You could have written this...but you didn't

I'm totally jealous of Rebecca Eckler.

I think it's best to just put that right out there at the beginning, instead of pretending that I'm not jealous or that it's irrelevant to any kind of a review I write about her latest book Toddlers Gone Wild.

Because a lot of us are jealous of Rebecca Eckler, aren't we? Show me a parenting blogger who's looking for readers, who aspires to make a living from their writing - or better yet achieve fame and fortune from their writing - who claims not to be jealous of Rebecca Eckler and I'll show you a bold-faced liar.

Okay? Let's move along.

Toddlers Gone Wild is Eckler's third book. She first became widely known - and in some circles widely vilified - as the National Post's "It girl" columnist, covering the single life in all its vapid, materialistic glory. Her first book, Knocked Up, detailed the accidental pregnancy which occurred on the night of her glittering engagement party and her second, Wiped, traced the rigors of parenting her newborn daughter Rowan.

Toddlers Gone Wild is subtitled Rants From a Mommy Brain and that's exactly what it is. It consists of several dozen humorous chapters one to four pages in length - blog posts really - on everything from coping with public meltdowns to the preschool birthday party circuit to "anti-children assholes."

If you are even a semi-regular reader of parenting blogs, you've read Toddlers Gone Wild, almost word for word, before. But that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable way to spend an evening or two.

There are a few posts, sorry chapters, that I wish the editor had sent back and said "This doesn't quite hit the mark" or "You're rambling on too much here." But for the most part this format is Eckler's forte and she's better at it than not all, but certainly most, parents writing similar prose about similar subject matter

Eckler has never shied away from admitting her self-absorption and she writes in a distinctive, heavily-repetitive style that seems self-depreciating at first glance but contains enough details about her hip, monied lifestyle to make it clear that she's not your typical, working mom. Eckler is no dummy: her readers - even the ones who claim to hate her, eat these details up.

And they are a big part of the reason why Rebecca Eckler irritates so many people and the reason she sells so many books. I don't think she is a brilliant writer and I don't think Toddlers Gone Wild is a brilliant book.

But I also don't think Eckler herself would claim that Toddlers Gone Wild achieves literary greatness. She knows her audience and I think she aimed for a quick, light, read that would elicit a few chuckles and a few smiles of recognition.

And that's exactly what she delivers.

And her detractors are wasting their time picking apart her writing ability and questioning why she has achieved the level of recognition she has.

The fact is, girlfriend has a work ethic - she's published three books in four years and her first adult novel is apparently imminent. She reportedly has deals to branch into children's picture books and young adult fiction and she contributes for several international magazines and newspapers. And she's also a single mom to a four-year-old.

Love her or hate her, Rebecca Eckler is a successful working writer and in Canada - hell, in any country - that is quite an achievement.

The fact that she sells as many books as she does proves there's an audience for what she delivers. And for that parenting bloggers like me, and maybe you, who aspire to greatness actually owe her a debt.

I have two copies of Toddlers Gone Wild to give away and in the spirit of celebrating all the kick-ass writing out there in the parenting blogopshere I'm asking you to leave a comment linking to the most fantastic, publishable post you've ever written. Or if you're modest, leave a link to someone else's post. I'll randomly pick two commenters to win next Sunday.

I'm not modest at all so I'll start off the fun: for the life of me I can't understand why this post I wrote a few months ago has yet to earn me worldwide acclaim.

Rebecca's agent...if you're out there...call me.

Comments

[Gabriella]

I just finished reading her book this afternoon, it was a good read for an afternoon, nothing heavy and had me laughing. I could relate to so many things.

[kittenpie]

You know, I'm actually very middle-of-the-road on her. I found her a sort of amusing early blog-reading fling, but without enough to keep me. I did start to find her self-absorption and her inclusion of those details you refer to annoying, but that's not enough to make me hate her, just to make me not want to read her that much any more. Essentially, enh, whatevs. If she's making it work for her, great.

But she's a single mom? Is that new? When I was last reading a couple of years ago, I thought she was not, but it's been a while.

[Erin]

If this doesn't cut the writing and truth musard then I got nothin! But I do believe this to be something:http://womaninawindow.blogspot.com/2008/05/her-storm.html

[Erin]

Um, musard=mustard, although that might still not illuminate anything. Off to read what you wrote. I haven't read Rebecca yet. I am jealous...

[chelle]

I have read her blog awhile back. Kudos to her for writing another book :) I am sure it would be an interesting read.

[Christina]

Sounds like a fun read!
This is one of my humorous posts
http://momology.blogspot.com/2008/04/bathroom-humor.html

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

This one seemed to touch a nerve with a few people.

http://jugglinglife.typepad.com/juggling_life/2008/05/the-beach-toddl.html

[erin]

I've always enjoyed Eckler for a fun read and I respect her honesty.

Kristen's writing and talent for story telling is beyond kick-ass. Here's one of my favourites.

http://betternow.typepad.com/better_now/2008/04/33.html

[Reluctant Housewife]

Hi Diva! Thanks for the chance to share.

Here's a post of mine that I like: http://adventuresofthereluctanthousewife.blogspot.com/2005/11/jungle-shortcut.html
It's about an adventure at the park with the kids... gone wrong.

I read Wiped. I found myself thinking, "Pfft! Suck it UP, sister." She whines a lot... She also has a nanny. But you're absolutely right, I enjoyed reading about it in the end. I was probably just jealous... I mean, she had a nanny, a fabulous life AND a book deal! Grrr... Lol.

[Chantal]

I have heard of Eckler, but never read any of her stuff. I never considered myself a writer but I do love writing my blog. I really enjoy writing humourous posts. This one was fun. http://chantal-blogaholic.blogspot.com/2008/04/weve-decided-not-to-have-another-baby.html

[tracey]

I have never even heard of her, but any book that is a light-hearted portrayal of parenting is my cup of tea.

And this post is as good as any of mine, I suppose....

http://tracey-justanothermommyblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/normal.html

[nomotherearth]

I didn't know she was single either...I'm one of the people who reads her stuff for the gliterrati lifestyle details. Sad, but true.

[kgirl]

Hey, I'm very easy to love (or hate). Where's my book deal?