I recently wrote a blog post about how being a mom has made me a better writer. That got me thinking about famous writers who are moms–and how infrequently we celebrate their accomplishments! Instead of seeing motherhood as a detriment, let’s focus on the positive effects it has on writing. After all, who better to write books about sibling relationships, marriages, and parent-child relationships than the women who make those relationships flourish? These awesome mom writers are an inspiration to women everywhere!
Zibby Owens
Zibby Owens is the ultimate success story when it comes to stay at home mom entrepreneurs. She’s the author of the children’s book Princess Charming and the memoir Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature, and she’s one of the biggest influencers in the world of books today. In 2018, she started her award-winning podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, and began interviewing contemporary authors. The podcast skyrocketed in popularity and now releases a new episode 365 days a year. As the founder and CEO of Zibby Media, Zibby expanded her company to include the publishing house Zibby Books, the magazine Zibby Mag, and more. She even owns an indie bookstore, Zibby’s Bookshop, which will be opening in February 2023. My kids love Princess Charming, and I listen to Zibby’s podcast all the time. Zibby does it ALL–and she’s raising four kids at the same time! Talk about stay at home mom motivation!
Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth is a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a co-founder of the nonprofit Character Lab. She is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. I read Grit back in 2016, and it made a huge impression on me; I have referred back to it several times in the course of raising my kids. In Grit, Duckworth explores the factors that contribute to success. She concludes that high-achieving people in many different fields–academics, sports, the business world, and more–have one thing in common, and it’s not talent! It’s grit. Duckworth defines grit as hard work and perseverance focused on a single, personally meaningful long-term goal. Duckworth’s research shows that you don’t have to be BORN gritty–grit can be cultivated through certain life experiences. A whole section of her book explores ways that parents, coaches, and teachers can help children develop grit. Duckworth shares advice from the dozens of people she’s interviewed as well as her personal experiences as a teacher and as a mom of two. I like when she describes her efforts to make sure her own kids wouldn’t give up easily, because her stories are a) relatable and b) filled with realistic, practical tips all moms can use.
Katherine Paterson
Katherine Paterson is the author of eighteen novels for children as well as more than twenty other books. Two of her novels won the National Book Award and two others won the Newbery Medal (Bridge to Terabithia, my number one favorite book from childhood, was one of her Newbery winners!). Paterson always loved to read and write but didn’t consider a career as a writer until later in life. She was a mom of FOUR when she decided to write fiction. She managed to squeeze writing in among her many stay at home mom duties and took a night class in writing that led her to publish her first novel. I devoured Paterson’s novels as a kid, and Bridge to Terabithia still brings me to tears! Paterson wrote Bridge to Terabithia after watching her eight-year-old son grieve the death of a friend who had been struck by lightning. Death is a heavy topic for a children’s book, but Paterson handles it beautifully, crafting memorable characters and showing a deep understanding of childhood emotions. Many of Paterson’s novels tackle tough issues like child abandonment, foster care (Paterson spent some time as a foster mother herself), and dysfunctional sibling relationships, but she makes these issues accessible for young readers.
If you’re wondering how to find inspiration as a writer and a mom, you’re in good company. Especially if you want to be an indie author and publish a book yourself like I did, it can be an uphill battle. But moms have more endurance than ANYBODY, so don’t give up! You may end up on the list of famous mom writers too!