S2EP3 - Parenting and Writing: Practicalities and Possibilities with KJ Dell'Antonia
“The thing that has not changed for me is the need to protect the time that I need to achieve my creative goals. But the biggest barrier is [that] there's always more to do in that busy household. So you have to make a concerted effort to set aside that time.”
~ KJ Dell’Antonia
In this episode, Kaitlin is joined by KJ Dell’Antonia, the New York Times best-selling author of The Chicken Sisters, In Her Boots, How to Be a Happier Parent, and the forthcoming Playing the Witch Card in a compelling conversation about the intersection of caregiving, creative practice, and capitalism production, and the impressive journey KJ has taken in navigating those roles.
A former editor of the New York Times' Motherload blog, and cohost of The #AmWriting podcast, KJ lives in Lyme, New Hampshire, with her husband and four children, and she has to go outside every day or else she and her dogs will go slightly insane.
KJ and Kaitlin talked about:
How KJ navigates the practicalities of juggling caregiving and creative practice and how she writes about parenting without disrespecting her children's private lives.
The challenges of parenting while pursuing creative goals and how to find a balance between the two.
KJ's methodical approach to creativity and the importance of setting achievable goals.
How to identify your own unique creative process and stay productive and happy with the work you do.
The importance of finding dedicated thinking and working time for creative goals, despite the busyness of household life, and the need to protect that time.
Finding balance in motherhood and creativity without compromising authenticity and finding real happiness.
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More about KJ Dell’Antonia:
Website: https://kjdellantonia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjda/
The #AmWriting podcast: https://amwriting.substack.com/
Pre-order your copy of Playing the Witch Card: https://bookshop.org/a/86159/9780593713792
Sign up for A Box of Chocolates, KJ’s aspirationally weekly, realistically more like monthly email of books and enthusiasms will keep your #tbr full and make sure you know what's next.
Related Resources:
The Chicken Sisters, KJ Dell’Antonia: https://bookshop.org/a/86159/9780593085141
In Her Boots, KJ Dell’Antonia: https://bookshop.org/a/86159/9780593542460
How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute, KJ Dell’Antonia: https://bookshop.org/a/86159/9780735210509
Playing the Witch Card, KJ Dell’Antonia: https://bookshop.org/a/86159/9780593713792
New York Times’ Motherlode (archives): https://archive.nytimes.com/parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/author/the-new-york/
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert: https://bookshop.org/a/86159/9781594634727
78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might, Pat Walsh: https://bookshop.org/a/86159/9780143035657
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