Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books!
Today we are welcoming Mysti Parker to the blog. We are participating in her Virtual Blog Tour which runs for a month from April 18th. Mysti will be giving away an ebook copy of her book A Ranger’s Tale to one commenter – so be sure to leave a comment if this is a book that you are interested in! Also, she is giving away a signed print copy of the same book to one commenter from the whole tour!
Today Mysti is guest posting. When I read her bio in preparation for this post, I found out that she manages to find time to write and she has three kids. Unbelievable! I have two and I’m run ragged most days and don’t work outside of the house. So, of course, my question is “How do you have time to write?”. Here’s her answer:
First of all, thanks to Barb for having me here on Sugarbeat’s Books today! I hope you all will enjoy my post. As a new author and full time mom of three, I’ve been asked on several occasions “How do you have the time to write?” My answer is, “I don’t.”
Before you all scratch your heads in confusion and wonder if I have some ghost writer chained in my closet, let me elaborate. If I sat down and wrote out a list of all the things that vie for my attention each and every day, it would fill every hour. I could honestly be busy with something 24/7. There is always laundry to be done, dishes to be washed, floors to be swept, kids to be fed, groceries to be bought.
So, how do I have the time? I make it. I fit in my writing time in little spurts. When the three-year-old boy is watching Wonder Pets or napping. When my girls are doing their homework (and NOT needing my help), when they’re all asleep for the night, when we’re driving out of town, etc. I’d really love to say that I have a scheduled time to write every day, but at this point in life, with my kids being 9, 6, and 3 respectively, they’re still pretty dependent on mom.
I’m happy to report that the girls can now bathe and feed themselves, and my three year old son is very nearly potty trained, but much of my day revolves around their needs. I’m a mom first and foremost, and that will always trump the writing card.
I won’t lie to you and say that there are days when I wish I could just sit for hours while everyone leaves mom alone and lets me write. Occasionally—yesterday, for Mother’s Day, for instance—it does happen, but it’s rare. Like every mom, I get completely overwhelmed and at times, I feel like giving up on my writing dreams. If I did that, though, I know I’d be unhappy, and that unhappiness would carry over to my children. One of my primary goals as their mom is to encourage them to never give up and follow their dreams. What kind of example would I be if I didn’t do that myself?
I know the time is coming when all three of them are in school full-time, and I will have the benefit of those uninterrupted hours. Until then, I keep pecking out the words, carving out the time, discovering the places my imagination can take me.
Yes, it’s hard to be a mom and writer. Heck, it’s hard to be a mom and anything else. Is it worth it? Absolutely. I firmly believe that every mom should do their best to forge her own identity during those years when it’s hidden behind mounds of diapers and laundry. So keep at it, keep forging ahead with whatever inspires your creativity. You’ll probably still be known as [your child]’s mom to all their friends, but in your own little circle of whatever you’re involved in, you’ll be uniquely you.
What wonderful words of wisdom! I feel so inspired to take on the day now! Let’s learn about Mysti’s book! It is called A Ranger’s Tale. It was released in paperback in Dec 2010 and on Kindle in Jan 2011.
In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, the high elf, Caliphany Aranea, nearly a century old, has never been allowed to travel farther than a few miles out of the capital city of Leogard. Her father, Sirius, leads the Mage Academy, and after losing his only son, he expects Caliphany to take his place one day. The trouble is, she doesn’t want to study magic and doubts she’ll ever be as good a wizard as her father. She dreams of leaving Leogard to explore the world and strike out on her own–lofty goals for Sirius’ daughter, who also happens to be King Leopold’s niece.
When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap her while she dreams of faraway lands, half-elf ship captain and ranger, Galadin Trudeaux, comes to her rescue. From their first chance encounter, to the finale, where Caliphany must decide where her heart truly lies, she and Galadin will face more adventure, more love, more heartache, than they ever thought possible. Through it all, they discover the power of forgiveness and of a love that stands the test of time.
Sound kind of cool, I think! I will certainly find a spot for this book on my wish list!
Mysti Parker is a full-time wife, mom of three, and a writer. Born and raised in Kentucky, writing has always been her first love. After many years of pursuing other things, she began her writing career in earnest in 2009. Look for more romantic tales from her fantasy world of Tallenmere, where magic, passion, murder, and mayhem are a part of everyday life.
Mysti loves connecting with her readers and can be found at her blog or her Author page at Melange Books.
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of A Ranger’s Tale!
I’m excited to be here! Thanks for having me!
Mysti
HI Mysti!
I’m so happy to have you visiting today! Thanks for dropping by!
Sounds like an interesting book.
Sounds like a great escape book.
Thank you June and Sheena!