Author Q&A With Emily Redondo
Emily Redondo is a writer, bookworm, and proud mother of four whose articles on recovery and motherhood have been featured in Love What Matters, Genius Recovery, and Legacy Launchpad. Her interests include gardening, camping, collecting antique curiosities, and tinkering with her latest diy project in her workshop. She lives with her husband, Pete, and their lively household in McKinney, Texas. Meet Emily:
Did you always want to be an author? I have always wanted to write, although I never considered making it a career. Writing an entire book seemed utterly impossible for someone like me, but in my daydreams, I knew if I ever gave it a try, it would be a memoir.
What inspired you to write Wife Mother Drunk? In the summer of 2014, at my fifth rehab in California, my therapist wanted me to find “the thing” inside me beyond motherhood and marriage that I’d lost or forgotten, just for me. The second I told her I’d always wanted to write a book, she looked me dead in the face and said, “Emily, that’s it,” and I knew she was right. I’m not sure how to explain how it became something I had to do, but Wife Mother Drunk came from a need to investigate my past and piece things together, rather than from inspiration.
How do you hope your book uplifts those who read it? I hope this book encourages others to think about their own families and the complexities that lie beneath one person’s surface value. Hopefully, it uplifts readers by helping them find personal connections and quiet validation for things they’re afraid to speak or feel. This memoir doesn’t offer hope that comes as advice or solutions, but it does offer hope in a whisper that says, “You aren’t alone. I see you, too.”
What are you most excited about with this book? After eight years, I’m finally excited to have a finished memoir! I wrote with the absolute intention of never picturing what would happen once it was done, so all of this is exciting and scary. It still feels unreal and weird to think about, but I’m looking forward to seeing what others think about it.
How do you handle setbacks and criticism? Setbacks are the norm, not the exception, and they often appear unexpectedly, so it’s more about choosing whether to go with the flow or stop to reassess. I have to pick my battles.
Criticism is a little different because it can feel so personal, especially for those of us who want reassurance and approval. I actually like constructive criticism from people I trust because otherwise, I don’t see the outside perspective. But in terms of people’s negative thoughts or opinions about me, I’ve likely already heard it. To each their own.
How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve the goals that you set forth? For me, goals can actually set me up for failure. I prefer to call them aspirations and incorporate a more open mindset. When it came to writing the memoir, I set timers for writing periods and breaks, worked with deadlines from my editor, and rewarded myself when my aspirations came true. Something like browsing an antique shop, working on a DIY project, or fiddling around in my garden.
Connect with Emily and learn about her journey via her Instagram.
