesting?

And Chelsea Cain did not disappoint. She was authentic, honest and just herself. She spoke candidly about her imperfections.

I like that in a mama.

And I was real too. I covered my ears when she read a gory description that I didn’t want to have imprinted on my brain.

Other folks at the meeting looked at me like I was crazy (Marc!). I didn’t care. It’s my brain and if I don’t want the image of a dead girl’s body in it, I’ll cover my ears.

But I digress. The point is that Chelsea Cain wasn’t acting like she’s got it all figured out.

She isn’t stricken with self-contentedness just because her books garner seven-figure advances now. And as a result of her humility, I walked out of that meeting appreciating her as a human being, not just a mother who wrote a twisted book (that’s what she called it).

So, if you must, go ahead and be content. Have your life in perfect order. Have perfect children. The perfect husband, home, etc. etc.

We will all be in awe. (Or we won’t believe you.) Repeat after me: Contentedness does not good writing make.

Viva la imperfection! That’s where we all live anyway.

And that’s my riff for today.