Indie Scribe Magazine April 2014 | Page 18

How do you manage balancing writing with being a full-time mother?

I have always said that my children come first and writing second. Once the children are at school or in bed that is when I will dedicate, anytime that is left, to my writing.

I could plan a writing session for a morning and then the school will call to let me know one of my children is unwell; writer’s hat off, mum’s apron on!

Where is your favourite place to write?

As such, I don’t have a favourite place, but I have a regime that needs to be followed before I put pencil to paper. (Yes, I start my stories the old fashioned way, notepad first.)

I sharpen my pencils, organise some background music and make sure the house is tidy. Would you believe I cannot start writing until I have tidied the house, well at least my workspace! I know, weird.

An hour can pass and I will have switched off totally from the outside world as I venture further into my imagination.

Ngaire Elder