Introduction

If you're anything like me you came to the writing game a little "late" in life.  Some people decide as kids that they will grow up to be writers.  You.... well, you picked up a copy of Twilight at the grocery store and decided that if Stephenie Meyer - stay at home mom (SAHM in all future references) and first time novelist - could reach instant fame, you could too.

*snort*

Flash forward a few years.  You've done the research; you've read how impossible it is to become a published author.  You laugh at your former naivete and are strongly tempted to ascribe the writing bug to some sort of temporary madness (much like that tattoo incident a few years back).  But the writing bug is just that - a bug.  A virus.  An infection that is awfully difficult to shake.  And though you've come to realize that Stephenie Meyer-esque fame is unattainable, inside you still harbor hopes that someday you may see your little book smiling back at you from a Barnes and Noble bookshelf.  THAT my friends, is what is going to get your novel published.  Pure, unadulterated DETERMINATION.  And a little bit of narcissism.  But mostly determination.

But what about parenting?  How do you find time to write when you have a baby who still wakes up for nighttime feedings or a high schooler (or two) who really aught to just hire a professional chauffeur to drive them to soccer/choir/handball/jujitsu practice?  Um.... I don't know.    
*crickets chirp*
It's true!  I don't know any more than you do at this point.  But I plan to learn.  And that's why I started this blog.  I'm trying to figure out the parent-writer process too and I hope you'll join me on my journey as I write attempt to write my first novel and learn some ways to find balance as a parent and a writer.  However, feel free to impart your hard-earned knowledge to me if you've already learned some tips and tricks.  

First discussion topic:  When is your most productive writing time?  Is it when your kids are all finally in bed or is it before they wake up in the morning?  Maybe you prefer to write while they're in school?