I’m a sucker for personality quizzes. Even the silly ones that don’t matter at all, like, “which color are you?” Back in the day, I would spend hours on Buzzfeed taking quizzes that ranged from “what color are you?” to “What’s your aesthetic?” to “Are you a broccoli or a cauliflower?”.
It got a little out of hand.
I subscribed to my MBTI (Myers-Briggs) and the Enneagram and loved to figure out just where I fit in the world.
But as I’ve grown in sanctification, I’ve learned to steer clear of them. My identity is found not in what I’ve done (or what vegetable I am), but in Christ in me.
Now, with all of that said, yes, I have organized the fiction writer moms into different types, but I by no means believe this should become your defining identity. If you are a Christian, you are Christ’s, and there is nothing that can separate you from him.
So why define the types?
Guidance. These eight mom profiles are to help other Christian moms who write fiction have a starting place–have an idea that they’re not alone in this sometimes lonely time of motherhood and writing.
Think of these types as a stepping stone in the next direction of your publishing journey. These are not designed to keep you stagnant or define you–like many personality quizzes are–but to guide you.
So, without further ado, here are the eight types:
1. The Stolen-Moments Scribe
This is the writer-mom who works within the natural pockets of the day. Five minutes in the car pickup line, twenty words while nursing a baby, dictating into your phone during your morning commute.
2. The Chalkboard Chronicler
The writer-mom who is balancing her story within the rhythms of teaching–whether homeschooling or in the traditional classroom.
3. The Bewildered Boss
Maybe this mom has a solid writing pattern down, maybe she doesn’t. But she definitely feels overwhelmed by the business side of writing: marketing, graphic design, running a street team, how to publish a book, etc.
4. The Weary Wordsmith
She’s tired. Whether it’s from working a full day and coming home to be with her kids, managing the house as a stay-at-home mom, back-to-back publishing schedules, or a combination . . . this mama is tired! And she’s almost ready to give up on writing completely.
5. The Crossroads Creative
This is the mama who’s trying to decide which publishing route is best for her–traditional or independent. She likes the idea of having a publisher on her side, but the freedom of indie also appeals to her.
6. The Comeback Quill
After a long season away, whether due to school, raising young children, or working a full-time job, this mama is coming back to writing. She’s feeling nervous and unsure about how to jump back into it.
7. The Ambitious Artisan
She does it all. This writer mama loves to learn about the craft of writing. She spends hours reading plotting and outline books, she watches YouTube videos in her free time, she’s got it down . . . until she actually starts writing, then she feels lost on where to begin.
8. The Nomad Novelist
Perhaps she’s been publishing consistently for decades or has already landed her dream agent. She’s got a good writing rhythm and feels pretty solid on the business side of publishing, but she’s lonely. Motherhood and writing can both feel very lonely at times. This mama is looking for her community.
