Showing Up to the Page: A conversation with Adriana Gutierrez

How the words happen in busy days

Lately, I’ve been noticing how writing actually fits into real days.

Everyone I know does this differently, and I wanted to start a space to share how other writers make room for the work inside full days.

So I’m starting a series, Showing Up to the Page—short conversations with creators about how they keep writing and creating inside full, busy lives.

For this first conversation, I chatted with fellow writer, mom, and teacher Adriana Gutierrez about what “showing up” looks like to her. She shared so many good, real nuggets—like how deadlines help keep her motivated, and how having something on the calendar (she’s gearing up for the upcoming 50 Precious Words contest hosted by Vivian Kirkfield) gives her a nudge to keep going. Good luck with your submission, Adriana!

We also talked about something I really believe: writing doesn’t only happen when we’re at our computers or holding a pencil. A lot of the work happens in the background—on walks, in the car, while doing the dishes. The thinking, the imagining, the turning a story over in your head. Sometimes that’s the part that has to come first.

You can listen to or watch our conversation here (still finding my video-editing groove—thanks for bearing with me).

Thanks again, Adriana, for the fun chat! Follow Adriana’s writing journey on Instagram, where she shares her love for diverse books!

If you’re writing around a busy life—parenting, teaching, caregiving, a demanding job, or just the general fullness of being human—I hope something in this conversation feels like permission to keep going, even when it’s messy.

And if you’re showing up to the page in whatever small window you have right now, that counts.

Thanks for being here with me!

Sonrisas,

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If you enjoyed this video chat, consider subscribing for more! I’ll be bringing in other guests, sharing more conversations about showing up to the page, and there will be giveaways along the way, too.