A Memory of a Writer

It's funny how the sound of a typewriter can bring back such pleasant memories.

The days of writing short stories...oh what a feeling! 

Those were the simple days where I and the creative piece I tapped away at were one,

that is until I made a mistake.

Paper after paper I tossed aside, no time to stop and erase, re-type and erase again.

I hated when I was on a roll and had to stop (sigh). 

I thanked God when the word processor was invented.

African American View on You - Black Love, Life and Spirituality: Boggs Rural Life Center is Collecting Books Writte...

African American View on You - Black Love, Life and Spirituality: Boggs Rural Life Center is Collecting Books Writte...: Interested in assisting an organization stock their library shelves with your work or the books of other African American writers?  If so, B...

What You Need to Know About an Online Project...

If you build it, don't assume they will come.

What Else Can I Do on the Internet?

by Nicholl McGuire

15th Book Released - Face Your Foe on Confronting the Critics by Nicholl McGuire

It was long overdue to print a book that had begun about the same time I started Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic back in 2009 but released it in 2013 with the '09 copyright.  I had taken a pile of printed sheets and placed them in a manila folder, I had no passion or plans for a work that just might ruffle someone or a group's feathers again (yes my work does just that).  However, my God had other plans and it felt like out of the blue I became determined one day to work on that book.  On the other hand was Face Your Foe...(which had no subtitle at the time), it just wasn't ready--not in 2011, 2014, or even 2016, but then 2017 came along.

Over the years, I was still learning more about the greatest adversary to the Christian faith, Satan.  It wasn't time to face a foe when I was still gaining some understanding as to why I was still sparring with him about the work rather than trusting in my personal Savior to complete it. 

You see, God had set me on a path to do something a bit different with my creative nonfiction writing skills.  I had spent much time writing worldly content, but spiritual work was quite a different story--it was a challenge--the flesh wars against the spirit within when it objects to all things righteous and true especially the material that directly impacts you and those you love. 

The Holy Spirit was leading me into unfamiliar territory with my work and admittedly I was nervous and scared sometimes, because simply put, God is real, He speaks and walks with you when you sincerely believe in Him.  Yet, self-defeating thoughts and worldly distractions were keeping me away from both Christian books for a time, but I eventually prevailed, because I chose to shut out people, places and things that didn't know the least bit about writing, spirituality, God, faith, etc.  Why argue with ignorance or debate your experiences with unenlightened ones?

It took some time to make up in my mind that I would begin writing books of faith.  Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic was a smooth process when I finally sat down long enough to type it and stay focused on the work back in '09.  However, Face Your Foe was quite a different story since I had experienced the passing of my grandmother (May, 2015) while writing that book along with Tell Me Mother You're Sorry.  If you are a writer, I'm sure you can relate to the highs and lows of preparing an article, report, book, or some other work.  You are on a roll and then something occurs in or around you that slows you down. So Face Your Foe...was once again placed on the back-burner.

Now that Face Your Foe on Confronting the Critics has been released (June, 2017), I feel somewhat at peace, but I have other works that are sitting in the background of my mind and on paper that I am on the fence about.  They aren't spiritual books simply practical guides and a children's book.

In closing, I am quite grateful to my Creator for what has already been done through me to help others.  If there is anything I want people to know is that I have given up a lot and have fought spiritually and in-person about my writings.  I have lived through difficult circumstances so when I write work, it is from a true and tried place. 

The responses I have received over the years from readers, who have been in a variety of life circumstances, has been overwhelming at times, but I am glad that they have seen the light in my work and have been dedicated to make necessary changes.

I challenge anyone to be emotionally, physically and spiritually set free from the people, places and things that have kept you bound for years.  God didn't put us on this planet to be nothing more than slaves to children of darkness--walk in the light, your spiritual calling.  Pray about what burdens you and wait for God to answer.

Peace, love and joy
Nicholl

Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic by Nicholl McGuire (print edition)

Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic by Nicholl McGuire (Kindle edition - ebook)

Face Your Foe on Confronting the Critics by Nicholl McGuire (Smashwords - ebook)

Nicholl McGuire Media

Face Your Foe - Christian faith blog

Where Self-Published eBooks are Sold

Since publishing my first e-book and many others after that, I have accumulated a list of many sites that have accommodated me by making my e-books available to the public.  They also provide useful information and services. 

The following list might help someone who is interested in companies that host self-published authors' e-books on websites and apps.  These resources are professional, so by all means start clicking away!  While you're at it if you find this list helpful, please show support by purchasing a copy of my e-books as well as other self-published authors.  Thanks!

Nicholl McGuire

List of eBook and Book Sites

Txtr ebooks

Tolino e-book reading

Scribd

Overdrive

Odilo

Kobo

Inktera

Gardners

Flipkart (They also have a free app, see here.)

Barnes & Noble

Axis 360 (Baker & Taylor)

iTunes (Apple)

Amazon

Attention Virtual Assistants, Writers: Don't Cave into the "Free" in Freelance

Some people notice "free" in freelance and think that services are free.  Others, who work as freelancers, see FREEDOM.  You are now free to work with who or whatever you choose (with a fee of course) and you are your own boss.  You make the rules, set the prices, pay your taxes, and take breaks when you feel like it.  Yet, in my quest to grow my business, I realize that free or freedom doesn't work like it once did for us freelancers.  The demands of our money and time are greater--every software program costs and any special request from a client ends up costing more time than its worth.  When we use "free" in marketing, we are attracting a bunch of spoiled people who want something for nothing.

I am one who wants to help others, but not at the expense of having my family frown on me because once again I can't meet their requests because I am too busy doing something d*mn near close to free. 

Years ago, when I was a mere 19 years old I started "McGuire's Professional Typing Services" in Pittsburgh, PA.  Back then I was a college student who needed things like: books for class, rent and utility money, and extra cash to pay for credit card bills and an occasional outing.  I almost lost it when I heard even the mention of "free" or "discount" anything out of the mouths of people who already owned homes, had nice luxury vehicles, etc.  They weren't struggling not like a college student who ate much Ramen and other noodle products while steak was a rarity. 

I researched my prices and services back then and made them as reasonable as possible, but I still needed to eat.  I got business alright, but those business professionals and groups were looking for cheap labor.  They attempted to take advantage of the struggling college student and I never forgot.  I knew that about them back then and I didn't cave into the pressure of alternative pricing, petty criticisms to get prices lowered, and "the hook up."  I didn't care when I had one-hit wonder kind of customers, business is business. 

Freelancers everywhere, someone will pay you your worth--stay motivated!  Someone will fork over the money for your services.  I have seen it over and over again in my own business.  When one door closes, there are always more that open, never sell yourself short on anything! 

Now be mindful of the people who look for the following kind of discounts whether spoken aloud or not.  Usually they will be problems for you later or won't need your service again, so why offer much for free?  Time is money.

1)  The buy one, get one folks.
2)  The freebie, because I look like you--the homeboy or homegirl discount.
3) The Christian deal or others who have a similar faith. 
4) The family hook up.
5)  The "don't I know you" people who think that you will do something for them because you remind them of...plug in a celebrity name.  Don't fall for the flattery!
6)  The trade for trade--what you do is most likely more than what they will ever do for you.
7)  The promise to "tell others about you if..."  Keep waiting.
8)  The person who knows your relative or friend. SO?
9)  The I really don't want the service I just want to find out how you do what you do.
10)  The "I been in the industry a long time" but I don't want to pay those prices.  Then do it yourself.

Yeah, they all exist and you have to learn not to bend.  Offer something for free only if you get something beneficial out of it (like new customers) or someone did something nice for you (like mentioned your business/product on the radio, social media, etc.)

Put limits on your kindness, otherwise people take it for weakness. 

Nicholl McGuire

A Beginner's Guide to the World of Self-Publishing

Describe Yourself

You don't need a dating profile, social networking page or anything else in order to describe yourself in the way that I am about to with you.  Who are you, really?

At times we need to check in with ourselves, find out what is new about us, still the same, as well as open to exploring.  So I sat back and thought how might I explain who I am in one short paragraph.

"An avid writer, a conspiracy enthusiast with a nose for useful news...A wife and driven mother of four discerning boys.  An unashamed Christian who doesn't mind sharing life experiences and inspirational advice.  Always learning new things while taking one day at a time anticipating what God has in store."

Once you write a description about yourself, notice the areas where you are still true to who you are as well as those things that have since captured your interest, changed your life, etc.  You never know when you might be asked, "Describe yourself."  I notice that right now I am more spiritual than anything else.  I noticed that the first thing that comes to mind is what has always been with me since I could hold a pencil in my hand, writing.  I am evolving once again "learning" which simply means for me, more changes ahead with a supernatural influence.

So go ahead and try it, write your description, and then reflect on what you said about yourself.  You just might discover something about your future in between the lines of text.

Nicholl

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