April 2023
Wellspring Mother Artist Feature:
Feature 4
We're delighted to introduce you to Mother- Artist, Lindsay Schlegel, a writer, editor, podcaster, and knitter who resides in New Jersey with her husband and children. Her most recent work, a collaboration with Keaton Douglas, “The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction” was released this April (2023). On her website, she expresses about this book: “Easily one of the most important books I've worked on in my nearly twenty years in publishing.”
We encourage you to follow her @lindsayschlegs on Instagram and visit her Substack, Eight on the Eights and tune into her podcast: Quote Me with Lindsay Schlegel
Thank you, Lindsay, for sharing with us your brillance and wisdom, and for supporting this rising project of Mother-Artists.
Mia + Jess
Lindsay’s workspace.
WELLSPRING: Please share with us your name, where you are from and what medium (s) you work with.
LINDSAY: Lindsay Schlegel; New Jersey; nonfiction essays and books and fiction--novel, short story, children's books; for pleasure I also knit, crochet, and just started learning embroidery.
WELLSPRING: Where do you look for inspiration?
LINDSAY: My writing inspiration comes from my life--what I'm reading, thinking about, dealing with on a daily basis. Some of this is life as a mom, or as a woman, as a Catholic or as an artist. My pieces might combine some, but not all of those things. It's always a treat to get a note from a reader to know someone else was curious about or interested in the same thing. The fiber projects I do are often gifts for others, so there's something I want to create for that person (often my children) that will make them smile. I've knit a dolphin, three octopi, a mermaid, a bear, a Death Star, and more! When I knit for myself, I choose my project based on color and texture; sometimes I'll see a pattern and can't get the image out of my head. That's one I know I'll enjoy making and wearing. I tend to have many projects going at once. I often tell myself I'll finish things before casting on something new, but that's a struggle for me!
WELLSPRING: What excites you about what you are working on right now?
LINDSAY: The book I co-wrote, The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction is now available. It received a nihil obstat and imprimatur, which is exciting. This book, I pray, will move both clergy and laity to stop viewing those suffering from addictions of any kind as "other" and rather to respond to them with the love of Christ. I'm also working on a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing at the University of St. Thomas Houston. Every class is challenging and thrilling--what a gift. Finally, I'm working on a children's picture book that has some interest, so I hope that project will land soon!
“You, your children, and your family are always changing, which means when you work, where you work, and what you’re working on will have to change too. Accept and embrace this. Not because “they grow up so fast” or because “you’ll miss this later,” but because THIS is where God put you right now. He knows what He’s doing. Work hard. Trust Him more.”
WELLSPRING: Please share how/where you see your faith intersect with your creative expression as a mother artist.
LINDSAY: So much of what I do is in the Catholic realm. I write for CatholicMom.com, Radiant, and Aleteia. I've published books with Ave Maria Press and Our Sunday Visitor. My faith is very present in what I write, and it's a blessing to be so forthright about it. It's also a challenge when my prayer life feels dry or I don't make enough time for the Lord in my day. In some ways, I suppose, my work is a call to authenticity, which is a gift in itself.
WELLSPRING: How has your motherhood journey impacted your creative process or your way of seeing/thinking?
LINDSAY: I struggled to find the time to write before I was a mom. I've always wanted to write and enjoyed writing, but I didn't think much would come of it. In both high school and college I waited until second semester senior year to finally take a creative writing class! When I was pregnant with my first son at a pretty young age (married at 23, child born just shy of a year later), I realized that if I wanted to write, I'd better get started. Life was happening and I couldn't count on things to slow down any time soon. I started a blog, Young Married Mom, which only my family and friends read, but through which I learned that I could write on a regular basis. Between that and simultaneously launching a freelance editing business, I learned to be a mom while I was learning to really be a writer--to prioritize it and work at it. Writing and mothering are intertwined for me. I've taken breaks from work when I needed them, but my work has been growing and changing ever since. Being a mom has taught me how to use time well (not that I always excel at this). Cultivating that side of who I am has helped me to keep perspective as a mom and meet some really cool people, too!
WELLSPRING: What encouragement or wisdom would you share with another mother wanting to pursue her creative call?
LINDSAY: Life is full of seasons. Right now, you may be able to write an essay a week. Next month, you might have what feels like a never-ending carousel of sick children to care for (which means you may go down next!). I know a woman who got a burst of creativity right after delivering each of her sons and wrote a couple of best-selling picture books. Others spend the time after births wondering when they will sleep through the night again. You, your children, and your family are always changing, which means when you work, where you work, and what you're working on will have to change too. Accept and embrace this. Not because "they grow up so fast" or because "you'll miss this later," but because THIS is where God put you right now. He knows what He's doing. Work hard. Trust Him more.
WELLSPRING: Please share with us where we can see, read, or experience your creative work: (i.e. social media, website, exhibits, concert info, blogs, books, etc...)
LINDSAY:
To read, visit: Don't Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God
The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction
To connect and follow:
IG: @lindsayschlegs
Twitter: @lindsayschlegel
We hope you enjoyed this Wellspring Mother Artist feature!
Stay tuned for more, we’ll be releasing two each month as part of our Open Call Collaboration, you can check out the details here. Interested in being featured? Send us an email over at wellspringmotherart@gmail.com with a statement of interest and share your Instagram @ handle or other social media presence.
