Writers go through frustrating seasons. One of the most challenging is the writermama time, when you dash to your keyboard during naps, after late night feedings or while smiling and nodding at your little daredevil playing on the slide. Male writers must go through frustrations, too, but there’s nothing like strained peas on your computer screen. One of my sweet and talented students has a one-year-old cherub who goes a mile a minute. She writes in a closet.
Writing Tip for Today: What season of writing are you in?

• The Student Season. You stay up late working on your assignments, stealing away to work on that Great American Novel.
• The Newlywed Season. You’re distracted by your new and hectic married life, but convince yourself it’s all research.
• The Baby Years. You read standing up at the counter, try to squeeze in a few words during naps, try to keep your train of thought.
• The School Years. You write at soccer games, basketball games, football games and swim meets. You carry a lap top or notebook everywhere, because you’re always waiting to pick someone up or drop them off.
• The Empty Nest. You remember that Great American Novel, dust it off and realize you need a writing class. Also, the grand kids keep getting sticky fingerprints on your laptop and ask you when it’s their turn to play a game on it.

I tell the story of how I got started, standing up at the stove with an electric typewriter on top, checking on the several small children of my in-home daycare, napping peacefully while I typed. Whatever part of the journey you’re on, write anyway. If it helps, think of the single mom, tucked away in the closet, typing her heart out while her toddler bangs on the door.