With a nod toward any baseball fans, Sophie Berghouse has the distinction of a literary double play in the Q2 Creative Nonfiction Essay contest. She was named a runner-up TWICE in the same contest, for
Weeding Your Garden and
World's BEST Special-Needs Parent Recipe. Although the essays are
very different in style and tone, they are similar in their portrayal of strong emotions – as well as being a little quirky.
Sophie was raised in the Midwest and spent the first three decades of her life there. She attended medical school, completed her residency and fellowship, and felt pleased her life was comfortably mapped out. Then life introduced a plot twist: a permanent move to Germany due to her husband's job. Just as she began to find a new rhythm within the different language and culture, Sophie faced another plot twist she never saw coming: her third child was born with severe disabilities. When Sophie grows up, she wants to write a novel about traveling Europe with a wheelchair and four kids in tow. For now, she will focus on short stories detailing her (mis)adventures in parenting, special needs, and most importantly, living. She hopes her experiences can support and encourage other women and mothers facing unexpected life changes.
She is not a big fan of socials but grudgingly accepts that they are here to stay. You can find her on Substack: @sophieberghouse, where, in her words, she has a mightily underwhelming number of followers.
WOW: After several years of WOW Writing contests, we have many writers who have won notice for more than one entry. But you are the first one I know of who received two runner-up places in the same contest. Congratulations! Just curious, how many pieces did you enter in the Q2 2026 Essay contest? And do you have an tips for people who want to enter a writing contest?
Sophie: That’s great! I didn’t know that. There was a phrase we used in pathology: “The eyes perceive what the mind sees.” And all I had noticed was that I wasn’t in the top three. I should have had gratitude about placing at all (there have been plenty of times that hasn’t happened). Thank you for the new perspective. I entered two pieces in that Q2 2026 Essay contest.
As for tips, it’s worthwhile to get an editor which is just another way of saying ‘experienced beta-reader’. Although saying 'editor' sounds like you have a million-dollar, multiple book deal with a NY publishing house, you can hire one at any level. It is particularly helpful if you didn't get an MFA or are otherwise new to the writing world. I found an editor here at WOW (shout out to Chelsey Clammer!)
WOW: You are new to the writing world. What does your family think about your transformation from doctor/parent to doctor/parent/writer?
Sophie: My husband is my biggest supporter. And the kids, I think they barely noticed. Except for my teenage daughter who asks me whether she can have my prize money—apparently there is a shade of eyeliner she doesn’t own yet.
WOW: Ah, the teenage search for the perfect eyeliner - there might be an essay in that. You have a very busy life. Do you find time to write daily?
Sophie: I wish. But I have a day job of parenting four children. I know it’s not part of the question,
but I’m going to steal the mic here for a quick PSA second: parenting is a career even if society considers it a side-gig. And because it doesn't get remunerated, it carries even less status. But I like to think of myself as the head of a small organization with feisty and rebellious employees, who—and this is important—cannot be fired. So the next time someone asks what I do, I am going to reply “I’m a stay-at-home-CEO.” That should give it the appropriate weight. Ok, here’s the mic back.
WOW: So tell us a little about writing while parenting. Are there any advantages?
Sophie: The adventures and disasters I observe in our microcosm give me a lot of fodder for writing, so it’s a good symbiosis. And as my kids get older, I have more free gaps where I can sit down and get some thoughts on the page. But it's never a daily opportunity. On the other hand, I try to read daily—even if it’s just a quick essay. Depending on how widely one defines writing, then maybe I do feed my writing life daily.
WOW: What do you do when you aren't writing?
Sophie: Mostly, parenting in all its nuances. I have two teenagers and two grade-schoolers, one of
whom has severe cognitive and physical disabilities. They each have different needs and I have to meet each one where they are. I am slowly finding my way out of the daily survival that parenting young children entails and am now faced with metamorphosing into a new me. I am not quite sure who that is yet, but I know it will have something to do with writing.
WOW: Since your family is living in Germany was it difficult to find a writing community, especially as a newbie?
Sophie: You’re never far away if you have internet, I found. With the plethora of online classes, I
don’t feel disadvantaged for being abroad—maybe a few instances if online presence is necessary and it corresponds to 2 a.m. here. I did that once, and then I realized that I am way past college age where I could absorb getting up in the middle of the night with no cost. But now I just sign up for asynchronous classes or video classes—with a link so I can watch later.
WOW was recommended by a friend. I was tied into a different writing organization, but I felt their classes were prohibitively expensive. Sometimes I marvel about the universe, how pieces fall into place just when they are meant to. And WOW was exactly the community that I was looking for. I love the diversity of classes offered, the articles about timely writing subjects, and, of course, the contests. And no, I am not getting a kick-back for saying all of this. It’s genuine.
WOW: And we are genuinely happy that you found WOW. What is one of your writing challenges?
Sophie: Just one? (Laughs) The paralyzing doubts, the voices that whisper that no one cares about your writing, there are enough writers out there--you have nothing to add. And that was before you got a rejection from a lit mag. But luckily, I have learned that it happens to everyone--even experienced, known writers. I try to step back from the emotions and observe. And if I really feel down in the dumps, I grab a copy of any craft book (Anne Lammott's first chapter of Bird by Bird as an example) and that gives me back some motivation.
WOW: What’s up next for your writing life?
Sophie: I still want to write a memoir about parenting a child with disability. I feel that advocacy and community are crucial—sharing our story is my contribution. But I also want to write a story that is interesting to a broader readership. I still haven’t figured out how to do that yet. Until then, I will continue to find my voice and style by writing shorter essays.
WOW: Then we will continue to enjoy your writing, who knows, maybe next time you will be in the top three.
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