One Trick Mommy

One of the issues I've had with the whole "publishing the book" equation is that I'm caught in a cause.  It's a sticky situation because I am clearly passionate about Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).  Heck, I started a whole 501 c3 and have been part of a growing movement and even a leader in that movement of parents taking an advocacy role for their kids.  Yes, I have a cause, and the upside of that is that I have a platform, which is something that book publishers and agents want.

The downside is that I am not a cause onto myself and neither is Liam.  Before I became a mother (almost eight years ago) I was a published poet.  I worked hard on my craft.  I was also a technical writer for a decade and have a master's degree from a Journalism school at a respected University.  So, I'm not just some mom with a cause who decided to write a book.  Those kinds of parents have ghost writer or co-writers who are professionals.  I'm both a heart mom and a writer, but it's hard to get that across.

I'm not a whiner or a complainer. I have a legitimate problem, and my solution, (my dated poetry credits don't get me far because publishers and agents run fast from poets) is to work on establishing writing credits about non-cause topics.  In that vein I've been up late writing essays and working on projects to submit to literary journals.  It's more work, but I've never been one to shy away from hard work, but it's an attempt to win instead of whine. 

Being more than a one-trick mommy with one cause means building my credibility while maintaining my platform.  I'm still working hard, but the book is in limbo while I build.  Keep visiting the blog and commenting!  I need the moral support and encouragement.  Yesterday was my birthday, and I am starting a new year of life and hope.  Liam turns eight on Thursday, so this is a time of reflection and a time of great joy to look forward to many possibilities for our whole family.