Had to log in so I could give you my .02, aren't you lucky?
Hi there!! I am in the process of writng a book on having and raising twins/multiples. When I was pregnant there was little info written by people who had actually had multiples...it was all done by dr's, who had never really had any major experiance with multiples. What are the chances of being able to do this even though I have no credentials. My book would be like "girlfriends guide to pregnancy" for those who have read it. I found that most of the books on the market were useless except for the diet /nutrition part. So what do you think??? Is it doable??
Thanks for all your feedback and info
Steph
What do doctors know anyway? They change their thinking every couple of years. My first reaction is, go for it. Having read through the posts my reaction is the same. It sounds completely doable, and salable. Also, if you want/need to include information from the 'old days' feel free to contact me. My twins are 32, and we didn't know we were having twins until moments before the second one was born. Surprise, surprise! Also, I have a friend who's twins are 19. She not only didn't have them early, they went a week past their due date. I thought that was unheard of for twins.
I'm no professional either but it sounds like a great idea. Especially since there's no market for it yet. Vicki Iovinne (Girlfriends Guide To Pregnancy) is an attorney and a writer.
Thank you for naming that book. I've been trying to think of the name of it for a friend of mine. Now, finally, I can tell her what I'm referring to.
Then describe "your" book to the clerk, as if you are looking for that book now. See what is already out there. Order then, check them out from the library...whatever you must do and then after reading them, you should have a good idea of how to make your book stand out.
~Karen
This is an excellent idea.
ResearchGuy says "Go for it."
Interview doctors regarding any medical issues you address. As for the rest (which should be most of the book -- managing the demands of multiples, stress, scheduling, feeding, practical stuff like rassling multiple munchkins into the car for shopping and errands, sitters, etc., etc., etc.), you and others in your shoes are (in my humble opinion) far more qualified and far more interesting than any medical doctor.
Yep, he's right. IF, in the end after you've written it the only way you can get an editor or agent interested then you might consider asking a doctor to co-write it with you. Of course, then you'll have to split the proceeds with him. I have a book about writing by a man who wrote several diet books, back before every celebrity had a diet book out. I think his name was Solomon, but I don't remember and my books aren't accessible right now. Anyway, in the book he explained how he approached the doctors, and how they split the proceeds. It seems like the Doctor got something like 10% or so and his name on a book for doing very little. So, if you have to maybe you could do that.
Your own experience + extensive interviews + reading what you can find in quality magazines and journals (and again, + doctors regarding any medical issues as such) should be ample. Add good writing and you are there.
The missing element is platform. Involvement in groups and organizations, speaking, and writing articles can help build that.
Right, I don't see building the platform as being too difficult. Except, of course, for finding time to do it.
BTW, if you can write in a way that also draws in those simply curious about the experience, or who want to experience the I'm glad that is not ME sensation, so much the better. I would not be surprised if what you have to say might also be of interest to parents with kids who are closely spaced--a year or so apart, say, or maybe even closer on account of remarriages or other situations--but not twins, triplets, etc. You might want to keep that angle in mind, too.
This is also a good point. Although there doesn't have to be another marriage, it's probably more common, but sometimes mom's just have their kids closer together than they'd planned. There were 14 months between my husband and his little sister. My mother-in-law often comments on the difficulty of two babies at the same time. And she had 2 older children, so she knew the difference. Also, my younger brothers were born 11 months apart. I think RG is right and this is a good angle to add to your book, IF it fits with your idea.
Plus, he's right about the curious. Sometimes when my daughter (the mother of an active 18 month old, and sister of said twins) the first words out of her mouth are "how did you do this with two of these?"
