tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post367578206717526307..comments2024-03-15T09:26:02.796-05:00Comments on PROJECT MAYHEM: 4 Tools for the Writing Parent by Joanna RoddyProject Mayhemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342399869089664noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-23175204997578284592014-07-31T12:38:44.621-05:002014-07-31T12:38:44.621-05:00Still dreaming about writing retreats over here. :...Still dreaming about writing retreats over here. :) I think your advice to be flexible is spot on. I only frustrate myself when I try and have a rigid writing schedule that lets me see family life as one big interruption. Learning to go with the flow has been hugely helpful for me.Marissa Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079821721448782710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-61621178648370393922014-07-28T16:32:06.545-05:002014-07-28T16:32:06.545-05:00I'm not a parent or even married, but I still ...I'm not a parent or even married, but I still struggle with keeping the peace with my family. <br /><br />Now that I've become obsessed with doing videos that often takes time away from doing day to day things that can drive the relatives I live with nuts. <br /><br />This is especially hard because I don't have a strong OFFLINE support network, it's hard to talk about my writing without sounding either overly defensive or flippant on my part. <br /><br />It's not that there not supportive they just don't "get it" and because I'm not at the "earning income" stage yet, it's hard to not feel like a bum even though you are working REALLY HARD! (Sigh...)<br /><br />Joanna, I have nothing but respect for the parents I know who face countless challenges, and I REALLY hope I don't sound mean when I say this, but excluding the "Project Mayhem" community, I do wish more parents/writers (OUTSIDE those in my circle who don't treat me like their wayward son) would TRY to understand that more.<br /><br />We're not proud of our lack of progression. <br /><br />We don't want to be a burden. <br /><br />I just ask them to remember this, if we didn't have a home to come back to if we couldn't graduate high school, or college if we got that far, or simply could find work even after YEARS of schooling/training, we'd be on the street. <br /><br />Don't let the horror stories you hear on the news tell the whole story. <br /><br />They don't represent everyone by any means!<br />(Sorry if I sound mad folks, I'm not, this is simply still an emotional sore spot for me)Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-72903854908750640472014-07-28T14:51:48.304-05:002014-07-28T14:51:48.304-05:00Thanks Kristen!Thanks Kristen!Joanna Roddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15872747084305014996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-63267332186253345672014-07-28T14:12:49.966-05:002014-07-28T14:12:49.966-05:00Wonderful, Joanna! Thank you for the encouragement...Wonderful, Joanna! Thank you for the encouragement once again!Kristen Goughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09090087682774261290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-77147087297310532012014-07-28T12:23:31.997-05:002014-07-28T12:23:31.997-05:00Joy and Michael, do it! So rewarding. Joy, have yo...Joy and Michael, do it! So rewarding. Joy, have you ever thought of applying for Hedgebrook? It's a writing retreat center for women on Whidbey Island that offers free residencies. I think I'm going to apply this year. If you ever want the contact information for the cabin I used last fall, let me know!Joanna Roddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15872747084305014996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-49078886117584879992014-07-28T12:20:52.997-05:002014-07-28T12:20:52.997-05:00I didn't know about your software engineering ...I didn't know about your software engineering background, Anna! I have profound respect for the homeschooling moms out there (we have at least two that I know of among the bloggers here), and I can only imagine that carving space for creative life when the kids are little lends itself to finding that space even as you continue to make parenting and teaching your full-time job. Keep me posted on how your journey progresses!Joanna Roddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15872747084305014996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-19819163139025583132014-07-28T12:05:01.640-05:002014-07-28T12:05:01.640-05:00Hi Joanna! I admire how you have wrestled with th...Hi Joanna! I admire how you have wrestled with this and found ways to balance your creative work and family rather than giving up. That is not easy! I have put my career (software engineering) on hold for now to focus on family. Like writing, it's creative and requires uninterrupted thought processes. Even without engineering in the mix right now though, I really resonate with what you're saying because there are so many other interests and goals I have that put me in the same dilemma with the kids unless I find unique ways to fit them in without creating a competition between the kids' interests and my other pursuits. Anyway, your insights and ideas are inspiring!Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08043785286808761870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-34100159630047751402014-07-28T10:46:19.666-05:002014-07-28T10:46:19.666-05:00Absolutely brilliant! I took a retreat earlier thi...Absolutely brilliant! I took a retreat earlier this year and, like you, got more accomplished than I had ever done. I must make this a regular practice!!Michael G-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947421844294471304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-19630061364024106032014-07-28T10:20:59.267-05:002014-07-28T10:20:59.267-05:00This is great, Joanna. I regularly do all but the ...This is great, Joanna. I regularly do all but the retreating, but in May I had my first weekend away from my kids since becoming a parent - it wasn't for writing, but to be in a wedding. But since the house did not fall down around them (and in fact I think they had a great time without me), it inspired me to try to make it a once a year thing - next time it will be for writing! Joy McCullough-Carranzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499534418217657768noreply@blogger.com