Those of us on the edge of our career as authors will certainly have questions for those that have succeeded, but man, woman, mother or not, everyone has to find their own way to tackle their career as a writer.
Lauren Groff, author of Florida and Fates and Furies, in an interview with the Harvard Gazette was posed with a question that we all may have heard a version of at one point or another. Her response was everything.
She was asked by the reporter, “Can you talk about your process and how you manage work and family?”
Her reply: “I understand that this is a question of vital importance to many people, particularly to other mothers who are artists trying to get their work done, and know that I feel for everyone in the struggle,” Groff said. “But until I see a male writer asked this question, I’m going to respectfully decline to answer it. ”
The response on social media has been amazing.
We are loving that Lauren is joining the growing number of females in the public eye charging ahead to change the standard of what is and isn’t acceptable to ask women.
Do you feel female creators are held to different standards than men? Comment below.
(Photo Credit: Lauren Groff, Designed by She Writes)
I like her response. I would love to hear some men answer the same question. It would interest me to know (male writers who also balance work and family) what their secrets are to their success in both. Too bad we make assumptions that men do NOT balance their families and work.
What a great interview. I must remember this answer if someone asks me that question even though I am not a parent. And yes, women in any field have been held to a higher standard than men.
The question doesn't offend me. Some women who are mothers and work both in and outside of the home have three jobs. A writing career would make it four! To me, that sounds like walking on water, something I would want to hear how it's done. On the other hand, most assume men only have one job, which sounds like more of an insult. JS...IMHO.
Absolutely, yes. But at least the question is "how" are you juggling these responsibilities, not "why" or an attempt to stop women from work and family and a life of personal choice. Some progress has been made, even though we have a long way to go.
The fact that we are referred to as "Women Writers" or "Female Writers" vs. "WRITERS" says it all.
Ha ha! I love this. As a female in the world of adventure motorcycle writing I have plenty of opportunities to follow her lead when interviewers ask me things like, "How did you learn to ride [repair, build] a motorcycle?" "How did you get up the nerve to motorcycle through [x country] alone?" Sheesh.