Motherhood & Words

For almost five years, I have been blogging under the name “Mother Words.” I have also taught classes, led retreats, coordinated an annual reading, and mentored other women writers under that name.

It’s time for a change.

It’s been a hellish year in which I lost ten pounds and gained ten pounds (inevitable, I guess). But it’s also been a year of clarification and, dare I say, empowerment.

I began teaching my class for mothers in June 2006 because I wanted to create a place where writing by women about motherhood would be taken seriously as art, where it would be critiqued and nurtured. I began blogging about writing and motherhood to extend the reach of my classes, to broaden the discussion around motherhood literature, and promote some of the wonderful motherhood literature that is currently being written and published.

Along the way, I discovered writing that changed me, that made me not only a better mother, but a better person. It takes courage to write the truth of our daily lives, and I’m grateful to all the mothers who are crafting their lives into art, who are making the path easier or perhaps less lonely for another mother down the line.

When we encounter a challenge, we are forced to take stock and evaluate the importance of our work. And here it is: I believe in my work. I am committed to helping mothers find a way to the page, deepen their sense of craft, and touch the lives of others with their words. I am committed to promoting motherhood literature and advocating for writers whose work is continually marginalized and discarded. I am committed to helping develop a sense of community—virtual and in-person—where we can write the stories we need to write.

I am excited to announce my new brand: Motherhood & Words™.

I hope that this new name encompasses my renewed passion and my broader focus. Historically, I have spent most of my time promoting memoirs and essays that use motherhood as a lens through which to understand the world. I want to expand the discussion and encompass more poets and fiction writers whose subject may not be motherhood, but whose writing is, perhaps, informed by motherhood. And always I am fascinated by the joys and challenges of getting words on the page in the midst of motherhood.

Please change your links to www.motherhoodandwords.com. And thank you for your patience as I work my way through formatting my new site.

I’m grateful for your readership, your friendship, and your support.

Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

58 Comments

  1. Kay K on October 29, 2011 at 6:25 am

    Hooray , I’m up early enough to christen the new blog with a comment! (if someone hasn’t already) Love it – gorgeous, it’s like the curtain has been lifted! I know this past year has been challenging for you – but often that life disruption makes you come out stronger on the other side. Looks like you are there my friend!



  2. kate on October 29, 2011 at 6:39 am

    Kay! Thank you for being the first to comment here! I’m so glad you like the new look. And thank you for your friendship. It means the world to me!



  3. Emily Hedges on October 29, 2011 at 6:45 am

    Kate, the new blog is beautiful and inspiring. I look forward to watching your continued growth, and taking every opportunity I can to see, hear and learn from you in person.



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 6:46 am

      Emily, thank you so much! It was wonderful to see you at the reading a couple of weeks ago. I’d love to get together soon and hear more about how your memoir is progressing!



  4. cath c on October 29, 2011 at 7:44 am

    i like it! this is a good move for you, kate, i can feel it. 🙂



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 7:57 am

      Thank you, Cath! I really appreciate it!



  5. Kristen Spina on October 29, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Love it! The site is beautiful… can’t wait to see more.



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you, Kristen, my dear!



  6. Sara Barry on October 29, 2011 at 8:36 am

    Welcome to you new home : )
    I love the new look!



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you, Sara! It really DOES feel like home!



  7. Julie Stevens on October 29, 2011 at 8:38 am

    Congratulations! The galvanizing process birthed an amazing new platform. So inviting and I love the word “motherhood”. All the best Kate, Julie.



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 1:35 pm

      Thank you, Julie! It has been a process, but I feel really at home here.



  8. Tim ee on October 29, 2011 at 9:50 am

    Good work cousin.

    Keep writing. Let me know what I can do to help on your book tour west next summer.

    A teacher asked me once which was stronger: the rock in the middle of the stream, or the water. It has taken a lifetime to learn that it is water that is stronger, going around obstacles instead pushing against.

    TS



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 1:36 pm

      Thank you, Tim! And it was so wonderful to see you last night! The girls adore you!



  9. Sarah on October 29, 2011 at 11:46 am

    And a beautiful new home it is! Thanks for inviting us in. 🙂



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 1:36 pm

      Thank you, dear Sarah! And of course you know that you are always welcome in any home of mine!



  10. Melissa on October 29, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Kate, it looks fantastic! Hooray for fresh starts, and renewed vision. 🙂



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 1:37 pm

      Thank you, Melissa! And I do feel like I’m moving forward with renewed passion!



  11. Kevin Fenton on October 29, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    Kate–I know it was a painful route getting there but the new site looks fantastic.



    • Kate on October 29, 2011 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you, Kevin! That means a ton coming from you!



  12. Sara on October 29, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    Love the new site, Kate!



    • Kate on October 30, 2011 at 10:30 am

      Thank you, Sara!



  13. Kris on October 29, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    So lovely, Kate!! More admiration from me for your writing, warmth, and efforts!!!



    • Kate on October 30, 2011 at 10:30 am

      Thank you, dear Kris!



  14. Elizabeth on October 30, 2011 at 12:48 am

    This is so exciting — and it looks great, already.



    • Kate on October 30, 2011 at 10:29 am

      Thank you, Elizabeth!



  15. Nina Badzin on October 30, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    The new site and banner look fantastic! Congrats on the new name (I see it as just more and new opportunity) and on continuing to move forward with all that you do. And I hope we’ll meet in person one of these days! I know I was going to get us all together this summer. Didn’t quite work out . . .



    • Kate on October 30, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you, Nina! We have to meet in person. I can’t believe that we haven’t already! Maybe I can bring over some soup after baby arrives.



  16. Kara Thom on October 31, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Jaw dropping fantastic! THIS is moving forward. Way to turn a terrible experience into a better place for you. Inspiring.



    • Kate on October 31, 2011 at 11:39 am

      Thank you, dear Kara. And I’m sorry I couldn’t make the run yesterday. I’d love to do it soon!



  17. Liz on October 31, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    I’ll gladly follow no matter the title you are working under. Glad to see the new “you” out on the web.



    • Kate on October 31, 2011 at 12:51 pm

      Thank you, Liz!!



  18. Ines on October 31, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Congratulations! Kate, the new site looks so professional and yet very cozy. I love the colors.



    • Kate on October 31, 2011 at 2:40 pm

      Thank you, Ines! I love that you think it feels cozy!



  19. Amber on October 31, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    Oh, Kate, what a bright, beautiful, welcoming new website! I love the layout and the script of Motherhood and Words and the pictures! The one of your manuscript is fun to see!

    You rock, Kate!



    • Kate on October 31, 2011 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you, Amber! I tried to reflect both the fragility and joy of children/parenthood in addition to reading and writing in the photos. I’m so glad you like them!



  20. Ann on October 31, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    Love the new site and brand! Feels light, smart and welcoming. Well done!



    • Kate on October 31, 2011 at 7:10 pm

      Thank you, Ann! I hope all is well! I’d love to see you soon.



  21. Andrea on October 31, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    Beautiful new site, Kate! I’m excited to see where you go with your new expanded focus and new name!



    • Kate on November 1, 2011 at 9:39 am

      Thanks, Andrea! I have some ideas churning for the site. Can’t wait to unveil!



  22. Sarah Marty-Schlipf on October 31, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    Kate, the new site looks FANTASTIC. Sorry I’m coming to this post a bit late, but beautiful work.
    And you definitely have my support. That single paragraph–“I am committed to…I am committed to…”–leaves me energized, and I’m not even a mama. : ) But I am, as I’ve told you before, a writer and a daughter, and someone who loves and spends a lot of her time with mothers, and this is one of my favorite blogs. Please keep up the good work.

    Sarah



    • Kate on November 1, 2011 at 9:38 am

      Thank you so much, Sarah! And you know what a fan of your writing I am!



  23. Caroline on November 2, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Congratulations on making it through this hard year with such grace and good writing. I love the new look of the site (especially, of course, those books on your shelf; thank you!) xo



    • Kate on November 2, 2011 at 12:50 pm

      Thank you, Caroline! And of course I was excited for you to see that shot of my desk!



  24. claire on November 3, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    The site is beautiful! So nice to see you in your new home: it’s a whole new era. Time to embrace the future.



    • Kate on November 4, 2011 at 6:57 am

      Thank you, Claire! I’m going to do just that!

      xo



  25. Louise Kinross on November 6, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Your new look is stunning! I have to update my blog.

    I clicked and went to your old site and then in a flash it transformed into your new one. Love the series of photos at the top.

    Very beautiful!

    Congratulations!



    • Kate on November 7, 2011 at 5:47 am

      Thank you, Louise!



  26. Marge Barrett on November 7, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Kate, what a great new site! I know Motherhood & Words will be a great success.



    • Kate on November 7, 2011 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you, Marge!



  27. Mary on November 11, 2011 at 11:53 am

    Wow, Kate, I just found my way here (sorry for being so out of touch!) and the new site is beautiful. I am so thrilled for you!!



    • Kate on November 11, 2011 at 11:55 am

      Thank you, dear Mary!! And I’m sorry for being out of touch, too!



  28. Meet Kate Hopper :: Motherhood & Words™ on November 15, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    […] recently launched a new web site: Motherhood & Words™ and I want to share it with you here today. You’ll find her thoughts (professional and […]

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The comment’s server IP (208.90.22.51) doesn’t match the comment’s URL host IP (208.90.22.97) and so is spam.



  29. Marilyn Bousquin on November 16, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Kate, this new, warm, smart, inviting site is so YOU. I love it. I told the web designer I’m working with to take a look and guess what? It’s Kristen! How funny.

    Sending love, M



    • Kate on November 17, 2011 at 5:05 am

      Thank you, Marilyn! I love it, though I have lots of formatting still to do. Baby steps. So glad you’re working with Kristen!



    • Kate on November 21, 2011 at 2:49 pm

      I love that, Marilyn! She’s great.



  30. Cecilia on November 17, 2011 at 11:18 am

    hi Kate, I’ve been reading your posts via my phone (ow! 😉 and I am now getting the chance to sit down and type some comments. Congratulations on your new brand and I love the new look, the warm colors and the tag line! I’m sorry you had such a tough year but this promises to be a bright new beginning. Thanks as always for being an inspiration!



    • Kate on November 21, 2011 at 2:46 pm

      Thank you, Cecilia! I’m ready for a new beginning!