They Don't Know How I Do it!

How can Deidre do it all--agent, author, have a life. I don't see how she can possibly do all of that.

This is the question many ask of me—seeing that I’m a successful literary agent, mother, author, wife…friend, human being. The list goes on. I think it’s one reason why a few doubt whether I can juggle my agenting and author career simultaneously.

I thought it would be cool to let y’all get to know me better, and take a look at my life. For instance, what am I doing RIGHT NOW? I am sitting on my screened in back porch, with my kids (who are taking a break from water balloons and sandbox play in the back yard to have a snack), and writing a new blog entry on my laptop. The weather is perfect, probably 75 degrees, with partly sunny/partly overcast skies. There’s a light breeze reminding me of exactly why I live in Georgia and not New York City. Spring has come to the deep south, and probably won’t be departing again!

My wonderful husband and best friend is napping upstairs, I’m playing with the kids while working on my laptop—something that’s quite possible now that they’re no longer babies and getting older. At times I take breaks, doling out snacks or answers to questions: “Mommy, you know what I want? A book of potions and a book of magic.” I, of course, explained that I wasn’t behind her possible foray into sorceresshood.

Later today, the girls will head to bed at their normal hour, leaving a full night where I can write, blog, answer interview questions, or just hang with my husband and stare at him. We don’t tend to be much on the latter, we’re both too goal-driven. Judson has taken up guitar, and is now prone to sitting around jamming on his electric guitar until after I go to bed—or until I do. So what do I do during his jam sessions? I write. I edit. I work on my side-venture of being an author.

Tomorrow, it’s our girls’ intercession break, so they won’t have school all week, so I won’t have to get up quite so early. Still, I’ll be to the office no later than about 8:45 or so. Who will care for the girls? I have a nanny, Ms. Lolita (she has the best name in the world! Lolita Love—doesn’t that rock?), who will come and take care of them. Later in the day, her own daughters will come over, both of whom are about my girls’ ages. They’ll probably head to the park. They’ll definitely go to the grocery store (see, I don’t have to shop!) and at the end of the day, my honey will cook our dinner (another task that I don’t handle!)

I’m not sure if you see where I’m leading here, but I’m really blessed—my free time isn’t filled with the same tasks that occupy many working mothers, i.e. juggling in grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, dishes. THAT is how I have extra time, on top of agenting, to write. And you know, as much as many might envy me, I’ve worked my little behind off to get to this point, to have the kind of support at home that allows me to focus on what’s important beyond my agenting career. Not just what’s urgent, in other words, but the truly important elements of my non-agenting life—my daughters, my husband, my family, and my writing.

(Gotta share this—two people are walking down the street, and Riley—my three year old—just said, “see those people at that white fence. We really don’t know those people.”)

I’m so blessed; my life, both at home and professionally, is the richest, most amazing life any person could lead. If I weren’t careful, I could envy myself! LOL!
Hugs to all