Our latest Stick Of The Week! is Brooke McIntyre. Brooke is in the NOW as Founder of Inked Voices, a web service helping writers find and participate in online writing groups. Inked Voices groups are run workshop-style with a group of peers. Writers exchange manuscripts, share feedback on each other’s writing, and participate in discussions in small, private groups.
Brooke McIntyre is the mom of two bright, energetic children and a writer. She consumes unsweetened dark chocolate, short story collections and fantasy novels. Brooke, her husband Dan, her children Nolan and Brynn and dog Zoey, live in Brooklyn, New York.
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall).
My NOW is Inked Voices. I believe critique groups are valuable because they help you improve as a writer and help you keep writing. The first one is probably more obvious because feedback from your peers helps you improve your writing. Less obvious is the accountability and support a group can offer because when people expect you to submit your work, you tend to get it done. It’s also nice to have the small community of people who share your commitment and love for writing. I think of my group members as my colleagues and friends.
These types of groups have existed for many years in person. I’m creating the tools to run critique groups online. I’m focused on small, private groups because the idea of knowing your group members is important to me.
My NOW is Inked Voices. I believe critique groups are valuable because they help you improve as a writer and help you keep writing. The first one is probably more obvious because feedback from your peers helps you improve your writing. Less obvious is the accountability and support a group can offer because when people expect you to submit your work, you tend to get it done. It’s also nice to have the small community of people who share your commitment and love for writing. I think of my group members as my colleagues and friends.
These types of groups have existed for many years in person. I’m creating the tools to run critique groups online. I’m focused on small, private groups because the idea of knowing your group members is important to me.
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
Inked Voices came out of beta on June 22nd, so I’d say we are simmering! We’ll keep adding new features to the site as I get feedback from writers. For example, we are about to add a monthly lecture series. We will be on the stove for awhile!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
1. Spend time on yourself and discover what you love and what you are passionate about. What makes you lose track of time? What makes work feel like play? When you find that, do more of it—whether for leisure or for work.
2. You have to go for it. Don’t wait. There’s never going to be a perfect time. You won’t ever not be busy. Your family will always need you. Money can be a challenge too, but you have to find a way to go for it. Do it on the side if you need to, but always step in the direction of your passion.
Inked Voices came out of beta on June 22nd, so I’d say we are simmering! We’ll keep adding new features to the site as I get feedback from writers. For example, we are about to add a monthly lecture series. We will be on the stove for awhile!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
1. Spend time on yourself and discover what you love and what you are passionate about. What makes you lose track of time? What makes work feel like play? When you find that, do more of it—whether for leisure or for work.
2. You have to go for it. Don’t wait. There’s never going to be a perfect time. You won’t ever not be busy. Your family will always need you. Money can be a challenge too, but you have to find a way to go for it. Do it on the side if you need to, but always step in the direction of your passion.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I’ve loved writing, especially poetry, since childhood. I did a lot of writing in my career too—blog posts, white papers, proposals, articles, etc.—and once taught a business writing class for people in my company. I’m also really interested in peer learning and collaboration. Too many sports growing up, I guess, but I’ve always enjoyed working in teams.
Before Inked Voices, I worked in branding/marketing for a growing, mid-sized company. I liked my work, but I wanted to build something from the ground up and I wanted to be closer to a subject I was passionate about. When I had my second child Brynn, the scales tipped. To put two children in daycare and work full time, I needed that in my career.
I took a couple of writing classes online during my maternity leave and started a critique group with some of my classmates. Elena, you were one of them, so you know this part ☺! Then I saw some of the challenges with running a critique group over email and the seeds of Inked Voices were born. I would get to combine my passions for writing and peer learning, my desire to build something and my training in business. I never would have seen this path, but it seems quite logical in hindsight!
I’ve loved writing, especially poetry, since childhood. I did a lot of writing in my career too—blog posts, white papers, proposals, articles, etc.—and once taught a business writing class for people in my company. I’m also really interested in peer learning and collaboration. Too many sports growing up, I guess, but I’ve always enjoyed working in teams.
Before Inked Voices, I worked in branding/marketing for a growing, mid-sized company. I liked my work, but I wanted to build something from the ground up and I wanted to be closer to a subject I was passionate about. When I had my second child Brynn, the scales tipped. To put two children in daycare and work full time, I needed that in my career.
I took a couple of writing classes online during my maternity leave and started a critique group with some of my classmates. Elena, you were one of them, so you know this part ☺! Then I saw some of the challenges with running a critique group over email and the seeds of Inked Voices were born. I would get to combine my passions for writing and peer learning, my desire to build something and my training in business. I never would have seen this path, but it seems quite logical in hindsight!
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I’m inspired by the wonder and curiosity of childhood. Children sparkle. My five year old Nolan asks so many questions and reminds me of how much I don’t know. Nolan and his sister Brynn’s smiles are earnest and honest. I see them and I want to make them proud.
I’m inspired by the wonder and curiosity of childhood. Children sparkle. My five year old Nolan asks so many questions and reminds me of how much I don’t know. Nolan and his sister Brynn’s smiles are earnest and honest. I see them and I want to make them proud.
I’m inspired by the writers I’ve met through Inked Voices. Everybody is so different. Different cities, ages, backgrounds, interests. But they all have this drive to tell a story and to improve their writing. And they are doing it.
I’m also inspired by the stories themselves. Sounds, words and stories are magical. They let us explore, be adventurous, be curious. Books were such a part of my life growing up. I remember the thrill of going to the bookstore with my Dad to get a new book, the smell of the pages, the grip of words impossible to put down. Today, I see my five year old Nolan entranced as we read to him. The power of a story is awesome.
I’m also inspired by the stories themselves. Sounds, words and stories are magical. They let us explore, be adventurous, be curious. Books were such a part of my life growing up. I remember the thrill of going to the bookstore with my Dad to get a new book, the smell of the pages, the grip of words impossible to put down. Today, I see my five year old Nolan entranced as we read to him. The power of a story is awesome.
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How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
It’s really hard, especially as the founder of a start up. I feel like I want to get so many things right at one time—and I mess up pretty regularly! I’m very lucky to have my children in childcare/school during the day. But sometimes, I feel bad about taking that time. I balance it by trying to be as efficient and productive as possible during the day, so I can give Nolan and Brynn the attention they need when I’m not at work. I make task lists and try to work in time blocks to be productive.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Some kind of ravioli with a fresh tomato sauce and basil. Maybe some fresh mozzarella and grated parmesan. This is making me hungry!
Metaphorically speaking, I’d like to make Inked Voices a successful community of writers, to create a version of the site for educators, to do more writing myself, to make more time for reading, and to spend quality, present time with my family. Do I live in a dream world?
It’s really hard, especially as the founder of a start up. I feel like I want to get so many things right at one time—and I mess up pretty regularly! I’m very lucky to have my children in childcare/school during the day. But sometimes, I feel bad about taking that time. I balance it by trying to be as efficient and productive as possible during the day, so I can give Nolan and Brynn the attention they need when I’m not at work. I make task lists and try to work in time blocks to be productive.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Some kind of ravioli with a fresh tomato sauce and basil. Maybe some fresh mozzarella and grated parmesan. This is making me hungry!
Metaphorically speaking, I’d like to make Inked Voices a successful community of writers, to create a version of the site for educators, to do more writing myself, to make more time for reading, and to spend quality, present time with my family. Do I live in a dream world?
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