Tag: baby

My Writing Life During Maternity Leave
Writing Tips

My Writing Life During Maternity Leave

Shannon A Thompson13 Comments

I’m heading back to work this week. Between that and starting 2023, I’ve been reflecting a lot on how the last twelve weeks went since my daughter was born. 

It was tough.

That’s the easiest way to summarize all my emotions. Of course I knew going in that newborns require a lot of energy and attention from sleep-deprived parents, but I also heard a lot of good things about maternity leave. One coworker told me about all the television they caught up on during middle of the night feeds. I read another article where a mom talked about how the first baby is so easy and her husband and her just drank wine and passed the baby back and forth. Surely, I thought, I’d find a little time to write if others had been able to watch TV and drink wine. And I did. Kind of. A teensy bit. But again, it was HARD. 

I mostly wrote during middle of the night feeds, propping her up with one hand and using my other to type on my phone. That and a few naptimes. But mostly, even when I found the time, I was too tired to manage something worth keeping. After a few times writing gibberish, I decided to wave my white flag and only write when I was well-rested AND she was napping. In twelve weeks, that happened three times. The other time I was able to write was when my husband would take her to give me space. Even then, though, I really needed time to recover from my C-section and how draining breastfeeding can be.

All in all, I only wrote 8,000 words these past twelve weeks. From someone who usually writes that in two weeks or so, it’s really hard not to be disappointed in myself. I am doing my best to recognize that I’m going through a major life change and I need to be kinder to myself. But still. 

I fear not being able to finish my WIP in a timely manner. I fear that even if I do, it will be nonsensical due to exhaustion. But I know working writing moms who have done it before me, and I’m holding onto that energy as I surge forward with determination and perseverance. 

I will find a way, because I want to. I need to. 

Maybe it’ll happen even faster than I’m hoping. Maybe we’ll find more of a routine with me back at work and her going to daycare. Then again, maybe I should lower my expectations and just be.

All I can do is do the best I can. And as long as I do that, I’m sure I’ll look back on this time and be pretty proud of what I was able to accomplish… even if it’s just a few thousand words.

Every word leads to another scene. Every scene leads to a new chapter. Every chapter leads to a completed novel and, eventually, THE END. 

~SAT

Miscellaneous

2022: My Complete Year

Shannon A Thompson5 Comments

At the end of every year, I write a reflection post about where I’m at, not just in my writing life, but also in my personal life and how it all correlates. 

I’m calling 2022 My Complete Year because it coincides with how I called 2021 the Year of Unfinished Change. 

Last year, I got married. This year, we welcomed our baby girl. 

Last year, I lost my agent. This year, I got back in the trenches and connected with my new agent. 

So much of what happened last year fed into the success I had this year, they almost can’t be separated. But alas, I wanted to talk about 2022 and how I feel moving into 2023. 

If I go back to January, I started 2022 with one main goal: Connect with an agent. 

I had just finished finalizing my query package for my middle grade novel in verse, and I jumped right in. Shortly after, I found out I was pregnant, and I told myself I would love to be signed with a new agent before my baby was born. I knew it was a long shot, especially in this environment, but I signed with my agent, Marietta Zacker, in September the week before my baby was born. (Maybe I’ll write a blog post about that journey soon!) 

While querying, I also rewrote my historical fantasy and outlined four new ideas. I wrote 12,000 words across those projects. I also hit 80,000 words in my dark academia novel, and I’m currently 8,000 words in my next verse novel and 11,000 into a romcom.

We also adopted Valentine, our one-eyed pirate cat…and lost Boo Boo, our beautiful gentleman of a cat who lived 22 years. 

Life has been a whirlwind of joy, sorrow, celebration, family, and determination. 

In 2023, I hope my agent can find the perfect editor for my work, but I know that’s out of my control. All I can do is keep writing. First up, finish my first young adult verse novel. But until then, I’m giving thanks to 2022.

I’m very grateful for everything that happened this past year–from having my novels featured in simplyKC magazine to having my blog post featured on Jane Friedman’s website. I especially enjoyed teaching How to Write a Series at the Midwest Writers group, and I cannot wait to see what 2023 brings. A book deal? More hardships? Additional teaching opportunities? New friends? Loss? I have no clue. None of us do, really. 

I end 2022 knowing that I will be adjusting to being a mom who loves writing while working full time, but I believe in me. I have to. I want to.

I will make 2023 amazing. 

~SAT

Want to see what’s happened throughout my years of blogging?

My Favorite Books of 2022
Miscellaneous

My Favorite Books of 2022

Shannon A Thompson5 Comments

As per tradition, I am back to share my favorite reads of 2022. Before I jump into it, though, I wanted to mention a few caveats. 

My original website template retired. (RIP, Bueno. You served me well–and for ten years!) I’m now using Button 2. I might be changing it intermittently as I try to find a new normal, so while the look may change, the features should all still work. If you notice something wonky, please let me know. 

Other than that, I’m hoping I’m back on my regular blogging schedule again! Though my maternity leave doesn’t end until January, I really wanted to do my end-of-year posts. For my newcomers, I post writing and publishing tips every first and third Monday (with the occasional extra post in-between.)

Now without further ado:

My favorite books of 2022!

I must admit that this year’s list is organized very differently. Normally, I have a bunch of genre and age categories, but this year has got to be the smallest list yet. (Only 47 books! Usually, I clear 90+) Mostly because I was unbelievably busy with pregnancy and then my newborn, not to mention working full time and pursuing my writing career (but I’ll get more into that in my yearly end-of-the-year wrap-up post in two weeks). All that said, because of my smaller list, I decided to forego categories and just list my top reads. If you want to see a full list of everything I read this year, visit my Goodreads.  To add one last stipulation: these are books that I read in 2022, not necessarily books that released in 2022. I hope you find something to read. Feel free to share your favorites in the comments below! I always love suggestions. 

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland: YA Horror: This was my first five-star read of the year. It’s so atmospheric, and the writing is gorgeous. I loved how the main character didn’t quite know the truth about everything, but suspected something was up. It kept the mystery tense and the magic tenser. The ultimate reveal was horrifying as well, and the body horror throughout the book was done so well. Loved the sisters’ storyline.  

Crave by Tracy Wolff: YA Paranormal Romance: This is the first in a series that has been growing in popularity so quickly. When I saw a huge waitlist at the library I work at for book #4, I just couldn’t stop my curiosity, and I picked up book 1. As of today, I’ve only read book 1 and 2, but they were both really entertaining, especially if you grew up as a teen in the Twilight era. It uses a lot of the same tropes, but has more agency. Still a lot of the same romance tropes and boarding school tropes that were popular around the same time. It’s very campy in my opinion. If you aren’t a fan of the Twilight era books, this one isn’t for you.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling: Adult Paranormal Rom Com: TREEEEATS. I laughed so hard every time this was said in the book. (And I was reading it right after my cat died.) I needed a feel-good read, and The Ex Hex came through. I never knew I needed a Halloween Rom Com, but now I want a million more of these in my life. I’ve already put the sequel on hold. 

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan: YA Fantasy: I’d heard a lot of good things about this series, but never quite got around to picking it up. Then I put the audiobook on hold and could not stop driving around town just so I could keep listening to it. The story is so good, the twists so delicious, and the drama divine. I loved the ending, and I immediately put book 2 on hold. Read this if you love fairies and deception. 

The Final Gambit #3 by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: (YA Mystery): The ending of this trilogy was superb. If you love puzzles, the drama of rich families, and mysterious inheritances, then pick up The Inheritance Games and get to reading. I loved this book so much it was actually the first book I’ve ever finished in eBook format. (Which I’m totally going to blog about later.) 

Noodle and the No Bones Day by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator): Picture Book: I fell in love with Bones the pug as much as anyone else who followed the online sensation. I loved seeing it in picture book form, too.  

If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond: Picture Book: My dad got this for me for my baby shower, and I still haven’t been able to finish it without ugly crying. Definitely get this for the new parents in your life.

Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau: Middle Grade Graphic Novel: Probably the most precious read I’ve picked up in a longggg time. If this doesn’t warm your heart, I don’t know what will. The art is incredibly colorful and adorable, and the storyline is very touching. There’s also a pretty big plot twist I didn’t see coming. Absolutely recommended! 

These were my favorite reads of 2022, but I read lots of amazing stories. What were your favorites?

~SAT

Miscellaneous

Maternity Leave Update: Baby Girl is Here!

Shannon A Thompson13 Comments

I meant to write this last month, but alas, newborns require a lot of love (and attention). You may have already seen on my social medias, but…

Baby girl arrived in October!

Her name is Winsloe, and she is such delight. We are very excited to have her here, healthy and smiling. (She’s actually 5 weeks old already!) That said, I’m on maternity leave until January, which is probably when my regular blogging will begin again. I’ve been spending any free time I have working on my next novel for my agent (and I’m already 6,000 words in!). Super excited about that. I’ll also be updating this website’s template soon since its current template has been retired. But maybe, just maybe I’ll still do my end-of-year December posts. I’ll just have to find a middle-of-the-night baby feeding time that works. (Like I did with this very post!)

I hope everyone is well.

See you soon. < 3

Maternity Leave!
Miscellaneous

Maternity Leave!

Shannon A Thompson8 Comments

It’s time! My baby is due in a week, so I am logging out for the time being. I hope to be back on my regular blogging schedule in time for my yearly reflection posts in December. (Though I may pop in before then with a baby picture or two. Maybe even an announcement! *wink wink*)

Definitely connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I tend to pop up there sooner.

Wish me luck,

~SAT

P.S. My website template was recently retired, so there’s some features that are slowly disintegrating before my eyes. (*sobs internally*) Obviously, now is not the best time to update everything, but I will be doing an update before I get back on my regular blogging schedule. Please forgive weirdness in the meantime.