Where do you work? What does your space look like?
I’m pretty flexible where I do my work. Sometimes it can be at the kitchen table or at a desk. Since I work full time as an HR Director, I have to take advantage of whatever free time I have, whether it’s during my lunch period, after work when my kids are playing or after they go to bed or on the weekends in the morning when everyone is asleep. I try to write when I get inspired, but if inspiration hits at an inconvenient time, I always take notes on my phone so I can remember my ideas and get them written down when I can. My favorite spot to write is outside on my back patio with a cup of coffee.
Apart from time, what do you need consistently throughout the week in order to be creative?
I need to spend time being around nature to be at my best creatively. It could be taking a nice hike in a scenic trail, by the lake or my favorite – by the ocean – or just taking a stroll down the street in my neighborhood. Music also helps get my creative juices flowing.
Is there a creative routine that you swear by?
Being one with nature and enjoying music for sure!
Do you have a mantra?
If you’re open to inspiration around you, the words will flow naturally.
Imagine you have two hours to yourself. The house is a mess and there are fifty work emails to answer, errands to run etc. Are you able to focus and how?
This would definitely make it difficult for me to concentrate. What I’ve learned over the years and what I try to practice is taking time for myself. Since I’m a prioritizer and compromiser by nature, I would find the best compromise unless there’s an important priority that needs to be met. If not, I would focus on cleaning/errands and important work emails for the first hour, then leave the second hour to myself.
Can you tell us one surprising aspect of your work that changed after you had children?
After having children I learned to enjoy the simpler things. As parents, we always focus on what we need to teach our children so they can be independent and successful adults in the future. But what we don’t think of is the gift that children can teach us. They remind us to enjoy every moment in our present, not just anticipating and preparing for the future. We gain a new perspective – the beauty of wonder, curiosity, and creativity. We’re able to focus on our true self, and truly love and value who we really are when we learn to be like them.
Do your children participate in your art and what form does this take? Physical action / inspiration / the subject of your art?
My children love to hear what I’m writing about. What really makes me happy is that my creativity inspires them. I’ll often see them writing stories or poems or even drawing pictures because my inspiration is an example for them to seek their own.
Do you have a support structure to help you with your work and children?
My husband and both sides of the family are always there to help when I need it.
How do your children articulate what you do and what do they think of your work/art?
They know that mom loves to write and they’re the first ones to tell anyone they meet about my passion. They’re my cheerleaders and I love it! They don’t always know what I’m writing about, but they’re always supportive.
Is there a little voice inside your head that endeavours to knock your confidence as an artist and a mother? How do you silence it?
Yes, definitely. I think all mothers experience this to some degree, especially if what they pursue eats away from any time they have to spend with their kids. Over the years I’ve learned that in order to be the best mom I can be, I have to take care of myself. I remind myself of this every time I feel guilty or have any self-doubt. I don’t think it ever goes away so it’s something we all have to remind ourselves of. I want every mother to know they should be more forgiving of themselves because they are doing a great job no matter what doubts they may have. What helps me silence my doubts as a writer is learning more about my craft and networking with fellow writers. Of course the more I write the better I get at it, and that helps build my confidence.
Explain a situation, related to your work, where you’ve had to combat misogyny. Did your work change from this experience?
I have run into instances of misogyny at work, mostly when I was a young adult working part time. In one instance I was working as a receptionist at a real estate agency and one of the older realtor expected me to hand deliver his coffee and at times he would make some comments that would be perceived as sexual harassment by most people. Luckily, I was comfortable enough to voice my concerns and the behavior stopped. I think it’s important to talk to someone when this happens. No one deserves to deal with that type of behavior. Luckily, the experience didn’t affect my work negatively because my employer put a stop to it.
Name one self-imposed distraction that leads to procrastination and tell us how you handle it.
I think like many of us these days, my distraction is social media. Many times I get caught up in my social media notifications and junk email, then what was supposed to be a half hour break turns into an hour away from what I should actually be doing. Lately, I’ve been using a timer so it gives me an end time and helps me walk away more easily. I use it a lot with my kids too! Lol!
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Pursue your passions and always learn new things. This is true for writing and life.
At what stage did you begin to take your work seriously?
I always enjoyed writing, but I didn’t seriously pursue it until after I had kids. At that time we were moving around a lot because my husband was in the military and I was a stay at home mom. As my babies started sleeping more, I was able to pursue my love of writing during their naps. This is how I started writing my first book, “Lost Among the Tide.”
How could your community help you grow as an artist?
As an artist, it’s important to connect yourself to a community. Many artists or creatives enjoy doing things alone, but I feel that being a part of a community helps us learn from each other and ultimately better our craft. Communities in turn should encourage the exchange of information, foster involvement, and recognize the accomplishments of their local residents. Many of them do a great job of this already and it’s so beneficial for our society.
Click for more information on Tammy’s work or to purchase her book, Lost Among the Tide.
