“Behind every book is a writer who stayed in and stared at the wall a lot.” I forget who said that, but it has stayed with me. And I'm here to tell you a brutal truth. The writing life is not for everyone. It’s not the dream life Instagram would have you believe, sipping lattes, typing in cafés. In reality, the writing life often feels like locking yourself in a dark room with only your insecurities and your inner demons for company. It is deeply isolating. I’ve spent months avoiding social events because I had deadlines or because I was inside a fictional world that felt more real than my own. I’ve missed birthdays, dinner parties, school events. Friends drift. Family assume you’re “free all day” because you work from home. And try explaining a creative block to someone who thinks all you do is "make stuff up" for a living. There are days my child has looked at me and said, “You’re not really here, are you?” He’s right. I’m physically present, but mentally locked in a chapter, chasing a sentence, or thinking about whether a plot twist works. There’s guilt in that, a quiet ache of knowing that at times the people you love the most feel like they come second to your fictional universe. The pay? Let’s just say I’ve had royalty cheques that wouldn’t buy a week’s worth of groceries. There are months where you question your worth entirely, when a pitch is rejected, a book flops, or worse, is completely ignored. And because you dared to bleed honestly on the page, you get told you’re too much, too frivolous, too serious, too feminist, not literary enough, too commercial, too lightweight. Yet, the highs are so luminous they make the lows worthwhile. When a reader writes in saying they loved it. When you re-read bits of your published book and think, wait, I wrote this? When the story finally surrenders and you just know what comes next. So no, this life isn’t for everyone. Choose it only if you are one of the mad ones who can’t not write. And if you do, welcome to the abyss. It does not stare back. #WritersLife #RealTalkForWriters #WritingIsHard #MomWriter #WriterMomLife #WritingStruggles #AuthorLife #womenwhowrite

Book: “The One Without Flame,” Link to the book: amazon.com/dp/B0DYZNXYPC Author: Michelle Massie Description: Two realms, one destiny—prepare for the collision... #yafantasyrecs #fantasybookrec #newbook #dragonbooks #Twokingdoms #onedestiny #prepareforaclash #writermomlife

Book Name: “The One Without Flame,” To get the book: amazon.com/dp/B0DYZNXYPC Author: Michelle Massie Description: Two realms, one destiny—prepare for the collision. #yafantasyrecs #fantasybookrec #newbook #dragonbooks #Twokingdoms #onedestiny #prepareforaclash #writermomlife

Choose your battles wisely. Morning you scamps 🥰 Have a great start to the week…and to those who have kids home for half term, may the force be with you ! #thoughts #thoughtoftheday #monday #mondaymotivation #mondaymorning #writermom #writermomlife #writerlife #writer

Check out Eva Lauder Author's video! #TikTok vm.tiktok.com/ZMYbqv5uL/ #writerslife #writermom #writermomlife #schoolholidays #easterholidays #wip #amediting #amwriting

Check out Eva Lauder Author's video! #TikTok vm.tiktok.com/ZMY44Vveq/ Aargh! #writermom #writermomlife #amwriting #writingcommunity #wip #wipwednesday

Check out Eva Lauder Author's video! #TikTok vm.tiktok.com/ZMFDnsdjr/ #throwbacksong #throwbackthursdaysong #writercommunity #indieauthor #writermomlife #booktok #amwriting #contemporaryromance

Wrote myself a giant to do list because if I don't have lofty goals, what do I even have? #writermomlife

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I can't offer any parenting tips, but I do have plenty of advice—from the beginning of your project to publication and beyond—on writing, revision, marketing and more. Join me? goodstorycompany.com/members… #writermomlife #writingcommunity

This is what it's all about, people! #writermom #writermomlife

Impossible to have a serious photoshoot with this little guy around...thanks for not pulling my skirt up so everyone can see my spanx 💛 @johnmcusick #writermom #writermomlife #authorpreneur

Finally reached 50k in my #WIP. Whew…it’s no easy task when I’ve got the Tasmanian Devil at home. Heck, who needs expensive toys? Just give this kid a box of tissue & he’s entertained. Who said babies born during COVID were chill? Not this boy. #WritingCommnunity #WriterMomLife

Entering that magic point of editing where everything is starting to click but I'm too fucking tired to even appreciate it is peak #writermomlife.

Normally I’d say I’d have the first book of this series #written by the end of next week…but that was before the 2 yo😂. Realistically, I’ll have it done when it’s done, but it will for sure be finished by the time the snow melts. #WritingCommunity #Writers #writermomlife

When you’re trying to #edit some chapters and Wonder Woman sneaks up on you disguised as a Disney princess. #writingcommunity #writer #writers #writermom #writermomlife #writermoms instagram.com/p/CbNaQ_4Os79/…

Future #artist in the making❤️🔮🦄. My little #muse. #writermom #writermomlife instagram.com/p/CafVr3nuO6y/…

Hey #WritingCommunity, curious about everyone’s greatest non-writing accomplishments this week! Me? I organized our linen closet... and finally got the mildew smell out of a batch of laundry that may have sat in the wash too long 😬 How about you? #amwriting #writermomlife

My heart swelled. Yes, my love. She’s saving the world, and bringing her baby with her. Mommies can have adventures too. #WritingCommunity #writermomlife

Never have I been so happy to have a beautiful piece of commissioned art from @toondoon1010. 3 y/o paid close attention as I introduced the characters, then her eyes lit up. “That one has a baby!” (3/4) #WritingCommunity #writermomlife

As both our eyes glazed over while I tried to explain parallel dimensions to a toddler, she searched for a more energizing topic. “Are there pictures?” “No pictures.” I sighed. “Can I see a picture of the outside of the book?” 😔 (2/4) #WritingCommunity #writermomlife