I wast thinking today about our group site, MamaWriters. 
Why do we do this?
Why are we here?
Thanks to Renee Knowles, Eliza Knight, Kris Kennedy, and Jeannie Ruesch – we have this online presence that’s AMAZING. *CHEER!*
We have a fascinating group of women, with all sorts of issues, challenges, all who write, all who parent, many of whom follow the fly lady just to keep up with the clutter of trying to write, work, keep house, and manage the mayhem!
On Wednesdays, we get to chat with women / authors — mamas like us — who are making their careers happen! We can glean a bit of knowledge from listening to their successes! That’s SO COOL. But, it’s more than that.
In this age of living far apart from family, of a society that moves so fast, of people who twitter and tweet — and comments that come in and out of our stream of consciousness almost faster than we can type – staying in touch with a group of like minded women is key.
So, why are we meeting like this? what do we talk about?
Sometimes, we talk about writing.
Other times, we promote our works. We lament the perils of parenthood. Still others, we laugh at ourselves and our inabilities to do EVERYTHING that is on our hearts to accomplish.
From an anthropologists’ perspective (as many of you know I am — head over to my site for more about me!) I digress. From an anthropologist’s POV – this is a fascinating glance at the heart of women. We want to be more. We want to be seen. Heard. Over the din of our children, around the carpools, and pick ups, and drop offs. At MamaWriters.com we can be ourselves. Cheering for each other is — in a way — like cheering for ourselves.
I’m curious how many of us have purchased the others’ books – whether we read them all the way through or not is irrelevant. It’s all about support. Friendship. The knowledge that someone out there understands that I got up out of bed and wrote from 1:15 AM to 2:45 to get 1,000 words in for the day like I did last night!
Don’t look at me like that.
I’m not crazy, I’m driven! I’m a mama writer and I don’t have time to waste while my munchkins are foraging for cheerios and trying to have dessert for breakfast! I’ve got a husband who actually WANTS me to listen to him. Expects me to say more than “uh-huh. Yeah. I get you.”
Hey, he supports me. It’s the least I can do.
So, props to you — mamawriters out there! Whether you’re a lurker, or a regular — you’re all a-ok in my book. Whatever genre, whatever style. I’m privledged to know you. It’s our differences that make us like a little family.
So, take a minute out of your hectic day.
Tell me something YOU’VE done for a MamaWriter today!!! and thanks for being you.




Great post Ashley! And why can’t I seem to accomplish everything I set my heart on??? Its a constant struggle! lol
I have only gotten up a few times to write in the middle of the night, I usually just work out scenes in my mind and then go with them the next day.
Don’t forget our amazing mamawriter Kris Kennedy who was also instrumental in getting us started
Fly Lady was an amazing find for me last week, and I’ve enjoyed the daily challenges she’s sent my way.
As for supporting mama writers? I buy the books and I usually read them, there are a few I haven’t gotten around to yet, but that’s only because my TBR pile is in the 50′s right now…
I had no idea you were an anthrolopgist. I took anthropology in college and loved it!
Thanks for all of your support!!!!! Big hugs and kudos to you!
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Eliza,
*shame on me!* I fixed it. Life is such a blur, I’ve forgotten all about exactly HOW we started. Which is WHY I thought this was so important today!
I did my 27 things on Saturday – and I’m still just trying to dress to my shoes.
DD#2 – pictured in this post – looks suspiciously glassy eyed this morning. Sick? Getting sick? Too much weekend? I’ve yet to determine. I’ve got 1 hour to decide whether to send her to pre-school. UGH.
Thanks to YOU! and I’m going to do my best to take your Medieval class in June!
Those of you who haven’t need to check out Eliza’s History Undressed Blog! — http://historyundressed.blogspot.com
~Ashley
Happens to us all Ash! I’m surprised half the time I’m still functioning
LOL! I LOVE pre-school! They learn so much there is is amazing. Plus it does give you a couple hours a week of free time.
My girls had a lot of activities this weekend too! Both were a little difficult to get up this morning
I love that pic above it is so cute, and I just thought it was a stock, photo, whoever took this is an amazing photographer!
I did manage to dress to my shoes today, AND my kitchen sink is shiny
Now if only I could get everything else shiny…
Thanks for toting my blog
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
I LOVE Eliza’s blog! She is a complete inspiration to me. 2 kids, pregnant with another, a published writer, and she’s writing these awesome, informative, entertaining blogs. And I’m trying to get my bathroom clean.
LOL! Thanks Kris! You’re not alone, I’m trying to get my bathroom clean too
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Clean the sinks!
Just clean the sinks!
LOL.
~Ash
I just cleaned my sink! Yeah! Now to tackle one load from “Mount Laundry”.
Tiffany :0)
Why do we do it? As you know, I’ve taken 80 hours of anthropology and sit in introspection hoping for an answer to the greatest mystery of all… The purpose of life, i.e. writing for us writers. It all boils down to I can’t stop. Let’s mention starving artist here. I couldn’t buy much with what I make. No laughing please. But for some reason, I just can’t stop writing. For me, it’s a challenge to create new worlds that unfold so realistically for the reader that the reader feels a part of the story. And if someone is excited enough about the information in my works, I love that they wanted to go and investigate the mythology I used. My 3 year old’s eyes get really big and she says “That’s amazing!” when I tell her the book I’m holding was written by me. If anything, I hope I can inspire her to do what she’s driven to do. Okay, within the limits of the law. LOL
Great post, Ashley. You got me thinking again…
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Skhye, as ever – you astound me with your ability to weave worlds.
Support of fellow authors, and online community – - that’s what gets this armchair anthropologist to thinking.
Forgive me, everyone, while I’m busy observing you all in your natural habitat.
Who knows. Maybe I’ll publish a paper about YOU.
~Ash
Sure, write about the whacko who should be on her elliptical or making her child read a book but can’t stop writing…
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
LOL!
Hope you had a WONDERFUL mother’s day, my friend.
I’m planning to torture myself with a jog around the block. Hopefully today it won’t be chasing down a non-listening, crazed on leftover easter candy DD#2!
~Ash
Hi, Ashley!
I do what I can to support my friends. On Saturday, it meant heading down to a book signing an hour away. I purchased a bunch of books that I plan on using as give aways later…mostly because I’ve already read them or own them myself. I have a bunch of MamaWriters in my TBR pile and more on my TBB (to be bought) list. It’s never ending. And, as always, I’m willing to donate my blog to help promo fellow MamaWriters.
Hope everyone had a great Designated Mother’s Day!
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Emma, you support your fellow authors in more ways than that!
Your interviews with fellow authors are thoughtful and thought provoking.
We’re so glad to have you with us!
~Ashley
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Ashley~
What an awesome post! I agree–we live in this world with so many *apparent* way of connecting, but in relaity, often they are ways ot disengage from the world & the relationships directly around us.
And yet, then there’s somethign like MamaWriters, which is an online set of relatinships, and it definitely feeds something. Feels like real connections.
I buy every MW book, although I know I’ve missed a few, if I missed the release information. I’d better get back and check our bios, so I can make sure I’m up to date!
And you’re right–I haven’t even read them yet–the TBR pile is so huge, and there’s not much time to diminish it–but for $8 (or thereabouts) it’s a small price to pay to say “Yea! You GO, girl!” to another MW.
Great post.
Kris
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Whether or not we buy, use the books from the group in a gift basket or give away– I find the emotional support is overwhelming.
Remember to save your receipts, ladies! there are tax refunds possible here. WHAT? Get $ back for buying books! I love my life!
Thanks, Kris! FYI – Your release, The Conqueror is on the way… excellent cover!
tee hee.
~Ashley
Twitter: silverwriter
says:
Ashley, as always, you find a thought-provoking (and provocative) way to look at things. I am always amazed by how supportive women writers (especially romance authors) are. In the real world, I don’t see the support and sheer willingness to help and give a hand up found in the community of women writers. Thank you to all of you! To the ones who have made it big and to the ones who are still trying to get that first book sold (or written). Thank you to mama writers everywhere who manage to find and fulfill all their dreams.
I try to support with words of encouragement, virtual hugs, comments, word of mouth PR for books, and I buy when I can. FYI, anyone who’d like to guest blog when they have a release, just ask. My corner of the world isn’t huge, but it’s there.
FYI, I love the pic of your DD. A nice bit of photography there. And if you write that paper? I want to read it!
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Silver,
Thanks! I love this picture.
We spent two weekends ago at the beach. My older daughter and her daddy went seeking rocks and shells at sunset, while DD#2 didn’t want to leave the water’s edge. So I took pictures of her while she cavorted on the sand, wiggled her toes, and enjoyed the setting sun and salty air on her face.
I hope you had a lovely mother’s day. Ours is a little different than the average mother’s day- we’re 500 miles from my family, and my hubby is still grieving his mom, even though he doesn’t talk about it much. I miss her, too. She’s the voice in my head. I know she leaves pennies from heaven for my girls… SO, we shopped together. Bought a new mattress (hooray!!) and spent the afternoon in the garden, working, pruning, cleaning up — And then, enjoyed the fruits of our labor with margaritas and minty-lemonade for the girls — some Jack Johnson on the radio. It was PERFECT. For us.
Hope you had a lovely one! and thanks for sharing.
~Ash
Twitter: silverwriter
says:
Both of our moms are gone, as are our dads. It’s the dads who leave the pennies for us.
My DD was with the fiance’s family so it was just the DH and I. I spent the day signing off on he last “edit” on FAERIE FATE (it’s going to the copy reader! YAY!) and sending off the first three chapters requested on another book. *crosses fingers*
I went to Papa Murphy’s, got a bring-home-to-bake fresh-made pizza, popped it in the oven and watched baseball with the DH. It was a wonderfully lazy but productive day.
Sounds like yours was perfect, too!
Hi Ashley!
WOW! Now that is driven, getting up at 1am. I know I’m having to tinker with my schedule so I can get more writing time. As a mom and a prepublished writer, there are never enough hours in the day. *sigh* lol
By interviewing published authors and asking for tips on writing, I’d like to think that my blog is helping other new writers like myself. In exchange for ‘paying it forward’, I always make sure to give the authors free promo. I do this because I like the thought of all of us being connected- published or not- we all want the same thing…to succeed.
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Well said, Sara! and, we know, that your site is really fun and informative for all writers!
The important thing to remember is to be encouraged. We were all prepublished at one point – and many of us are researching ways on publishing with larger houses, or entering contests, and honing our skills as we can!
Did I mention I’m enrolling in Eliza’s Medieval class in June? See – it’s a wealth of information that’s here for the taking! supporting and cheering each other on is key. And I KNOW that we will be hooting and hollering for you when your first contract reaches your in-box.
~Ashley
Hi Ashley — support is so important among writers. Like the rest of you, I buy books by authors I’ve met at conferences and online, and I try to read them all. I invite authors to my blog to promote their releases. And nothing pleases me more than an email from a fellow author telling me she enjoyed one of my stories. We’re all in this together!
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Hear, Hear, Helen!
And I do love your work. Frankly, I enjoy lurking around your site (Helen’s Heroes) – Just to see the hunky men and get ideas for casting my latest hero!
It’s exciting to know that we’re all in this together. I guess to go back on the Anthropologist’s angle again (I keep doing this, but old habits die hard!) — online community is equally important as physically going to a critique group or having coffee with girlfriends.
Okay. That might not be exactly true. If I could have coffee with any one or all of you, I would.
Do chat’s count as live interaction? Are we missing anything by having to give virtual hugs and/or high fives?
I noticed you’ve done NaNoWriMo.org two years running. I did 2007. Nearly killed me. Still revising that project, as I believe it has heart! Are you going to do it again this year?
~Ash
Oh yeah, I’m a huge NaNo proponent! I’m definitely in for 2009! You should try it again. It’s such a motivator to watch everyone’s wordcount increase daily on the NaNo sight
.
Hello — I mean NaNo “site.” Fingers go faster than my brain sometimes, LOL.
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
I remember being slightly let down at the “prize” — and yet, here it hangs, on my wall. Testament to A MONTH of furious typing.
Have you used anything you’ve written from the contest? I’m rereading mine for the first time. I swear. I submitted my 51,254 words – printed out my certificate, and never looked at the thing again for over a YEAR! Exhaustion. LOL.
I tell you what. I’ll do it if you do. We can challenge each other! What do you say?
Ashley,
Great post! I love writing…I’ve thought about quitting a couple times but couldn’t. It’s a passion for me! A passion that’s fueled by the amazing friendships that have come out my writing groups. I try to send an encouraging email to one of those people each day, and I try to attend as many events involving my writing friends as I can. It’s like Sister Sledge says, “We are family…”
Tiffany :0)
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Encouraging notes keep us all going…
Something we do on the Yahoo loop is to encourage each other with the weekly goals. I’ve gotten away from this, but intend to start again.
Recently, I’ve started writing 1,000 words a day — some days are 500, honestly — others (when the muse is good) are 1750 to 2000! Hopefully, this project will be complete by the end of August.
It helps to have someone to keep you honest! a sister who’s got your back!
Thanks, guys — for sticking together!
~Ash
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
Ashley, I love this post. (Big shocker, I think we all do.)
As for why we do what we do, I believe it’s to get that same feeling, that same joy and burst of energy that my three year old gets when he finishes something and announces to the world, “We DID IT!”
(And yes, that means he did it, Mama and Papa did it, or Boo –what we call him–and Mickey Mouse did it, he’s not quite clear on pronouns yet.)
But whatever it is, whatever he’s so proud of, it’s because HE is a part of it. He’s either watching and rooting for Mama and Papa to finish dishes so we can all sit together, or he’s excited to help Papa mow the lawns. His excitement is contagious, and now when we finish things with him, Hubby and I tend to also yell out, “We did it!” Because it’s just fun.
And I think that’s why we do this — we join not just to promote ourselves, but to be a part of something bigger. Something exciting to watch, something we connect to and understand. As my fellow MamaWriters watch their careers and their goals soar, we get to be a part of that, by cheering for them and sharing in their excitement.
It’s a pretty amazing energy to be around. So ladies, Happy Mama’s Day (belated) and WE DID IT!!!
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Jeannie – WE ALL are doing it! woo hoo!
Something About Her is a beautiful, fun, vivid read. I am really enjoying how your writing is even more lovely than your graphic design!
You are endlessly supportive of others – as can be seen with this beautiful site. Three Cheers for Jeannie!!!
I also enjoy our Twitter Chats – for those of you who don’t know, Jeannie is @JeannieRuesch and I’m @wiremamma
Tweet with us.
Because LORD knows we don’t have enough to distract us! *snort*
~Ash
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
I just tweeted!!! We need a hashtag for MamaWriters, don’t you think? how about #MW just to keep it simple and short?
And thank you…and now, of course, on my nitfy new KINDLE (I got a Kindle, I got a Kindle…back to being annoyingly singsongy, I can’t help it) …. my TBR pile has increased tremendously with all the fab e-books out there for my greedy little fingers.
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Okay – who wants to fling e-books at Jeannie!?!?! I’ve got one for you!
Why am I suddenly wanting to shower you with e-books like a little baby shower for your new bundle of hardware joy?!?
~Ash #MW
I do get up at some weird hours, but not quite that…um…early…hee hee…
Great post, Ash. And I hope you had a good Mama’s Day
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Thanks, Miss Mae. Was I up early? Or did I stay up late? Can’t tell.
I decided it was better to get out of bed rather than thrash around and wake up hubby & DD#2 — who seems to have forgotten that she HAS a bed and a bedroom of her very own. SHE is the middle of the H that we form in our room at night… *sigh*
Will this mama ever sleep alone in her room at night? Or is she destined to lurk the halls with her laptop, looking for a power outlet in reach of a comfy chair?!
Tune in to find out!
Any one who hasn’t read Said the Spider to the Fly – CHECK IT OUT! Miss Mae has a wonderful way with words, and Mona Murphy’s a real treat!
~Ashley
Great post Ashley! It is wonderful how writers stick together and support each other.
God bless you all!
PamT
PS: I’d love to be a guest sometime – you know how to find me LOL!
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Pamela! what a lovely thought. We’ll get it coordinated for later this summer.
Our Wednesday author interviews have been very interesting and informative. Your experience would certainly be of benefit to all!
Thanks for coming by! Don’t be a stranger!
~Ashley
Great post, Ashley! You are always so encouraging.
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Thanks, Dona!
Glad to see you here!
~Ash