Claudine Wolk’s
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
It Gets Easier!…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers
Tour Begins January 16
Author Interview
- At what point did you decide to be an author and what was your path to publication?
After becoming a new mom and being floored at how difficult the job was, I said to myself, “what the heck? Why isn’t there a manual out there?” I found some books that were about humor and motherhood and they were great but I also wanted some practical tips to getting through those first months with a newborn and the first year as a new mom. I started interviewing women – my Mom, my mother in law, friends, neighbors, strangers on planes – anyone who would answer my questions honestly: What worked for you? Do baby schedules help or hurt? How do you sleep if you are breastfeeding? What’s it like to be home with a baby when you are used to working out of the home? Did your relationship change with your partner? Why do women judge each other?
The information I got was so helpful and I was so passionate about sharing it, that I decided to write a book. My Mom and Dad (both great writers) were my first editors. I tried to pitch the book to agents and traditional publishers and have two inch folder full of rejections to prove it!
After a girlfriend nemesis decided to write and publish a book after she heard that I was writing one and got a publishing contract in the period of a few months, I decided to create my own publishing company in 2008 and publish the book myself. An agent who I had been in touch with who loved the manuscript but felt that my “author platform” was too light, saw the finished book, loved it, and sold it to traditional publisher. I wrote 3 more chapters of the book and the publisher – Amacom, now Harper Collins, re-released the book in April 2009, just months after my edition of the book came out. In 2022, Harper Collins released the audio version of the book and I was the narrator and here we are!
- Tell us what you enjoy most about writing.
I write non-fiction. I love writing. Writing is the ultimate escape. It really is somewhat indulgent. You are alone when you do it, you are completely in your own head. It’s decadent! I write non-fiction and articles in a conversational-friendly style. I am most happy with my writing when I can convey help and humor with practical experience.
- What have you found to be most challenging about writing?
Like most writers, I would answer that finding the time to write is the biggest challenge. I learned something, though, from reading Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlandish Companion” book. She writes that there is no “best time” to write. A writer must keep writing. If one writing project grows cold, leave it and work on the next writing project until that one goes cold and then go back to the previous assignment. As well, Ms Gabaldon writes, always be thinking about what you will be writing when you absolutely can not sit and write. Jot down the ideas for articles, or chapters, or character plots as they come to you. I suppose this is not compatible with “living in the moment,” ie. If you are always thinking about your writing when you are supposed to be having quality time with your kids. But you get the idea. Try to maintain the balance in your personal and writing life but don’t consider your only writing time as the times when you can sit alone in front of your computer!
- What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The toughest criticism so far has been from Amazon reviewers on my book It Gets Easier and Other Lies We Tell Mothers on Amazon who wrote things like: “the author should not be a mother if she hates it so much”. I know, harsh, right?
That’s the deal with my subject, though. Motherhood is a touchy subject. One of the reasons that I wrote the book was because honesty in motherhood is lacking. No one wants tot be considered a bad mother. It seems that sharing the challenges and hardships of motherhood – the reality of it – is threatening to some women. Sharing honesty, humor and practical tips was my goal with the book. These were the things I was so desperate to read as a new mom.
Amazon reviews are tough. Anyone can review your book and they may not have even read it. The best thing to do as a writer is to do nothing. Responding as the author makes it worse and Amazon will do nothing. It is a waste of your time and energy.
Of course, the great reviews far outweigh the bad. Reaching Moms who write to me that my book got them through a tough time or that they felt that I was writing exactly what they felt makes everything worthwhile
It Gets Easier! . . . And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers: A Fun, Practical Guide to Becoming a Mom by Claudine Wolk
Book Summary
Every new mom learns pretty quickly how difficult new motherhood is but also that nobody tells the truth about it. Author and narrator Claudine Wolk learned the same lesson after her son was born but decided to speak the truth about motherhood with humorous insight and reality-based suggestions. A few crucial tips can make motherhood a bit more controllable and a lot more enjoyable.
Publisher: AMACOM
ISBN-10: 978-0840711151
ISBN-13: 0840711151
Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
Purchase a copy of the audiobook on Libro.fm, Audible or Audiobooks.com. You can also add the book to your reading list on GoodReads.com.
About the Author
Claudine Wolk is a writer, radio talk show host, podcast host, and book marketing consultant. Her first book, It Gets Easier and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers has affectionately become “the perfect baby shower gift.” Claudine is working on her second non-fiction book aimed at helping writers who want to publish and market a book in the same fun, practical way as her first book. Claudine lives with her husband, Joe, in Bucks County, PA and has three grown children and a baby grandson. More at www.ClaudineWolk.com
Other places you can find the author online:
https://ClaudineWolk.Substack.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudinewolk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudinewolk/
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/help4newmoms
Stories and Strategies for Woman Podcast: https://storiesandstrategiesforwomen.buzzsprout.com
Blog Tour Calendar
January 16th @ The Muffin
Join us at WOW! as we celebrate the launch of Claudine Wolk’s audiobook version of It Gets Easier!…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
January 16th @ Just Katherine
Join Katherine as she reviews the audiobook version of It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
January 17th @ Liberate and Lather
Join Angela as she reviews the audiobook version of It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
January 19th @ Jill Sheets Blog
Join Jill as she interviews the author about her book It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
January 20th @ The Mommies Review
Join Glenda as she reviews It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. You’ll also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!
https://themommiesreviews.com/
January 20th @ Confessions of An Overworked Mom
Visit Ellen’s blog and read Claudine’s guest post about going from self-published to traditionally published. It can be done!
https://confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/
January 21st World of My Imagination
Nicole features Claudine Wolk on her weekly featured three things on a Saturday night. She also gives away a copy of the audiobook It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
January 22nd @ Just Katherine
Join Katherine again as she shares a guest post by Claudine Wolk about the eight lies we tell new mothers.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
January 25th @ Chapter Break
Join Julie’s blog as she features a spotlight of the audiobook It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
January 26th @ A Storybook world
Deirdra shares a guest post by Claudine Wolk about the five mom mantras that will keep you sane.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
January 27th @ What Is That Book About
Join Michelle as she reviews the audiobook It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com
January 30th @ Michelle Cornish’ blog
Join Michelle as she features a guest post by Claudine Wolk about message, hook, and audience: the starting point to successfully market your book.
https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
January 31st @ Bring on Lemons
Crystal rewards us with her review of It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
February 1st @ World of My Imagination
Nicole features Michelle’s guest review of It Gets Easier!…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
February 3rd @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog for her insights about It Gets Easier!…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
February 3rd @ Lady Unemployed
Visit Nicole’s blog and read Claudine’s guest post about how to get started on a voice acting career.
February 5th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Join Wendi as she reviews It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. You also have the chance to win a copy of the audiobook!
February 5th @ Celticlady’s Reviews
Join Kathleen’s blog as she spotlights It Gets Easier!….And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/
February 6th @ Celticlady’s Reviews
Visit Kathleen’s blog again as she features a guest post by Claudine Wolk featuring uncensored advice for new mothers.
https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/
February 7th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit Wendi’s blog again as features Claudine’s guest post about power shifts in your relationship with your partner and how to get it back.
February 10th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Read an interview with Claudine Wolk at Lisa Haselton’s blog.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
February 11th @ Rockin Book Reviews
Join Lu Ann as she features a guest post by Claudine about reasonably cost-effective ways to promote your book. She’ll also be giving away a copy of the audiobook as well!
https://rockinbookreviews.com/
February 13th @ Bookshine and Readbows
Join Steph’s blog for her insightful reviews of It Gets Easier!…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/blog/
February 15th @ Word Magic
Fiona shares a guest post from Claudine about where to start with book marketing.
http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
February 15th @ Amy’s Booket List
Join Amy for her review of It Gets Easier!…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. You’ll also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!
https://www.instagram.com/amysbooketlist/
I wish I had this book when I had my first kid!
Holly recently posted…How Many Species of Honey Bees Are There?
Right? Me too!