So this is why I must write. Oh, and I also need to do it because I dig it. I didn’t set out to become a writer in 1996 because I’m good at fixing cars. I wish. Instead, I am good at generating ideas and stringing sentences together. And I used to get paid for it, like up to $2.50 per word. That was before publishing companies fired their editors and slashed their freelancing budgets due to financial woes. That was also before people read blogs. Don’t get me wrong; I love Dooce, The HuffPo, The Bloggess and I Can Has Cheeseburger. The only problem is that it doesn’t cost anything to read them, so writers don’t get paid much—if anything—to write them. I love writing for CafeMom and Barista Kids, but those jobs don’t fund my Taco Bell addiction.

So after a several-month hiatus—I took some time off after having three kids and birthing three books in the last four years—I’m determined to get back in the saddle. I just finished a piece for Weight Watchers magazine, and I just sent a few pitches out to editors. Unlike riding my bike, though, hitting the keyboard again can be unfamiliar, a little rocky and slightly terrifying. Boo Boo Bunny can’t help me if rejection letters come my way and bruise my ego.

Yet, I am determined. I can do this, right? I’ve watched a lot of OWN lately, so I know a lot of random things for sure. Like this: I’m officially open for business again. I can write, teach, edit and basically do any kind of wordy work for hire. And I’m definitely going outside to dust off that orange bicycle. I should take it to a coffeeshop to write. After all, my MacBook fits in the basket.

So when the reviews started coming out, I got that antsy feeling. I became all sensitive and vulnerable and judgy. But, of course, I read every critique. I’m happy and relieved to report that two were good this week.

One was on the website Darkness to Light. The other was from True Crime Book Review. TC wrote, “It’s not your typical true crime; not even marketed as such–but considering Stacey’s story, I feel it’s more than appropriate to recommend to my fellow TC fans.”

There were also 19 customer reviews on Amazon here. Most of them were positive, offering kind words and virtual support for Stacey. My favorite line was by reviewer Jenna Glatzer: “This was one of the rare books that’s hooked me so deeply that I couldn’t wait to finish whatever I was doing so I could get back to reading it.”

It doesn’t get better than that.

Three of the Amazon comment were so-so, but I vow to be brave. We did our best, so I remind myself that there’s no need to envision the bathrobe. I can take–and learn from–whatever reviewers have to say. Bring it on.

(lowjumpingfrog/Flickr)

I met Stacey in 2002 when I wrote about her for Glamour magazine. She was still in prison then. When she was released in 2009, I was lucky that she still had my phone number and thought to call me. The rest was synergy.

I waited a few weeks for her to tell me what was on both of our minds: She wanted to write her book. Over the next two years, that’s exactly what we did. I interviewed her endlessly, and she patiently and emotionally answered many hard questions about her life. She held nothing back with one intention: She has a vision of ending the cycle of child abuse in America. She believes that if she shares her story, she can help others.

We’ve also created a non-profit organization and website called Healing Sisters to this end. If we talk about child abuse, we can bring the subject out of the darkness and into the light. If we communicate and educate ourselves, we can prevent tragic events from happening to our children. You can like us on Facebook here.

Listen to Stacey’s radio interview with Diane Rehm from NPR. She is scheduled to appear on CNN’s Piers Morgan tonight at 9 EST.

I’m proud–and again, honored–to be a part of this book project.

Ghosts of a Memoir, Publisher’s Weekly

Managing Christmas Chaos, American Baby

Increase Your Brainpower, All You

Weighing In: Special Report, Girls’ Life

CafeMoms Join Nicole Kidman to Stop Violence Against Women, CafeMom

Gym Confessions: Girl, You Stink, CafeMom

What are Stem Cells?, CafeMom

Uncover Your Sensual Side, Cosmopolitan

Do You Need a Vitamin? Find Out Here, Glamour

It’s Anything But Calm Before Prom, New York Daily News

A Tribute to Rocky and Maurice, Barista Kids

Montclair Board of Education: Final Budget, Barista Kids

The Worst Morning Sickness Ever, Barista Kids

Barista Kids has grown by leaps and bounds since it was created. We became partners with the successful town blog called Baristanet, and I was lucky to take on my own business partner, Georgette Gilmore. Most recently, we’ve expanded our website into other nearby towns.

We post five stories a day–news, advice, announcements, events and a bit of gossip–so our readers know exactly what’s going on in our neighborhoods. Working on Barista Kids has been a rewarding, exciting and growing adventure. I can’t wait to see where hyperlocal blogging takes us next.

On our blog, you can read about Stacey’s life as she recovers from years of sexual abuse. You can read other people’s personal stories of victory. You can see the power in sharing and supporting other people no matter where they are in their journeys.

We believe that every child, woman and man who suffers from sexual abuse shares a common bond, one of betrayal and suffering. By creating this community, we can survive–even thrive.

Is it too lofty of a goal to think we can change the course of sexual abuse in America? Can we do something to reduce its numbers? We hope so.

We believe if we communicate, we create. And we hope to create something amazing with Healing Sisters.

Kat’s come to New York City with a dream: to be a big fashion designer and to see her name on a label in Bloomingdale’s. When she was stuck Upstate, she imagined a city paved in Prada . . . but the reality wasn’t quite so fashionable. All she needed was a big move. There, she found friends to be made, boys to be flirted with, and amazements to be found. She only gets sidetracked when her hick boyfriend from home comes to the city to try to reclaim her. Will Kat finally find her place? Will she find the right people who have her back?