And we’re back! It’s time for the next installment of our “Author Insights” series. In this series, I’m introducing you to writers who’ve taken their writing all the way to the finish line of publication, and they share their “lessons learned” with you. There’s nothing quite like learning from a writer who has made to the other side.
Plus, if you leave a comment at the end of the post before Tuesday, February 21 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time, you’ll be entered to win an autographed copy of the author’s book in a random drawing. (IMPORTANT: You must be located in the United States to win.)
Meet Terri Fedonczak, author of The Field Guide to Plugged-In Parenting… Even If You Were Raised by Wolves
Let me introduce you to Terri Fedonczak. Terri became a member of my Called to Write Coaching Circle in 2012 in order to finish the parenting book she’d been dreaming about for years… and finished her first draft working in 15 minute increments in her first session with us. She went on to work with an editor and complete rewrites and revisions of the book while in the Circle, and now continues her work in Florida supporting teen girls and their parents.
I asked Terri to share her insights about writing her book with us.
Terri Fedonczak on How Writing a Book Is Like Raising a Child
In January of 2014, the culmination of 15 years of thinking about writing a book, one year of putting words on a contiguous collection of pages, and 13 months of rewrites (accomplished in the Circle) came to fruition with the publication of my book-baby, Field Guide to Plugged-In Parenting…Even If You Were Raised By Wolves. And you thought elephants had a long gestation period!
Writing my book was just as painful and rewarding as having and raising my children, but the comparisons don’t stop there:
Four Ways That Writing a Book Is Like Raising a Child
- It takes so friggin’ long to see progress: During the long years of changing diapers, jotting ideas on sticky notes, and leaving the house with dried cereal in my hair, I wondered if all the effort would ever amount to anything. The answer is “Yes!” But it’s not transactional, like buying a latte, unless your local coffee shop makes you grow the beans and grind them by hand before making your drink. Birthing something out of thin air takes time, and a long view. It’s sometimes two steps forward and three steps back, and that’s okay. Remember, you are the creator, not the timekeeper.
- It takes faith: When it doesn’t seem like the structure of the story will ever come together (I wrote a self-help/memoir—how hard can the story BE to define?), it takes faith to keep showing up to the page, or the breakfast table. Kids and manuscripts are ALWAYS there, just waiting to challenge your self-esteem and planning ability. Take three deep breaths, and then take the next step. When it comes to writing that next chapter or potty training, don’t worry about the outcome, just take the next step. Believe me, it’s worth all the effort, and they really won’t go to college in diapers!
- It takes self-care: When you’re facing a marathon of effort, you can’t wait to find time to take care of yourself. No one will do it for you, so you might as well face facts: parenting and writing take a clear mind. You cannot clear your mind without a little quiet time (meditation is my favorite), something green to eat (no, M&M’s don’t count), and some consistent sweat time, preferably outside. The more you can find moments of quiet, the easier it is to hear the small voice inside your heart that tells you, “This moment, right here, is the good stuff.” That sense of gratitude is the best creative fuel ever!
- The worst moments make the best stories: The time my toddler painted her walls with a dirty diaper wasn’t fun, but it made a great story. Having breast cancer wasn’t a carnival, but it changed the way I looked at my priorities. Cancer was the best thing that ever happened to my life, but in the moment, it sucked, big time. Look at whatever trial you are currently experiencing and imagine telling it as a story, surrounded by your favorite people. It makes things easier to handle, and it challenges you to find the humor in the worst of times. I had a Bon Voyage Party for my breast called “Tah-Tah to the Tata”—best party ever!
Anything worth doing is going to take effort, creativity and faith. You COULD put off writing that book for a few years, because you don’t have time, the right computer or the most ideal software. But you will only be a few years down the road without anything to show for your perfection based avoidance. Or you could join the Circle, Apply Butt to Chair for 15 minutes a day, 4 to 5 times per week, and crank out a good story. That’s what I did, and I’m still grateful!
About The Field Guide to Plugged-In Parenting… Even If You Were Raised by Wolves
The Washington Post endorsed The Field Guide to Plugged-In Parenting… Even If You Were Raised by Wolves in their Parenting Book Round Up, and Jill Farmer, author of There’s Not Enough Time…and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, says, “This book helps us acknowledge and heal from wounds in our childhood, then it beautifully guides us to parent in a much healthier way. Terri Fedonczak doesn’t shy away from the tough topics, but she manages to keep the tone light and enlightening at the same time. It’s a must-read for any parent!
The Field Guide to Plugged-In Parenting… Even If You Were Raised by Wolves is available on:
- Amazon (affiliate link)
- Barnes and Noble
About Terri
Terri Fedonczak wants to live in a world where girls recognize their own power and choose to use it for good. On a trip to South Africa, Terri had a lightning bolt of realization that her mission is to bring the power of the lioness’ pride to girls and their parents. Terri was a commercial real estate agent for 16 years until a bout with breast cancer transformed her life in 2010. She realized that trading money and status for time with her four girls and patient husband was not quite the deal she thought it once was. She left sales to become a certified life coach and embark upon a journey of spreading the message of girl power far and wide.
You can discover your own inner lioness and feel the power of the pride at www.girlpowerforgood.com.
Read other guest posts by Terri here and here.
Enter to Win a Copy of The Field Guide to Plugged-In Parenting… Even If You Were Raised by Wolves!
Terri has generously agreed to give away 3 autographed copies of her book to my readers. Leave a comment on the blog about one of your own writing lessons or something you learned from Terri’s insights before Tuesday, February 21st at 5 p.m. Pacific Time and you’ll be entered in the random drawing. You must be located in the United States to win.
What an encouraging piece for me! I see myself in many of these words. I’ve kept my desire to write my story hidden inside for so many years, shared only with a few close friends. Writing is one of just a few giftings I KNOW were sewn into my soul by my Creator. My book is hindered by my own lack of confidence and reluctance to share it with the world. Reading this felt like a gentle prod to begin making steps toward fulfilling a portion of my purpose with my writing. Thank you for sharing!
Beth, I’m so glad this is encouraging to you! Please do share your writing. Your readers are waiting to hear from you. :)
Beth, I would be happy to talk with you about the writing process, but Jenna’s Called to Write Circle is a wonderful support system to get words on paper :)
XO
Terri
Thank you mama T for the inspiration. I have had a childrens book handwritten for three years now. You have inspired me to get back to finishing. The illustrations need to be completed.
It’s so great that Terri has inspired you to finish your children’s book, Jodi! Are you illustrating it yourself? I’ve always dreamed of doing a children’s book myself. :)
Yay, Jodi! I’m so happy my words brought forth yours :) XO Terri
Love this comparison, Terri! I’m looking forward to reading your book.
I thought you would appreciate the comparison, Rebecca. :)
Thanks so much, Rebecca! I hope my book makes you think and giggle…not necessarily in that order :) XO Terri
Way to go, Terri! I’m on my 8th draft of my novel and I hope it’s the last. Quite the learning experience. But I’m glad you reached the finish line and hope the book does really well.
Fredrica
Fredrica, 8th draft, terrific! It is a huge learning experience, isn’t it? :)
Fredrica, keep on truckin’, friend! It will be worth it when you hold your book baby in your hands :) XO Terri
Hello Terri. Congratulations on the impact your book is having on our world. I will never forget your staunch and unflinching support as coach of our writing circle. You are a model of perseverance that I valued as I myself am a mother of four. I was able to write my 5th draft of my teaching manual as a member of the group, starting with 15 minutes per day. Unbelievable! Jenna, thanks again for creating such wise support for writers.
Aw, Kathy, thank you! Terri is an amazing coach, isn’t she?
I loved being your coach, Kathy! I’m so happy that you have continued with your writing:) XO Terri
Thanks, Terri! Your article was inspiring. I can so relate to the comparison of writing a book to raising a child. I especially appreciate the comment “you are the creator, not the timekeeper.” My novel revision process has been longer than I’d hoped, but it is happening. I look forward to reading your book! Mimi
Mimi, I really loved that comment from Terri too (hence the bold text!). Novel revisions always do seem to take longer than we intend. I’m exciting it’s happening for you, step by step. :)
I used to chant that to myself whenever I began to chastise my creative timeframe as “taking too long”, Mimi. I’m happy it resonated with you :)
XO
Terri
Thank-you for reminding us all that both writing and raising children takes faith. Sometimes it’s hard to keep doing the same thing, hoping to see improvement – improvement in my writing, and improvement in my children’s behavior! :-) But having faith that the ultimate result is going to be worth it–that the book will come together, that the kids will play together beautifully and with joy and friendship–keeps me going. And those days when the chapter gets written and the children are delightful and kind to one another justify all of that hard work and faith!
Liz, well said. Terri is right on with faith being required for parenting and writing. It’s such a good reminder, especially for those of us doing both!
Liz, I’m so happy that the piece resonated with you! As my kids are now 25, 23 and 17, it really is all worth it! I can now see all those lessons come to life; it’s better than chocolate:)
XO
Terri
And the winners are… #1, 3, and 7 generated with my random number generator. This means that Beth, Rebecca, and Liz are our lucky autographed book recipients. We’ll be in touch to collect your mailing addresses and then Terri will be sending your books your way. Congratulations!
I hope everyone has received their books; they were sent out on wings of love last week :) XOXO
Thank you so much, Terri, for the books and the wonderfully inspirational post! You are an angel.
It’s my pleasure, Jenna! You’re pretty angelic yourself :)