The Tale of the Overloaded Novelist: Mom, Rancher, and full-Time Worker

Once upon a time, in the wilds of Montana, there lived a modern-day Superwoman. By day, she wrangled spreadsheets, and by night, she wrangled cows. Somewhere in between, she attempted to wrangle her unruly novel into submission.

Chapter 1: The Great Balancing Act

Picture this: It’s 5:00 AM, and your alarm rudely interrupts your blissful dreams of bestselling book tours. You groggily get up, tend to the kiddos’ breakfast needs, get them off to school, and start your full-time job. Eight hours of work later, you transition to farm life—chores galore! Once the family and animals are tucked in for the night, you finally sit down with your laptop. By then, your brain resembles a haystack: scattered and in dire need of organization.

Chapter 2: When the Muse Calls at the Worst Times

Ever had a brilliant story idea while mucking out the barn? ✨ Or perhaps a breakthrough plot twist came to you during a Zoom meeting? The muse has a twisted sense of humor, waiting until your hands are full with a bum calf to whisper, “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if your protagonist had a secret twin?”

Chapter 3: Distractions Galore

Writing time is precious and rare—like a golden egg laid by your favorite hen. But distractions? Oh, they’re abundant! Whether it’s a child yelling “Moooom!”, a cow deciding to escape, or that ever-persistent mountain of laundry, there's always something vying for your attention. The trick is finding humor in the chaos. 🥴

Tips to Keep Writers on Track with Their WIPs

1. Set Small, Manageable Goals: Instead of stressing over entire chapters, focus on writing 200 words a day. It’s like cleaning a barn—one shovel at a time.

2. Create a Writing Schedule: Carve out consistent time slots for writing, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Maybe it’s during the kids’ nap time, or after the last cow is fed.

3. Embrace the Notebook: Keep a small notebook or use your phone’s notes app to jot down ideas on the go. That way, when the muse strikes while you’re elbow-deep in chores, you won’t lose that brilliant spark.

4. Find Your Tribe: Join writing groups or online communities where you can share your struggles and triumphs. Fellow writers can be a great source of motivation and advice.

5. Reward Yourself: Celebrate the small victories—finished a tricky scene? Treat yourself to your favorite snack or a well-deserved break.

6. Laugh It Off: Humor is your best friend. Laugh at the absurdity of your multi-tasking life. It’ll make the journey of writing your novel that much more enjoyable.

So there you have it. A glimpse into the hilarious, hectic, and heroic life of a novelist-mom-rancher. Keep those words flowing, and remember, even a few sentences a day will eventually get you to "The End." Happy writing!