Mama always said, “Your time will come.”Well . . . . it’s here!

Do you find yourself constantly on the run to catch up or to stay ahead of what your kids need, want, and get? Author, speaker, and mother Jenn Doucette can relate! As she reveals the joys, frustrations, and comedies of motherhood, you’ll discover vital keys to keeping your sanity, including…

* setting boundaries and achieving freedom

* choosing contentment

* carving out time to spend with friends

* getting a grip on emotions

* finding time─even 5 minutes!─to be alone

Whether you’re in the midst of chaos or experiencing precious quiet time, you’ll love this fresh look at the delights and quandaries you face every day as a mom. Experience anew the grace and love God gives to bless you and your family.

Jenn Doucette is a freelance writer and humorist who seeks to find the funnies in the yuckies of life. She has authored The Velveteen Mommy – Laughter and Tears from the Toy Box Years (NavPress 2005), Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This (Harvest House 2007), and co-authored Up! Devotions for Faith that Connects (Revell 2007). She has been published in P31 Magazine, and is a contributing author in the New Women’s Study Bible (Zondervan 2006). Jenn will be speaking at the Hearts at Home conferences in March and October 2007.

Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.

I grew up with two younger sisters, a dog, two cats, and an unquenchable thirst to READ! I’m married to an incredibly patient and sweet guy named Ben.

Thankfully this reading obsession is genetic and has passed along to our three children (ages 7, 10, and 11). We’ve spent many a night snuggling with Junie B. Jones, Chronicles of Narnia, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I’ve always been a word person. Always. Words reach me like nothing else can. They inspire, encourage, anger, frustrate, impassion, fill, move, and stretch me. Writing is my way to do so for others.

How did you get your first “writing break?”

My writing career began with a speaking gig. Several years ago I began speaking to local MOPS groups and other women’s groups, sharing my humorous and encouraging mom stories.

A couple years later, the internet finally arrived at the Doucette home; within a couple days I reconnected with an old friend from University days. Turns out he was a literary agent. I sent him my speaking transcripts, studied up on how to write proposals, plunked down the whole package on his lap, and a few months later he sold my idea to NavPress. That was my first book, The Velveteen Mommy (2005).

I must add a caveat that not everyone is so blessed with such an amazing publishing story. Suffice it to say, that since then I’ve learned the lessons of literary rejection and long publication waits.

What do you write and why this genre?

Writing is both challenging and exciting. It’s a thrill to be able to articulate through the written word, ideas and concepts that can impact others. As a Christian, I perceive those changes to be eternal. And gosh! Who wouldn’t want to play with words all day long? (said tongue in cheek; my sisters think I’m nuts)

I started with nonfiction – reaching out to other moms in need of a bit of hope, encouragement, and laughter. But since my first reading love is fiction, I’m jumping into that venue and giving it my best shot.

Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?

I’ve got two books coming out in 2007:

An encouraging, fun book for moms titled, Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This, which releases this month (February) by Harvest House.

I’ve also co-authored a devotional book for teens called, Up! Devotions for Faith that Connects, which is due to hit the shelves June 1^st by Revell.

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

I’m working on my first novel right now. Since I truly prefer fiction, I’m trying my hand at a whole new genre (which makes my agent a tad nervous). Since my writing voice is quirky and fun, my novel is a chick-lit of sorts, AKA: romantic comedy. I’ll keep you posted on that score.

And now for the tough questions…

How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?

I’ve had to practice saying “no.” I have my ministry at church (teaching 2-4^th grade Sunday School), and I decline pretty much everything else. Being a recovered “yes” girl, this is no easy task. I’d love to coordinate, organize, and administrate everything in reach. But I learned the hard way that’s the fastest way to achieve burnout.

I’ve also been successful at getting my kids on board with household chores, which leaves a lot more room in my day to spend quality time with the family.

Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?

It’s certainly a challenge. For many years, keeping in shape took a back seat in my life. Four months ago I put down my foot (and the extra calories in my diet) and stepped on my treadmill. I find that if I expend the extra time and effort to walk every day, I’m more energized for the rest of my responsibilities.

When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?

I write when they’re at school. I write when they’re in bed at night. I try to meet them as they walk in the door after school and I purposely set my work stuff on the back burner while we do chores, make dinner, clean up, do homework, attend their sporting events, and work through our bedtime routines. Unless I have a deadline. If I’m cramped for time, my husband steps in the gap and fills in like a champ. Of course I’ve got occasional pangs of mom guilt – I wouldn’t be a mom if I didn’t!

How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?

Not well. But coffee helps. Summers are the worst for me. I function extremely high on a schedule. I kind of self-destruct when I get interrup—

Just kidding. There are days when it’s okay for me to be interrupted, and other days when it’s not. I try to limit those days and communicate my need for solitude.

How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?

I’m spoiled, actually. Last year my husband built an office for me in the back third of our garage, complete with carpet, a heater, a window, and a well-stocked supply of M&Ms. So when I really need to jump back into business, I announce that I’m “Going to work, so you need to go to Daddy for all your questions.” I also hang a “WE’RE CLOSED” sign outside my office door. These gimmicks work most of the time. Couple other things that work for me:

- shut down all access to internet and e-mail

- turn off the phone in my office

- light a couple candles

- just start writing whatever comes to mind, editing is for later

What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?

That God gave me love of words; that He alone could orchestrate my publishing story. I know I’m doing what He wants me to do – that alone gets me through the “what was I thinking?” moments.

How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?

I turn off the phone and read Scripture. He speaks most clearly to me when I’m in His Word.

If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?

Ask my family for forgiveness, plan a family night, spend some time snuggling with everyone, and create a “Plan Of Attack” list. Seeing all those tasks written in black and white eases my stress and brings me back to Earth. Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?

Not yet, but I wouldn’t put it past Him. He had me set aside any kind of a career for several years when my children were babies, so I’m truly enjoying the gift of writing He’s given me after so many years of simmering on His back burner.

Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?

Nope. Not a chance. He gave me a passion for reading when I was five years old, and I love Him for it.

What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?

Commit it to prayer. Learn the craft. Learn the process. Write excellently. Keep committing it to prayer. If God wants you to be published and if you’ve learned the tools to do so, He’ll make it happen. But if He wants you just to write for Him, go for it and glorify Him with your words!

Thanks Jenn for joining us here! God bless you as you continue to write and raise your family!

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