Alice Kuipers's Blog: Book Club, page 5

Getting four kids through jet lag after one of them had an epic...

Getting four kids through jet lag after one of them had an epic and awful #migraine on the all night flight (hands cupped full of puke, anyone? Ah, #momlife), has been, I’m, fun. Especially as Yann’s away now on a #research trip. All the wakeful nights give me time to think about my book, if not time to write. I hope this prompt is fun for any of you #writing. Loving #London with my lovely, lively four, and feeling ambitious for the next few days to see and do plenty… #travellingsummer #summerfun #momwriter

If you go down to the woods today, be sure of a big surprise...

If you go down to the woods today, be sure of a big surprise (or, at least, a wild bunch hiding in the trees). There’s maybe a #story in here somewhere, but I won’t be writing anything for the foreseeable future: Yann’s away now on a research trip and I’m wrangling these four, trying to keep them from terrible falls, for example… #reading and enjoying the third in the #crazyrichasians trilogy, when these guys let me… #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram #summerfun #momwriter #writingprompt

This morning, my job is to read through the second Polly Diamond...

This morning, my job is to read through the second Polly Diamond to check the text one last time before it is made into an ARC. The stunning work of illustrator extraordinaire @dianatoledano makes me so delighted. So, I have coffee, a pen, and a huge smile as I get to work. We had two of our kids friends sleepover last night so the house was busy (busier?) and full, and then I got to go for a long walk with the fabulous @jobysaysrelax once they were all asleep. This mix of writing and summer with kids is a complicated juggle for Yann and for me, but we’re figuring it out! I hope your summer is going well—that you’re reading something good (tell me, tell me!) or writing something amazing!!!#summerfun #children #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram #newbook #pollydiamond #pollydiamondandthemagicbook

Nine years ago today, I was in the hospital two days from...

Nine years ago today, I was in the hospital two days from starting a journey that was nothing like I’d imagined. Having a premature baby, who spent six weeks in the #NICU here at #RUH was a humbling and terrifying and emotional and intense way to become a mother. Every moment felt like travelling a new planet—and what a beautiful world it has turned out to be. I am so grateful for the care my oldest son received from the nurses and doctors, and for the other families (well, the other mothers) I met and loved right there with me. Today, I was locked out of the house for a couple of hours. I sat around in the heat, catching up on work and waiting for my kids to get back from various camps so I could get back into our home. It was time by myself, something rare and lovely, (and crazy hot), and it gave me time to remember how scared I was nine years ago. It also gave me time to reflect that I could never have imagined my son would become the healthy, thriving nine-year old he’ll be later this week, when he was born so tiny and frail. (And I had time to pose for a #selfie once I was bored of work and my own company!!!) #kids #momwriter #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram #baby #summerfun

Because some days are about beginnings, and some are about...

Because some days are about beginnings, and some are about endings. Having written lots of books now, I know the words #theend don’t mean that toddy is about endings. Today is about taking a break from this book of mine, this crazy, beautiful project I could not stop writing, before I begin the work of editing it… #writersofinstagram #momlife #writingprompt #momwriter #reading

My daughter took this photo while we were camping this weekend;...

My daughter took this photo while we were camping this weekend; my oldest son was learning to sail and the rest of us were hanging around on shore, having a blast. I haven’t written anything for days and I’m reading a fast-paced crime thriller—summer is fully upon us… #writersofinstagram #momwriter #writerscommunity #redberrylake #summerfun

Treehouse breakfast—spot the little foot. Thanks...

Treehouse breakfast—spot the little foot. Thanks #saskatoonpubliclibrary for another gorgeous book. Today, we’re getting ready to go camping and enjoying some balmy #yxe weather. I think I’ve got the final scene for the book I’m working on and so I’ll have that running in the back of my mind, ready for next time I get to write. For now, it’s poetry about the stars on this lovely #picturebook Treehouses and stars, surely a writing prompt there for you to work with if you get some writing time today. Let me know if you #write today—or if you read something I should… #writersofinstagram #momlife #writingprompt #momwriter #writerscommunity

Easily the best part of my job is when I get sent books! I loved...

Easily the best part of my job is when I get sent books! I loved the first in this trilogy by @davealexanderrobertson and I cannot wait to read this beautiful second book which just arrived today—doesn’t it look great? What are you all reading? Any suggestions for this sun soaked (except for today’s rant glitch) Saskatoon summer? #bookstagram #YAnovels #writerscommunity #reading #summerreads #momwriter

I’m at the stage where all I want to do is write my new book—I’m...

I’m at the stage where all I want to do is write my new book—I’m dreaming about it and distracted by it, but #summer is here and so my kids are home. Just before I took this picture, everyone was settled doing something and I thought I might be able to write a couple of hundred words. Then everyone needed a new #activity so we started a super messy hands on #craft and I gave up. The balance between #writing and #parenting was hard for me yesterday. As soon as I gave up writing and dived into marble painting, I was way less grumpy. I hope some of you get to write today, maybe this image could get you started? #writersofinstagram #writingprompt #lifewithkids #books #writermom

I got my baby fix today with this beautiful boy. So lovely to be...

I got my baby fix today with this beautiful boy. So lovely to be with a little tiny one as he explored the world—and to see the bigger kids enjoy hanging out with him too. Although, I have zero energy for anything at all now! No way I could write today #writersofinstagram #pensandpaper #babies #notwritingtoday