Every now and then I hear a story in my head. The characters speak and I write. Many years ago, this was a work of fiction I began, but then real life issues got in the way. Enjoy this rare moment where my mind goes into storybook mode.
Dating Advice, Relationship Problems: Nothing More Than a Fantasy: A Work of Fiction by ...: “It wasn’t what she looked like,” explained Paul. “It was how she acted, the way she spoke. She was so honest and open about herself th...
You might only have one chance to make the right not write impression.
Showing posts with label my writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my writing. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Hubs -- Nicholl McGuire Samples
Sometimes businesses need a stronger presence on the Internet, so they want to get creative while increasing website traffic to their sites. I have found that traffic does increase when a business owner steps out of his or her comfort zone and entrusts others who like to create pages online to help them market their products and services.
So I presently put together pieces for my own businesses and help others market their products on places like Hub Pages. Below, you will find samples of my work on a variety of topics.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping Tips
Things to Do When You're Unemployed
How to Make a Child's Apartment Bedroom Feel More Spacious
Where to Upload Audio Online Music
So I presently put together pieces for my own businesses and help others market their products on places like Hub Pages. Below, you will find samples of my work on a variety of topics.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping Tips
Things to Do When You're Unemployed
How to Make a Child's Apartment Bedroom Feel More Spacious
Where to Upload Audio Online Music
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Be Careful What You Write...
After writing my books, "Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate" and "When Mothers Cry," I didn't expect that life would be any easier as a result. These books were meant to be a release of past burdens. I didn't anticipate major book sales and made no plans to get these books in local stores. Making money wasn't even on the "to do" list. What was important to me first and foremost was saving lives. "If one woman could walk away from an abusive relationship as a result then it was worth writing the 'Laboring to Love...' book," I thought; and if another could walk away from her children before she abused them, then "When Mothers Cry" was worth it too!
When you write your reality, your truth about any circumstance, it is a given that you will face more challenges. It seems as if you are tested by everyone you know. "You should know better, you wrote the book," an advisor preaches. "I read your book and wow, I didn't know you went through so much, what do you think about...?" the reader questions. You are expected to know more than the average person and most of all you have now put yourself in a position to help others whether you set out to do that or not.
People want answers to their problems. This is the main reason why people even bother to read anything that anyone writes. "Can you solve my problem? Can you ease my pain? Do you have any wisdom to help me through my trial?" People want to be encouraged. There are times when I read my own work seeking a bit of information to help me deal with a dilemma. I admit that sometimes I forget what I write. It helps to go back and reflect.
At times, as a writer, you will regret some things you have said or wish you said more. I can't think of anything in particular that I regret writing, but I can remember how some of my articles made people react negatively and then I wished that they never read them; notice I didn't say I wished I never wrote them. No matter what my good intentions were in writing a piece, people will not always react positively. However, there were also those who agreed with my points in some of the same controversial work as well. If one left a positive comment, then in my mind, the rest of the folks didn't matter.
I advise any writer, like I would any speaker, to be careful what you write. If you can't say it in person, don't write it! I have watched interviews where people backed down from what they have said and I wanted to just throw a shoe at the TV. "Take a stand! Don't back down! You know you said it, so stick with it!" There will be those times when someone may push you to speak your truth even when you aren't quite ready, but rather than cave into the pressure, carefully consider everything first. I have had to do that. How will what I write impact my future? Is it necessary to reveal secrets? Should I talk about everything about a situation or just the revelant points?
It wasn't easy putting my first book together, because I had to look back. I had to go back and read the poetry I wrote while the abuse was going on. This meant that everything that happened over that nine-month period in my life had to be relived. I was irritable and impatient at times while putting that book together. It wasn't easy putting my second book together either, because I had to be honest about how the people, places, things, and reactions around me affected my being a mother. Sometimes you step on toes when you think about how people and things make you feel, but like a cauldron of hearty soup needs meat and potatoes, what people did or said goes in the pot. You might have to deal with readers speaking negatively about your book. If you are more interested in keeping the peace amongst family and friends when you tell a personal story, then don't write a book. But, if it means more to you to pen your truth, then do it! However, keep in mind that you will need to be careful what you say. You also might lose someone from your inner circle in the process too.
Nicholl McGuire
When you write your reality, your truth about any circumstance, it is a given that you will face more challenges. It seems as if you are tested by everyone you know. "You should know better, you wrote the book," an advisor preaches. "I read your book and wow, I didn't know you went through so much, what do you think about...?" the reader questions. You are expected to know more than the average person and most of all you have now put yourself in a position to help others whether you set out to do that or not.
People want answers to their problems. This is the main reason why people even bother to read anything that anyone writes. "Can you solve my problem? Can you ease my pain? Do you have any wisdom to help me through my trial?" People want to be encouraged. There are times when I read my own work seeking a bit of information to help me deal with a dilemma. I admit that sometimes I forget what I write. It helps to go back and reflect.
At times, as a writer, you will regret some things you have said or wish you said more. I can't think of anything in particular that I regret writing, but I can remember how some of my articles made people react negatively and then I wished that they never read them; notice I didn't say I wished I never wrote them. No matter what my good intentions were in writing a piece, people will not always react positively. However, there were also those who agreed with my points in some of the same controversial work as well. If one left a positive comment, then in my mind, the rest of the folks didn't matter.
I advise any writer, like I would any speaker, to be careful what you write. If you can't say it in person, don't write it! I have watched interviews where people backed down from what they have said and I wanted to just throw a shoe at the TV. "Take a stand! Don't back down! You know you said it, so stick with it!" There will be those times when someone may push you to speak your truth even when you aren't quite ready, but rather than cave into the pressure, carefully consider everything first. I have had to do that. How will what I write impact my future? Is it necessary to reveal secrets? Should I talk about everything about a situation or just the revelant points?
It wasn't easy putting my first book together, because I had to look back. I had to go back and read the poetry I wrote while the abuse was going on. This meant that everything that happened over that nine-month period in my life had to be relived. I was irritable and impatient at times while putting that book together. It wasn't easy putting my second book together either, because I had to be honest about how the people, places, things, and reactions around me affected my being a mother. Sometimes you step on toes when you think about how people and things make you feel, but like a cauldron of hearty soup needs meat and potatoes, what people did or said goes in the pot. You might have to deal with readers speaking negatively about your book. If you are more interested in keeping the peace amongst family and friends when you tell a personal story, then don't write a book. But, if it means more to you to pen your truth, then do it! However, keep in mind that you will need to be careful what you say. You also might lose someone from your inner circle in the process too.
Nicholl McGuire
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Contemporary Poetry by Nicholl
I have been submitting poetry to contests and websites for years! I have found that at 30 plus years I have grown weary of them. I have received recognition in the past and performed before live audiences, but I am looking to do more with my poetry. What exactly? I don't know. Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate and Laboring to Love Myself have both quenched my thirst a little bit. I have provided the reader with excerpts of my life in the form of poetry and then challenged readers to think about their own lives.
I don't like anyone staring at my work for too long, analyzing and then coming up with some criticism about it. I think poetry is like abstract art, let it be! Must we comment on everything we see? Must we advise, teach or have meaning to everything? There are times I just want to write. I don't want to tell you nothing more than a story, a thought and nothing more. But logical thinkers...they want to analyze everything. "What did you mean when you said...what were you trying to convey..." Then sooner or later in the conversation they are trying to tell you how you felt and what you should have done with your creation. I know logical thinkers very well because almost half of my brain thinks that way. I say almost, because the creative side of my brain, every now and then, will drown out the voice who wants to question everything.
Stop by my "once in a blue moon I think about it" poetry site below:
My Poetry at PoetryPoem.com
I don't like anyone staring at my work for too long, analyzing and then coming up with some criticism about it. I think poetry is like abstract art, let it be! Must we comment on everything we see? Must we advise, teach or have meaning to everything? There are times I just want to write. I don't want to tell you nothing more than a story, a thought and nothing more. But logical thinkers...they want to analyze everything. "What did you mean when you said...what were you trying to convey..." Then sooner or later in the conversation they are trying to tell you how you felt and what you should have done with your creation. I know logical thinkers very well because almost half of my brain thinks that way. I say almost, because the creative side of my brain, every now and then, will drown out the voice who wants to question everything.
Stop by my "once in a blue moon I think about it" poetry site below:
My Poetry at PoetryPoem.com
Friday, April 24, 2009
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
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
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