Motherhood is beautiful and challenging, a concept many mothers may resonate with, Sierra Zemke says.  

A mother of two young children, Zemke, has taken her experiences with motherhood as inspiration in writing her first fiction novel. Sitting in a Kalispell park, while her children Elijah and Cherish played on the monkey bars Zemke talks about the book, along with the difficulties and joys that come with motherhood that ultimately inspired the book.  

“It’s worth it,” she says of being a mom.  

Following the lives of five different mothers “Mommy Minds” was released last September. The journey to writing the book began in 2018 after the birth of her first child, reflective of her own step into motherhood.  

However, her foray into writing a novel has roots that reach farther back into her childhood. Zemke was born in Oklahoma but grew up in Kansas in a family of educators. She was always interested in English. When she was in the second grade, her interest in writing spiked.  

Her mother had begun taking writing courses at a nearby community college. The stories she wrote quickly turned into bedtime stories. Zemke smiled, remembering one about going into a tornado shelter during a storm and finding canned peaches. From that point on, Zemke began to write her own stories.  

She remembered a little book she wrote in elementary school about a group of girls in the 1800s. Inspired by the “Little House” books, she laughed.  

She went to Kansas State University for elementary education. She met her husband, who is from Kalispell, through a friend at school and the pair moved to Polson after she graduated in 2013. She taught at various schools until her son, Elijah, was born in 2018. 

“Up until that point I was career oriented and then I was adjusting to a new life and schedule at home,” Zemke said. “I've heard a lot of moms say that when they first start out, it’s like wow, it’s so lonely.”   

Eating a snack her children laugh while sitting on a nearby picnic blanket while Zemke shares her journey of motherhood and writing.  

Being a new mom, Zemke felt like that feeling could be relatable, sparking the beginning of “Mommy Minds.” The book follows five women from different backgrounds: Chloe, Missy, Marsha, Kate and Jesse. Each character ranges in age, stage of motherhood and overall life experience. But there is one thing in common: they are all mothers.  

From a woman who at age 16 gave up her child for adoption to a seasoned mother of teenagers to a first-time mom, the range of mothers is reflective of everyday people, Zemke said. Each story follows the trials and happiness that comes from parenting. 

Six years later, after the birth of her daughter Cherish in 2021, the stories braided together to create “Mommy Minds.”  

Throughout the writing experience, Zemke saw how important community truly was, for mothers and nonmothers alike. She joined a women’s writing workshop, where she connected with women who read each other's work, provided feedback and talked about life. A lot of them were mothers and teachers too, she said.  

“I feel like a lot of people are like, this feels like we feel like we’re alone, or that I’m the only one that struggles with parenting,” Zemke said, reflecting on sleepless nights, learning to breastfeed and figuring out how to discipline.  

No one has figured it out, she said. Asking for help can make a difference.  

Zemke said having someone to bounce ideas off of is helpful. For her, that is her husband Josh. When she was pregnant with Elijah, Zemke said she read all the parenting books she could find.  

But figuring out what works for you and your kids is the most important thing, she said. She cited her faith as playing a large role in both parenting and writing. 

“Parenting is one of the hardest things people will do, but with God’s help and people around you it can be a reward and a great journey,” she said.  

The novel is available on Amazon. For more information, visit sszemke.blogspot.com. 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].