These Are Our Balloons

Happy birthday Writer Dad! Today you’re one year old.

365 days ago Cindy and I made a decision that has since twisted the wind of our lives. I stepped online a tentative writer, but thanks in large part to a bustling comment section I was able to find my voice rather early. Those first few weeks were awkward for sure; I a Freshman trying to find the right table to sit at. I was fortunate enough to make a few friends early – one who has become a permanent fixture of my everyday life.

As filled with reward as this last year has been, it has also been the hardest of my life.

My son was born five years ago. He was then just as he is now; bright, beautiful and beguiling, though he did not yet possess the vocabulary to confirm our suspicions. Despite his amiable nature, he fought for his place with every fiber, handing us a year fraught with complications.

That year lingered, occupied by endless nights of crying as we nursed newborn to boy by forever attending to his bottomless need. Those early months were crowded with just enough struggle to point us toward a path that headed for a different horizon.

And here we are.

This last year lingered, occupied by endless days of writing as we we nursed newborn to name brand by forever attending to its bottomless need. Those early months were crowded with just enough reward to promise we were pointed toward the proper path and our horizon was sure.

In many ways the first year with our son prepared us for this last year of growth. We look at our boy now, a half decade taller, certain every drop of sweat was well spent. Infancy is difficult; attending to the endless needs of someone too little to say “I love you.” The beginnings of Writer Dad have been every bit as hard. I have poured 100% of myself into this site and every satellite project we hold in the hope that I will soon justify my family’s unfailing belief in me.

To celebrate Writer Dad’s first birthday, I would like to share a few of those things currently filling my dreams with the most helium. Please pick one you are not yet familiar with and enjoy. If you already have a favorite, please pass it forward to someone who might enjoy it just as much.

These are our balloons.

Collective Inkwell. The Inkwell is the online space shared between myself and David Wright (Blogger Dad), my online partner and constant collaborator. It is where we each share our ideas on writing and creativity as well as offer our services for copy, web design and branding. We have extraordinary plans for the Inkwell spread across the next several months and I cannot wait to see them to fruition. I am lucky to have a partner as talented, funny and creative as David. If we do even half the things we’ve discussed, it will be difficult to ever stop smiling.

Children Write the Future. In September, this site will soar. Right now the majority of words are passed behind the curtain. There is a thriving community within the email newsletter (monthly tips and writing prompts for children). Cindy and I have read some of the most wonderful pieces of writing from some truly individual voices. As the Inkwell is an online studio for Dave and myself, so is Children Write the Future for me and Cindy. For the teachers inside us, there is nothing on our plate near as rewarding.

Four Seasons. Four Seasons is a collection of twelves short stories, each taking place in a different month.  Each tale’s events are unique to their time, and should each one assemble toward something special. They are written minus an outline and I never know where the tale is going to turn from one month to the next. At the end of December, the twelve tales will be rewritten and joined together into a single book. As of last month, Dave has joined the project because, quite frankly, he makes my writing better.

Cindy Platt dotcom. This one isn’t really mine, but it fills my world with helium anyway. CindyPlatt.com is at a slow burn while my fair lady does the endless duty of taking care of our children seven days a week so I can stay upstairs like Dr. Frankenstein waiting to scream, “It’s ALIVE!” Come September, both our children will be at the same school for five days a week for the first time – all her brainstorms will shower.

Potty Training Power. The potty training system and attached blog are a branding product of the Inkwell. The blog offers tips, tricks and plenty of sound advice for potty training your child. The product is all kinds of awesome that includes a potty training ebook, potty training charts, a potty training quick tips companion ebook, an illustrated picture ebook called Number One and Two it! (written by me, drawn by Dave, and totally adorable) along with a companion video. All in addition to a couple of bonuses and full email support from Cindy and myself so we can help hold your hand through the potty training process. We’ve spent the last month polishing it to a shine, today is its official relaunch.

Available Darkness. I don’t have words for how cool this project is turning out. This debuted over at the Inkwell. Available Darkness is genre bending serialized fiction co-written by Dave and I with a new chapter unveiled each Friday. Behind the curtain, the story is nearing completion. We have big plans for the franchise, including ink later this year.

Ghostwriter Dad. My little spot on the web where I trade words for dollars with a smile on my face. I don’t get the byline, but I do get to play with language. Some of my business is SEO copy, but I also write love letters, wedding vows, fiction, speeches, and have even written a few (surprisingly satisfying) letters of complaint. Sometimes it is a joy to simply fade behind the copy. The homepage offers my services, but I write once or twice a week on the blog about the experience of being a ghostwriter. You can subscribe to the feed here.

One year back my best friend and I bolted our eyes and dared to dream. We no longer wished to live a life spent running around the track, craving a future of limitless sky instead of low ceiling. We have our sky and we have our helium. These are our balloons.

Writer Dad

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