The Quill and Crayon proudly presents Jane Yolen as our first Author Interview on how to balance motherhood, family life, and a writing career. Once a month, I will hopefully be able to post the thoughts and comments on this subject from a published writer/mother of children’s literature, and what a way to start off this series than with “America’s Hans Christian Andersen,” award-winning author and poet Jane Yolen.
Jane has published not only children’s books, but also fantasy and science fiction. She is also a teacher and reviewer of children’s literature. Some of her most famous books include OWL MOON (which my three-year-old son loves), DEVIL’S ARITHMETIC, and HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOODNIGHT? (also a favorite in our house). Please check out her website at www.janeyolen.com.
HOW DID YOU JUGGLE WRITING AND RAISING A FAMILY?
Since I was already a published writer when I became a mom, the kids assumed all moms were writers. And I had a terrifically supportive husband with a flex time job. (He was a professor at the University of Mass.) Besides, I was a stay-at-home mom, and I worked at naptimes, and at least with the first, had her in a playpen right by my writing desk. She literally would fall asleep to the sound of the typewriter keys. But I was always right there for her. What DIDN'T get done was housework!
DID YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT?
Nope--it seemed natural.
OR DID ONE ROLE INSPIRE THE OTHER?
Sometimes inspired, sometimes hindered. It would have depended on which day you asked.
DID YOU EVER FEEL FRAZZLED BEYOND BELIEF FROM BEING PULLED IN TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS?
Not until I had two in diapers and my husband came home with a new puppy! He found me that dinnertime sitting on the floor, weeping, and saying to him, "If one more thing s---s in this house, I'm gone!" (Of course, there were no blank spaces in the word at the time!) He immediately made training the dog his problem, and I was fine.
Next time I was that frazzled was when we had three teenagers. And my husband and I occasionally clung to one another like sailors going down with the ship.
WHAT ARE SOME PRACTICAL TIPS THAT YOU CAN SUGGEST TO HELP A WRITER WHO HAS YOUNG CHILDREN?
Make sure you have a place and space that is yours and that kids and partner cannot come in without permission. NOT the kitchen table, because your work has to be tidied away one to three times a day. Even if it's just a closet, you MUST have a place for your own writing.
WHAT DID YOUR WRITING SCHEDULE/ WORK DAY LOOK LIKE DURING A TYPICAL DAY OR WEEK WHEN YOUR CHILDREN WERE YOUNG?
Up before they did--and getting in an hour or two of work. Then feed and change them, get them dressed. (Husband usually helped.) Played with them, worked around the house with them trailing behind. Naptimes--with oldest that was a four hour period, next a two hour period. The third never napped at all.) I loved it when they went off to school. But my husband often came home at noon, bundled the kids into the car, and took them for an adventure. Or when they were older, would take them off all day Saturday.
HOW DID YOU MENTALLY FOCUS ON YOUR STORIES WHILE TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY? DID YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SWITCH YOUR MINDSET FROM YOUR FAMILY'S NEEDS TO YOUR CHARACTERS, SETTING, OR PLOT?
Nope--I would read my story or book aloud, and was right back into it.
ANY OTHER ADVICE/ TIPS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO LEAVE FELLOW CHILDREN'S WRITERS/MOTHERS WITH?
It's harder sometimes to train your family than to do the actual writing. But make sure they understand that writing is important to you. It is your "work." That you are a better mom when you have time to do your own thing. Share your writing with them. Listen to their stories, too. Put the children in your books.
