Joanna Bolouri on motherhood and writing

When my daughter was two, I lost my job and became a single parent. This was the defining moment in my life. I had a choice; I could sit alone night after night, worrying that our lives would always be a struggle or use this this time to try and do something to change them forever.

As with most single parents, free time was scarce so I’d sit up at night and write while she slept, catching naps with her during the day to keep me sane. I put everything else in my life on hold, not allowing myself to consider that my work might not actually be any good. I couldn’t. It was all I had. It was exhausting, it was lonely but it was the best decision I ever made. Almost a year later, I’d written my first novel, The List.

My daughter is almost ten now and in the eight years I’ve been writing and raising her, I’ve come to realise that being a mother and a writer are actually two very similar callings. Both require discipline, a sense of humour, a well-stocked booze shelf and most importantly, patience.

I still worry about the future and things are still a struggle but I have managed to raise a bright, kind, funny girl who knows how loved and important she is.

As cliché as it sounds, my daughter motivates me to be a better writer. I see the world and myself very differently, since she arrived. I’m stronger, more resilient and able to express myself in ways I found impossible before.

I want her to be proud of me. I want her to know that every book I’ve ever written was because she inspired me to find my voice.

Motherhood gave me something that I never expected. It gave me my muse.

– Joanna Bolouri

Joanna’s hilarious second novel, I Followed the Rules was published in July 2015, and tells the story of thirty-six year old journalist and single mum Cat Buchanan, as she attempts to follow the ten simple steps of the ‘Rules of Engagement‘ to bag herself a man. 

“The retro dating guide’s recent renaissance left most sane, modern women baffled, but Bolouri has written a character who cleverly challenges the concept. If you hear someone snorting beside the pool this summer, they’ll be reading this!” – Grazia

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Why am I single? by Joanna Bolouri