Here are a few questions and tips:
- are you getting fee waivers on the apps? if so apply to as many as you want/can so you have options
- You can list articles as EC or work freelance writer
- you can put a link to your best article in the more information part of the Common app
Also make sure you put all the household work you do on your application I think additional info will be your friend as to explaining articles and lack of awards due to time spent doing X