Handy Journals for Work, Business & Play by Nicholl McGuire

If you noticed to the top left corner of this site is a great link to books I have recently created to help organize your thoughts when it comes to work, business and leisure. I came up with these handy creations, because I wanted my most important thoughts to be penned in a great professional looking hardbound book.

If you are like me and you enjoy being organized and making a good first impression then you just might consider these journals. My books are alot cheaper than what you would pay in office stores. Also, these journals have a little more detail than just lines of paper -- check them out! Click on the link to the top left corner of this page!

Dating & Domestic Violence Awareness

My first book Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate by Nicholl McGuire will be circulating in women's shelters in the Allegheny County area, Pittsburgh PA, colleges and other women's groups in the are. It is being given away for free to during October 2009 which is dating and domestic violence awareness.

The book is located at Amazon.com, Lulu.com, Border.com, Target.com and also over at http://LaboringtoLoveanAbusiveMate.blogspot.com where you can also find more information about all kinds of abuse.

I encourage you to get the book! Thanks!

Freelance Writer At Your Service! Nicholl McGuire

With over 20 years work experience and 15 years writing experience, Nicholl McGuire assists individuals and businesses with their online marketing goals by providing them with her writing services. She understands internet marketing, because she too has businesses that she promotes heavily. When you work with her, you are working with a team player! She has prided herself over the years on her dedication to get the job done! Spending many hours online, she writes articles and markets them on various websites and blogs. Some of the subject matter she writes about includes: relationships, parenting, business, products, and services. She has over 300 articles to date! She also has recorded audio as well, a soft, soothing voice, she provides helpful information for both the young and old. To hear her voice, visit http://www.associatedcontent.com/nichollmcguire. When she isn't online, she is offline penning her second book entitled, When Mothers Cry and organizing her family's history for a future book.

She is a talented young woman, attractive, and intelligent. She has been blessed spiritually and uses her gifts to better herself and others. Although, she is very dedicated to her faith, she doesn't allow it to jeopardize her relationship with others who may not agree with her beliefs. For she loves people, she appreciates life, and all she wants to do is "just get along" as Rodney King stated after being severely beaten by officers in Los Angeles County back in 1993. McGuire penned an article about the ordeal, her first major news article which was published in an Eastern Illinois University yearbook publication titled, The Warbler. Speaking of college, she has attended three: Eastern Il. University Charleston IL, Duquesne University Pittsburgh PA, and Point Park College (now University) Pittsburgh PA. She completed coursework in print journalism, speech communications, advertising, business writing, desktop publishing, and many others too numerous to list. She was also recognized by Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, received the National Communication Arts Award, and other special recognition certificates.

McGuire is also an experienced actress, acappella singer, and dancer. She has performed for dinner theater audiences in Cleveland, OH. She hopes to make a comeback to the performing arts world in the near future lending her talents to producers of commercials and sitcoms. McGuire is definitely an asset to your business and someone definitely worth knowing!

For more information about her writing services, send an email to: nickymcguire1@yahoo.com

Are Some Things Better Left Unsaid?

How do you know when you should keep some things to yourself without being a recluse and share other things without looking foolish? There is a fine line between the two when it comes to writing and so I will take this time to explain.

You see, when I write I have my boundaries I will not cross. If I know a person and he or she is in my inner circle I will tell a story using fictional names and in some cases change the situation a bit. I don't feel it is necessary to share specific details about the person I know since the story is all the reader is really after. As for the person who the story is about, they will feel naked, exposed, even insulted that I would actually share such details about their life. Of course he or she would, because they know who I am talking about. At first it seems like a shock, "how dare you put my business out in the street?" But in time it wears off.

I have been writing stories about people since the sixth grade. I will never forget the short stories I use to write about certain classmates and how I would change their names making a guessing game out of who the story was about. Back then, my classmates got a kick out of it. There were times that some people were offended even as young as we were (11, 12), but they got over it. Especially if it meant that a cute boy or girl liked them. It just meant that they would have to dress better, act better, etc. I was selective about the stories I told and not everything was meant to be said. Anyway, as an adult, I know what I won't discuss when it comes to certain subjects and even I have my limitations. For example, I will not discuss a topic I am not completely comfortable. I will avoid subject matter that is so revealing that it could possibly put someone in a mental ward, jail, break up a relationship, or destroy some other aspect of their life. I also won't talk about subjects I know nothing about unless I have specific information from experts to back up what I am saying.

I enjoy writing about parenting issues, relationships, and other topics related to lifestyle. But what I try to stay away from, unless someone specifically requests I write about it are the following: politics, racial topics outside my own unless I have a personal experience, and religions outside of Christianity. The way I see it there are plenty of people who are passionate enough about these subjects that they can write about them.

I personally believe that for every negative situation that has happened in my life, God has called me to share certain experiences that directly or indirectly affect me. I feel that I am called to help people who simply can't speak for themselves, aren't knowledgeable enough to write about issues that affect them, or just don't want to be bothered with the negative comments that come from writing. Oh I have had my share of negative, ignorant, downright bold statements, and even threats as a result of some of the things I have written about, especially having worked as an Editor in Chief of a college newspaper. I believe that reading audience is the worse! They don't spare your feelings about anything! But I have also had some very positive and life changing stories told to me due to subjects I write about as well.

I have also noticed some things that readers who read my work need to be mindful of and that is when you are making comments about the things you read, some things are better left unsaid just like some subjects are better left not written about as I discussed earlier. The truth of the matter is an article cannot cover all sides, all people, all opinions, and all experiences, because if it did you would be reading a book not an article.

The quickest way to show your true ignorance, readers, about a subject is to say something like, "What about..." What about is usually followed by the other side of an issue that has nothing to do with the subject matter. For instance, if the article is about "Things Women Hate About Men," why would men comment that the article is so one-sided? Another concern some one brought to my attention is "Why do you talk about all the negative issues in your articles, what about the positives?" That's because most of my articles are the kind that solve problems. So why would I talk about how everything is wonderful and nice when that has nothing to do with the problem that the article is trying to solve. I usually provide advice in my articles so that would cover the "positive" spin to the article. Take for instance an article on "Why Husbands Should Be more Supportive of their Wives" this would be considered an editorial piece or possibly a self-help work because of the question "why" in the title. Immediately you know from reading this title that there will be many problems listed in the article and what men should do to solve those problems. If you are a man who isn't interested in problem solving in your own relationship, you would stay away from an article like this, because you know at some point it will offend you.

So is everything worth writing about? Sure. But should you write about everything? It depends. If the goal is to help, I find the more detail the better, if you have to protect some of the people involved but still feel the need to tell the story do so! However, anticipate the phone will ring or some one might visit just be prepared to defend your argument!


Nicholl McGuire
Writer

Home is Where The Heart Is: A Steeler Nation

After the Steelers won the Superbowl I couldn't help but feel a tad bit nostalgic for home. You see, I was born in the Steel City and in 2010 it will be 10 years since I lived in Pittsburgh! I couldn't believe how fast time has went by as I thought of the places I use to hang out! I miss walking the Smithfield Street Bridge, watching the fountain at Point State Park in the summer, and taking the city all in on top of Mount Washington. One day I hope to return, but not anytime soon, I am still living my Calfornia dream!

So congratulations to all, a raised glass to the team! from a Steeler country to a Steeler nation!

Forget about New Years Resolutions! How About New Years' Revelations

It's 2009! Another new year brings about change, for some good, for others bad. But whatever the case, it's all good. Because through change, people have a choice they can either learn from it or be beaten by it! I prefer to accept it and grow from whatever change that may come my way!

You see, I saw and learned alot in 2008. Some of which I never had to face and I learned who was my friend and who was my foe. For years, I thought that people would come through for me when I needed them most since I had a track record with some that said, "I can count on Nicky." But I was wrong and I am glad that change made me take off my rose-colored glasses and face reality.

So I am sharing a little bit of wisdom with you that I learned the hard way.

Being a good friend or relative, doesn't mean you have to share everything including your money and time. I thought that if I rearranged my schedule to accomodate folks that somehow it would keep them from talking about me. People are going to talk about you no matter what you do, so I have learned not to go above and beyond, do what you are most comfortable doing, plain and simple!

Don't allow others to dictate how you should behave. For example, if you don't have the money or time to return a favor, despite what others say, you can't do it. So be honest with yourself and others and just make a mental note that the person who anticipates that you will be able to do something for them will give you a hard time if you should ever need them for something. I usually pray for these people and God makes them my footstool.

Be encouraged even when those around you aren't. There will be those people who will tell you everything that is wrong with your life and will not say one thing that will make you feel encouraged. Don't rely on their comments to build you up; instead, look toward your faith, a stranger, read about how others make themselves happy, or seek out friendship with people who will help you see the positive within you.

These are just a few tips on the wisdom that 2008 brought me. For more articles by me related to relationships, family, health, and money, Click Here

Happy Holidays! My Online Shopping Experience

I'm glad you made it to this site. Just wanted to share my experience shopping online for Christmas presents.

First, I had a list in mind of what to get the children based on television shows they watched. You can't go wrong buying something they see on tv, because in their world it's like having their favorite character jump right off the television screen into their home!

The next thing I noticed during my internet surfing was the incentives that jumped out at me on the various websites. I found that the ones that say "select shipping" is a complete waste of time when you are on a limited budget. Most of the popular items you will have to pay shipping costs.

When I find a site I am interested in, usually the ones that I would shop offline because they tend to still beat out most of the competition, I head straight for the clearance items first. When you do this, you never know how much you will save! However, what I have noticed is that since it is getting closer to Christmas time, some of the sites are offering better incentives, but still not the best, like free shipping on all items. So since they may not offer free shipping on the items I buy, then I will go with sites that offer cheap shipping costs. You can actually put in your desired shipping cost in the serach engine to see what comes up; for instance put 97 cent shipping and most likely Walmart will come up. Also, consider buying from private sellers. They tend to have the best costs for a variety of reasons. Sometimes what they receive was a gift so they have nothing to lose from selling it, other times they are an inexperienced seller just looking to move product and make the sell, and then there are those who have been around along time and just know how to price the items perfectly since they have bought so many. So I enjoy buying from the seller who has a 95% or better rate, who has been on the Internet selling for more than a year, who has visible contact information, and who also states the specifics when it comes to shipping, returns, etc. You just can't go wrong with some of these private sellers so give them a chance. They usually have stores on sites like Amazon and Ebay, but also check out IOffer, Ubid, Craigslist, and Overstock. But be careful when you do buy from classified ads, get their contact information first and don't pay upfront unless you feel 100% comfortable with the transaction. If you feel somewhat uneasy, test them. Ask more questions, do more research, and don't give out any of your contact information until you know enough about them to file a complaint in case something should happen in the future.

Lastly, I avoid any site that doesn't have a phone number, email, street address, or any other contact information. I also scroll down the front of the home page to the bottom to see if the website has been updated to the current year, if not, I don't make a purchase with those lesser known sites. All information must be visible and up to date. You can always check on ripoffreport.com to see if anyone has filed a claim for fraudulent activity.

I hope you found this information useful, so go out there and start shopping!