Motherhood and Creativity Interview #13 - Karen Osman
Karen Osman is an award-winning novelist, writing coach & creator of the newsletter, A Writer Abroad. Karen is a long-term expat (currently living in New York), traveller and mother, raising two boys.
Welcome to Motherhood and Creativity, an interview series where I share the words of creative mums who inspire me here on Substack and beyond.
I share words of joy, strength, creativity and community in motherhood.
I feel like when we read the words of mums who speak so honestly about motherhood - the good parts, the hard parts and everything in between - this can really help give us some comfort and feel less alone.
I find so much inspiration from reading about mums who are all weaving their work and creativity around their kids too, as this is the situation I’m currently in. Knowing that there are other mums out there with creative dreams and careers and they are making it work around the edges of motherhood, that is so encouraging.
I hope you enjoy reading the words from these wonderful mums over the next few months, and that you find comfort and inspiration in their words too.
You can read all 12 of the previous Motherhood and Creativity interviews here.
Motherhood and Creativity Interview #13 - Karen Osman
Karen Osman is an award-winning novelist, writing coach, creator of the newsletter, A Writer Abroad. Karen is also a long-term expat (currently living in New York), traveller (when not in a pandemic), and mother, raising two boys.
How old are your kids?
8 and 10.
When your children are older, what do you hope that they remember about the kind of mum that you were?
That I'm someone who they can be themselves with. I hope they feel like I created a home for them where they could relax and enjoy family life.
When you think about the tough parts of your motherhood journey, which of your qualities/strengths have got you through these tough times?
My organisation skills have been crucial in helping me balance parenting and working life.
What brings you joy in motherhood?
Now they're a little older, the conversations. Kids have such new and interesting takes on life. They're also very funny which I love.
How important is creativity to you?
Very - I'm a novelist but there are times when I'm mentally drained from parenting to think creatively. I used to panic about that but now I realise that regular rest helps.
Tell us more about your favourite ways to be creative.
I write a lot but I also have had a lot of fun being creative in the home with interior design, storage organization, etc.
Since becoming a mum, have you experienced a creative surge? What did that look like for you?
I did initially - when my kids were babies, I wrote three novels to tight deadlines which were traditionally published. The three novels all have strong themes of motherhood in them - it was almost like therapy.
What does honouring your creativity look like for you in this season of your mothering?
Having some alone time and not feeling guilty every time I'm not producing when they're at school. Sometimes, it's about having the space to think clearly.
What’s been your experience of finding a community in motherhood?
Very supportive. Online groups and friends IRL have all helped.
What words of encouragement would you offer to a mum who might be struggling at the moment?
While it feels like the tough times will go on forever, everything is just a phase.
You can find more out about here:
Substack -
Thank you for these wonderful words Karen.
I’d so agree that conversations with your kids bring joy in motherhood, and how they have such interesting takes on things and challenge you to think differently too.
I love how Karen talked about how rest helps her creativity, and how honouring her creativity in this season of motherhood means:
“Having some alone time and not feeling guilty every time I'm not producing when they're at school. Sometimes, it's about having the space to think clearly.”
The pressure to be productive all the time is hard to step away from, so it feels like a rebellious act to turn your back on that and rest. I guess in a way, rest is almost part of the creative process for Karen.
It was also so inspiring to read about Karen’s creative surge after having her children and what kind of impact that had on her:
“…when my kids were babies, I wrote three novels to tight deadlines which were traditionally published. The three novels all have strong themes of motherhood in them - it was almost like therapy.”
I hope you enjoyed this interview in the ‘Motherhood and Creativity’ series - I publish these interviews every fortnight, and will continue to for as long as the interviews keep coming through.
You can read all 12 of the previous Motherhood and Creativity interviews here.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments:
Which of Karen’s words resonated with you?
Have you found that rest helps your creativity too?
Ways to work with me:
Swap overwhelm, mum-guilt and anger for calm and compassion by building up tiny moments of daily self-care over 12 weeks with the Bespoke Self-Care Plan for Mums.
Are you ready to make positive changes in your life in a gentle and kind way, that fits in with your life as a busy mum right now?
Then I’m here to encourage you, really listen to you and keep you accountable with Rediscover YOU, a 12 week 1 to 1 coaching experience.
Book a virtual cuppa with me to find out more!
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Thank you both for this great interview. It was lovely to hear about Karen’s mothering life and work. I absolutely agree about the conversations that bring so much joy, even with a 4 and 2 year old there are some real gems! I also resonated with the idea of guilt when not producing/doing when not with my children, thank you for the reminder that sometimes we need the space xx