Toni Shiloh

I live at home with my husband and our two boys. I thrive on a routine during the school year so we’re a bit structured but also not, lol. Life is a little bit strange now that covid has entered our world. I still wake up in the morning and start my day with some prayer and Bible reading. I still ensure the kids eat breakfast and all those things they need to do before school starts. It’s just that now, they don’t leave the house to learn but log onto their Chromebooks for their lessons. Now, if they have a question about their lesson, I help them. Sometimes I have to search on Google to get a quick refresher in order to help them. Living through a pandemic has shown me how much I truly don’t like to cook. How much I enjoyed our family outings on the weekend. How much I want to go travel. But it also showed me how much I enjoy the people in my home and given me opportunities to strengthen relationships with others.

Once my kids all settled and have started their school day, my work day officially starts. I check email, critique any chapters waiting from my critique partners, and do any blog or social media posts I need to write in advanced. Once I’ve done all the admin tasks on my check list, I write. I write until I reach my goal, stopping for food breaks or to help the kids with their assignments. I even give myself social media breaks just to take a writing brain break. J Once I hit my goal, I decide if I have time to keep writing or if it’s time to stop and do household work. I’m not so rigid in my work schedule but my brain pretty much knows when it needs to start writing and when it’s time to stop.

Since I’m a stay-at-home mom and my kids are distance learners for the 2020-2021 school year, a lot of what I’m able to accomplish depends on how well they’re understanding their work. If they have school assignments they just don’t understand and the teacher is unable to explain it for whatever reason, then I step in to offer another way of understanding the information. I don’t have to help my oldest as much (except for when he’s in Algebra or English), but my youngest I have to keep an eye on because he’s easily distracted. I also take days off when the kids do (mostly spring break, winter break, and some other holidays). So I try and meet deadlines that coincide with their holidays.

When I know someone is reading my work (street team with ARCs, critique partners with chapters, editors with books), then I’m biting my nails. I try not to worry the entire time I’m waiting because each one has a different reader speed, but seeing their comments of enjoyment brings relief. And writing “The End” or holding the actual finished book in my hands are moments for praise and giving all the glory to God.

Not today!

This year, the scripture I’m focusing on is Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”