I in-life graduated in August 2017 (technically May 7, 2017). These larger than life projects take time to finalize through final edits, reviews, graduation requirements, + polishing file tabs.
My on-record graduation date, May 7, 2017, means a lot because that was my due date for our son who is now a whopping two-and-a-half year old with muscles, a cheery smile, joyful positive attitude, and activity level that climbs, sorts, + explores all things anywhere.
After I graduated, we went on a brief respite vacation with our newly minted one-year-old. Then I built my new website, blog, + branding. I also worked with ProQuest to finalize my dissertation for publication in September 2017.
Since October 2017, I cued three creative writing + research projects about transition to motherhood. This past year I have written three creative writing projects on the topic of transition to motherhood, gardened with my boy, gone on various adventures to parks, gardens, lakes, trails, wetlands, rivers, + waterways, visited loved ones, celebrated holidays, 2nd birthdays, 13th wedding anniversary, + attended a funeral of a dear pastor to our family. We have also renovated a small park in our neighborhood with safety mulch, new perimeter boards, + concrete low-rising stairs, plus built furniture for our home. We enjoyed a vacation on the peninsula.
Recently, I have begun the slow + steady work of facilitating small groups of moms to support their transition to motherhood with the hopes that these seeds will grow to more group work + feedback as I write the topics for us to share our stories in a safe + life-giving space.
Next steps for writing likely involve the grueling editing and revision, + then choose a publisher. Self-publishing or a small house for traditional publishing will allow me the liberty that I want for creative expression, distribution, author rights for conversion to other formats, + so on digitized + updated from the paper towels, paper scraps, journals, voice dictation, email, Google docs, + other formats as I sometimes draft on-the-go behind an adorable head of toddler curls.
Through this next stage, I expect to converse with other writers, and build an email list. I have combined this already complex effort with a vision for a mompreneurship that supports what the books bring to light.
It has been a task in recent months, curiously since August 2018, to schedule writing time through sleep transitions, inclement weather (PNW #wildfire smokestorm), + adventures. I am beyond grateful for a infant-to-toddler who supported my efforts with steady naps for nearly all of this past year. Now, to the realities of sleep deprivation until we reset again, + sleep, please!
Stay tuned in 2019 for any updates here or on my social media about the writing projects + mompreneurship!
I appreciate your prayers, + contact me if you want to connect with a moms group, or to learn more about the development of these projects. Please also reach out if you're a health or community worker who supports new mothers.
Kindly,
Dr. Dena Michele Rosko
["Doc Mama" according to our boy!]