Speaker Spotlight: Gina Conroy

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Gina Conroy is an ordinary mom, serving an extraordinary God. She is learning and growing in her faith, parenting, and writing while she homeschools her four high-spirited children. She is the founder of Writer, Interrupted and she blogs at GinaConroy.com. Would you like to learn How to Homeschool and Follow Your Dream? Well, come and “meet” Gina at the Heart of the Matter Online Conference, as she teaches on how to integrate your goals with being a wife, mom, and homeschooler.

You founded Writer, Interrupted and your blog is entitled “Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted”. Those are very interesting names! How did you choose them?

In high school, I remember reading “A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man” by James Joyce. The book and title left an impression on me, though I can’t recall what the book is about. When I started to think of a theme for my blog I started playing with that title, rearranging and changing out the words. I didn’t want to just have a blog. I wanted it to have a theme. Some how writer…interrupted came to me and it stuck with me. It’s a part of who I am and it seems with my growing group and blog, others consider themselves writers…interrupted.

What led you to become a writer?

Every since I can remember I’ve loved to write. It was how I expressed myself and poured out my heart to God. When I was younger I wrote in diaries, then poetry and journals. In high school and in college I wrote for the school newspaper, and when I got married I started a novel which was interrupted by kids. I set that aside and wrote for local magazines. When my youngest was two I dusted off my novel and starting pursuing publication.

“How to Homeschool and Follow Your Dream” is your topic of discussion. What is your dream?

If you had asked me several years ago, that would have been to publish my novel. But while homeschooling I had an “Abraham and Isaac” moment where God asked me to give up my writing for a season. My new dream is to learn how to balance being a mom, homeschooler and writer. And to be published in fiction.

What do you say to all of those critics that say following your own dreams is selfish?

Nothing about being a mom is selfish. It’s all about caring for others. And sometimes it seems my family is selfish. Can you relate? Some moms can sacrifice every area of their lives and put off their dreams for their children. I really admire that and I wish I were one of them, but I’m not. I’m more driven. I have to have a project other than my kids. When I’m doing something for myself it’s how I nurture and keep myself balanced so I can be a better mom. I admit, sometimes, okay often, I fall into doing things for myself too much instead of laundry and cooking or playing with the kids, but eventually I get back on track. Doing something for myself is much more fun than doing something for my family, but I’m learning to find that balance.

You are a contributing author to 2 books, Reach For Your Dreams, Graduate, and Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms. Could you tell us a bit about these 2 books and what they mean to you.

Reach for Your Dreams, Graduate is a wonderful compilation of inspirational stories about people like Corrie Ten Boon, Hans Christian Anderson, Thurgood Marshall and dozens others. All these people have one thing in common. They had a dream, and overcame adversity to reach their goals and fulfill that dream. It was fascinating writing about each of these characters and the book isn’t just for graduates. It can inspire anyone with a dream. In fact, I probably need to go and reread it!

Everyday Prayers for Everyday Moms was much easier to write. Most of the subjects I were assigned were right on with what I was going through. I just poured out my heart on the page as I would pour out my heart to God. Some subject matter I didn’t experience first hand, but the themes were universal enough I just put myself in the situation and the prayers flowed.