Welcome, Patricia F. Pagan. First, congratulations to Patricia on being a new mom. How she finds to time be a mom, write and work is a mystery..one and we’ll soon learn about.

Writing When You’re Busy by Patricia F. Pagan.

The first collection that I have curated since becoming a working adoptive mom, Approaching Footsteps, was published by feminist publisher Spider Road Press in late November. I am very proud and pretty gosh-darned tired. I am so pleased that readers are enjoying the four unique and suspenseful novellas, and I’m happy and that I am finally finding a path as a writer/parent of a young child. I have to beat back some tree limbs, and watch out for garter snakes, but the path stands firm beneath my feet.

Writers need time alone to create. Many writers are introverts. And, ask any parent, alone time gets chiseled out of sleep time. Whether at 5 am or 10 pm, it’s only when the kids sleep that mama is truly free to create. Taking alone time to invite the muse also means one has fewer hours in which to connect with other parents, a key to fighting isolation, and to getting tips for dealing with toddler temper tantrums in a quiet library. I met a writer and actress through my church who also has a toddler- and it has been great to commiserate in person, but also via email when we feel we need precious time to be alone. Other creative moms get it. They never say platitudes like “the days are long, but the years are short,” they empower you to take the time to write, because you’ll be happier, and then you’ll be a better parent.

In her recent piece, “For Writers Who Are Also The Mothers of Small Children,” Marcy Dermansky writes, “I want to hug every last mother-writer I know with a small child. I want to tell them it will be ok.”

It’s hard not to feel guilty when you choose an hour with your characters over an hour with your child. However, as writers, our words and tenacity define us. We are role modeling that creativity and doggedness matter. That stories merit time and attention. That fiction can be magic.

As long as I spend as much time as I can reading stories to my child, I know that it’s OK to take some time to craft them.

WHO IS Patricia Flaherty Pagan?

Patricia Flaherty Pagan loves writing and reading about complex female characters. She is the author of Trail Ways Pilgrims: Stories and the writer of award winning literary and crime short stories such as “Bargaining” and “Blood-red Geraniums.” She edited Up, Do: Flash Fiction by Women Writers. She teaches flash fiction writing at Writespace in Houston. After earning her MFACW from Goddard College, she founded Spider Road Press to champion writing by and/or about strong women. Learn more about her recent release, Approaching Footsteps, and her upcoming events on her website: http://www.patriciaflahertypagan.com. Follow her on Twitter : @PFwriteright

WHAT DOES Patricia Write?

Four compelling novellas add up to one suspenseful and entertaining collection.

Enjoy suspenseful tales with unexpected twists? These four compelling, unique novellas

by women will keep you guessing.

*Best-selling novelist Donna Hill spins a gripping tale of desperation and danger in “136 Auburn Lane.”

*Author Jennifer Leeper puts her own spin on noir fiction in “The Reiger File.”

*In “A Night with Kali,” writer & scholar Rita Banerjee blends a story of two unlikely allies trapped in a monsoon with a tale of murder and magic.

*In the historical novella “Brave Enough to Follow,” debut writer Megan Stuessloff tells the story of an interracial couple and the deadly price that must be paid for freedom.

*Editor Patricia Flaherty Pagan curates these rich narratives and the highlights of Spider Road Press’ recent flash fiction contests.

5% for Healing: Five percent of the proceeds from this collection benefit rape crisis and veterans’ charities.