Ever wonder how you can balance it all as a mom? This is one interview in a series talking to moms who have found a way to make it work. Meet Amanda, mother to Zachary, Krista and Lauren (21, 10 and 8 years old) she is also a writer and author of Mischief in the Mushroom Patch and A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch.
As a fairytale writer, Amanda Thrasher test markets her material right at home. One of her favorite parts of her job as an author of children’s books, Mischief in the Mushroom Patch and A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch, is to see her own kids reactions to her stories. Her personal writing mission is to bring back sweet and for her children to be proud of what she creates. While writing time is a must, Amanda has to squeeze working on her craft into an already busy school and sports schedule.
1. What do you love about being a mom?
I love hearing my children laugh – the deep, hearty laughs that fill a room. When I hear those, I know as a mom, in that moment, that I’m doing something right.
2. What do you enjoy most about working?
When I write, I am creating. When I begin a piece it is completely in my mind from start to finish before I pen it. I love taking imagery from my mind’s eye and having it leap to life on the paper. It never gets old. The books signings and promoting allow me to visit with other children and their parents. I particularly love spending time visiting schools and sharing the love of words, as in writing and creating. I also discuss the actual book production process with children of all ages, such as manuscripts, edit, text layout, art, marketing, promotion, etc.
3. What’s your biggest challenge in juggling both?
Without question it is having enough actual writing time. If I don’t write, I get stir crazy. My mind never stops racing. Scenes, dialog, pieces I’m working on continually flash through my mind. If I write down what I am thinking, I can move on to the next thing. I micro manage my time; it is a necessity since I work primarily from home.
4. How do you deal with it?
I schedule specific writing days and hours. On certain days, I will write from the time the kids go to school until I pick them up. On other days, I will schedule two to three hour slots at a time.
5. How do you re-charge?
I usually take a time out by meeting friends for lunch or coffee. This is our chance to take a deep breath, talk about our kids, their upcoming events and play catch up with each other. We really value these times since they rare.
6.What advice would you give other women considering being a working mom?
You do not have to do it all. It is ok if everything is not done in a day. Spread it out. Ask for help. I love that my 10-year-old will say, Mom can..? as in, Can I vacuum, can I pick up? etc. There was a time I would have re-done what she did (without her knowing of course). But now, I have learned to look the other way. I re-do it the next day or when it really does need to be done again and its ok. Life is too short to stress about the carpet; it is after all just a carpet.
7. Who inspires you?
John Grisham. But not for the reason you may think. His words inspire me to keep my own style but work harder to promote my work.
8. What one thing can you not live without?
My note book.
9. If you had an hour of time to yourself, how would you spend it?
That is easy. I would spend it at my favorite writing spot on the lake, of course, writing.
