What would you have to change to make solo motherhood possible? For novelist Tory Henwood Hoen, the answer meant reimagining the structure of her life. She left New York City for Vermont, moved in with her mom during pregnancy, and built a rhythm that allowed her to pursue both her dream of motherhood and her passion for writing. Through it all, she discovered that becoming a single mother by choice isn’t just about making one big decision, but rather about creating space for what truly matters.

In today’s conversation, Tory shares how she built a life that supports solo motherhood: from freezing her eggs at 36, doing IVF at 39, and getting pregnant with her first transfer, to writing her second novel while parenting. Her story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the path that looks like starting over is actually the one that leads you home to yourself.

In this episode on building a life that supports solo motherhood, we discuss:

• The emotional and practical steps that led Tory to pursue motherhood on her own;
• Moving from New York City to Vermont to prioritize family, finances, and creative space;
• Writing her second novel while parenting a newborn, and how motherhood sharpened her creative focus;
• The importance of community and connection in the SMBC journey;
• Redefining success and identity in midlife;
• Creating space for what matters most;
• And more.

More about Tory

Tory Henwood Hoen is a novelist based in Vermont, where she is a solo mother by choice to her toddler daughter. Her debut novel, THE ARC, was published in 2022, and her second novel, BEFORE I FORGET, comes out December 2, 2025. Before pursuing her dream of writing books, Tory worked as a magazine editor, a brand director, a copywriter, and a content consultant in New York City and Paris.

You can learn more about Tory and her work on her website or connect with her on Instagram (@toryhenwoodhoen).

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Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]