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1.How did the idea for The Time-Starved Family begin?

I was really overloaded for several years, sometimes feeling as though I was actually raising my children in the CAR on supersonic hyper-drive! Often exhausted, I was endlessly driving my kids to lessons and activities, rushing from place to place, and wondering when life would ever slow down. (Not to mention that fact that I was writing enough checks to finance a small country.) I simply couldn’t keep up on any level.

During this time of my life it seemed that everywhere I went, parents like me were simply complaining about their super busy families, yet seemed to be doing very little to change their fast-paced, over-scheduled lives.

Pablo Picasso went through a “Blue Period.” Well, I refer to this particular time in my life as the “Crazy Period.” At the very height of this craziness, my husband and I sat down with our kids and mapped out a “Flynn Family Slow Down Science Project.” We began to drastically reduce the number of activities that took our seven kids away from home each day.

I knew we were on to something good and had an amazing desire to share my thoughts and ideas with other parents. It was like a burning fire within my bones -I felt so driven to get it all into the computer and out to other moms.

2. When did you first decide to write it?

It was about two years ago, prior to Julie Beck’s “Mothers Who Know” and Elder Dallin H. Oak’s, “Good, Better, Best.” I began to collect and organize my ideas shortly after our family jumped off the over-scheduling treadmill and aimed for “thriving,” instead of merely “surviving” each day. (Our family certainly has not arrived. However, over the past two years, life has definitely been much more sane around our house.)


3. How long did it take you to write it?

From start to finish, it was about a year-and-a-half.

4. What prepared you to write this type of story?

Raising seven active children has been the most valuable preparation to write The Time-Starved Family, but I also have a BA in Journalism and have written professionally for many years - writing news copy, ad copy, scripts, and lyrics. I never dreamed of being an author when I grew up. But, then again, I haven’t really finished growing up! Who knows what great adventures are in store down the road?

5. Were there parts of it that were difficult to write?

My parents were serving a full-time mission for most of the time I was writing this book and I don’t have an “Alice,” like the maid from The Brady Bunch, living at my house. For me, the most difficult part was simply finding the time to fit some writing in and still fulfill my family commitments as a wife and a mother. (I guess you could say I was “time-starved.” Go figure?)

My husband and children were amazingly supportive, though, as were my friends - especially Judi and Martsie. When I got tempted to quit on many occasions, they (along with my cheerleading mom and great husband) would encourage me to finish what I had started. For that, I’m now very grateful.

6. What were some lessons you learned while writing?

It was actually quite life changing for me, and for my family, to remember and try to re-focus on the real reason we’re here on earth. The Flynn Family needed a little shot-in-the-arm to re-prioritize our lives - centering our lives more around the things that matter most in the long (eternal) run. We still struggle. But at least, now, we’re extra-aware of those things and we try to quickly jump back on the path when we fall off or get into “the trap” of busyness.

7. Tell us about your family.

I have seven amazing children, from Kindergarten to BYU, and a terrific husband.

Our kids are all just under two years apart, except for the “vision” child we had at the end. (We thought we were done, but the Lord had another plan for us.) Nick, Kate, Sarah, and Jake are all teen-agers. Jenny, Michael and Elizabeth are in elementary school.

We’ve had every animal known to man – excluding a horse. (My daughters will never get over that one small fact.) We live on almost an acre in Holladay, Utah, so there is always PLENTY of yard work to go around. So if you’re good with a rake, come on over around September or October. We could always use another pair of strong hands.

8. What is one of your favorite family memories?

That’s easy. On an extended family trip to Lake Tahoe one summer, all nine of us were coming back from visiting an island with my sister-in-law on a ski boat one evening. The sun was just starting to set and we were racing across the top of water in her boat at full speed with music playing as the wind blew in our hair. No one spoke. We just keep looking into each other’s eyes and smiling. It was truly a magical moment - a real “gift” to me, as a mother. I now know what heaven must feel like. Makes me cry just thinking about it…

9. What is one tip you would give to women, either from your book or your life experiences, who struggle to find balance and stability in their lives?

Focus on the BASICS – daily scripture study, daily prayer, FHE, YM/YW each week, and regular family meals. Make the things that really count, count! They’re the foundational building blocks that help grow testimonies of the Savior and His gospel. I think so many of us are “missing it” for the world.

10. Is another book on the way?

Absolutely. I’m working on a non-fiction idea and a fictional piece that I’m really excited about.

11. Do you have anything else you would like to say to an audience that is currently or recently finished reading your book?

As women, we’re each just trying to do the best we can with what we’re given. So don’t get overwhelmed or think that “all is lost” if things haven’t been perfect in your home. Simply take a look at your current family situation and decide where you can improve. The past doesn’t determine your future – you do! Begin today to make positive changes toward focusing on what matters most. By simply becoming more aware of those things, the Lord will bless you and your family. I guarantee it.

Fabulous fellow moms and sweet sisters, WE CAN DO THIS! And it’s never too late to start. I would love to hear about your personal experiences so I can learn from you. (www.deanneflynn.com or www.thetimestarvedfamily.com)