On 6/9/2010 9:36 AM, Steffi L wrote:Thank you and I'll pass your kind wishes to Elle.

Here are Elle's  answers:
1- yes, my time always gets lost between the kids and everything else.I'm always so busy, too many things to do and so little time.I don't really set out a time for my writing but if I get an opportunity I grab it with both hands.Often I will be writing at night as I can't sleep until I've unleashed the words out of me.

2-Finding the right balance is hard sometimes.It fluctuates.You have to adapt and be flexible.I try to approach my life in an organic way.

3-Having children did certainly not alter my dreams but on the contrary fuelled them.I've found new wings since having them and gained confidence when I had my first-born.

4-The one thing I do everyday for me is swimming.No matter how ill I feel I always feel better after a swim even if I come out weak at the knees, when I'm in the water I feel much better and it centres me.

5-Most days are different, I try to get the homeschool bit out the way in the morning to make room for craft and other fun activities.If it's a really nice day we might go out to a farm, zoo, parc...There are plenty of opportunities to learn everywhere.We also travel a lot and I'm glad my children have a gift for languages, they didn't get that one from their father, bless him.They also are avid readers so that helps a lot with homeschooling.

6-My inspiration: life in general, the sheer amount of opportunities and my children.There are so many activities I love doing, writing has always been a passion of mine.I discovered books when I was 3 and have been found with my nose in one ever since.It's helped me learn other languages as well.I have many facets to my personality, I used to think I was quite mad now I accept this is the way I am.I'm a little bit different and have a huge appetite for many sometimes wildly different interests.With my children I could not bear to be apart from them and they are hypersensitive as I am.My daughter needed a different approach to teaching, I did not want to see her held back at school or fast -tracked through the school system as I was.My son is turning out to be the same.I had anxieties about homeschooling them and only after careful consideration did I take the plunge.I'm glad I did and I so enjoy the time I spend with them.So yes it might get a little chaotic at times in our house but everybody is happy, I sort of get used to do a little writing here and there amongst the madness.

On a positive note Elle has had several pieces and poems published in french recently so it certainly boosted her confidence in her french writing.

Somebody left her a comment  saying she had such talent it was clearly overflowing in both languages.Reading these and knowing her I can  see how she gets overwhelmed at times.

The show was fab, good luck with the others.

Thank you again Ana, I'll keep you up to date.

Hugs, Steffi.