Crystal Stine is someone I’ve admire from afar and I’m so pleased that she agreed to participate in this series. I appreciate her thoughts on efficiency and leaving a legacy with our words.
This Perspectives on Motherhood and Writing series has been a major encouragement to me and has had a great response from other readers. I Perspectives coming to you every Tuesday through December, but I’d love to keep this series going as long as momma writers want to share. If you’d like to share your perspective or know someone whose perspective should be shared, shoot me an email (emgardner8@gmail.com)!
To catch up on previous Motherhood and Writing posts, head to the Archives page!
Why do you write/blog?
I write to encourage, inspire and equip women to find, build and stay in community. I also write to share about the things I love that I think my community will love – from products to causes, real life family moments and everything in between!
How long have you been writing/blogging?
I’ve had a passion for writing since the 7th grade, when my Language Arts teacher put a note on a project that said “You’re very good. Would you like to write for the school newspaper?” I haven’t looked back since :) {the official answer is “2009” for when my blog started though…I’m older than the internet, otherwise I totally would have had one in 7th grade}
How has your current season of life impacted your writing/blogging?
Right now my current season of life includes working full time from home, some travel, and raising a toddler with my husband. It’s glorious and ordinary and I find myself writing in the “in between” times, usually late at night in front of the TV while watching Project Runway. What I write about and where I write are more intentional as I see the impact my words have on the legacy I leave my daughter.
How has this season of life changed your writing habits?
I’ve become much more efficient, using tools like PicMonkey & Canva to create blog post images that will work across all my social media platforms. I use tools like BufferApp to schedule blog promotion, and when I write late at night there is very little editing that happens before I hit “publish.” I don’t plan much in advance because I seem to write the best, most authentic pieces right when God puts them on my heart.
What is your writing/blogging battle cry?
No one can do it all – but we can all do something. Whether it’s a season to step back and focus on motherhood or to jump in and try something new with blogging, our goal should never be to do ALL the things, but to seek God and where He wants our attention.
How does faith, writing, and motherhood intersect in your daily life?
God has given me a daughter to be my mirror. Not only is she my mini-me physically, she reflects back to me the good, the bad, and the ugly of who I am in this season. God uses her to refine my heart, and I use writing to process what He’s doing in my life, to encourage other women but also to leave a written legacy for my daughter.
Crystal is passionate about living authentically in the beautiful, messy, unfinished parts of life. She encourages women daily as the Editorial & Marketing Manager at (in)courage and through her writing.
Emily C Gardner 
Thank you so much for featuring me here today Emily! I just loved doing this … and…um..I’m completely obsessed with the gorgeous graphics you created :)