On Words...by Katie McGuire
(October, 2001)
My writing habit probably began with a diary I received on the day of my first communion. I'd like, therefore, to believe it was divinely ordained that I should become a writer. Probably closer to the truth is that my parents are both writers and they cultivated the skill in me.
No less, I think almost everyone develops, to one degree or another, an intimate relationship with words. Using them is almost as important as breathing. The better you use them, to whatever end, the more successful you stand to be. If your words are memorable, if they are artful, or if they are funny--most importantly, any or all of these things at the right time--you can usually get what you want.
Now if that were the end of it, what a cynical world it would be! Of course, the complexity of human communication and our use of words is too much to address in a web site article. The writersbureau.net aims, however, to acknowledge that complexity. As you will see, along with showcasing our contributors professional strengths, we offer an opportunity for them to share different kinds of work than would normally be seen in their portfolios.
"Building your business" offers both freelance creatives and corporate business people management insight from long-time Community Press CEO and President Tom Noonan. While he spends his time running a business that is all about publishing newspapers, we don't often get to read his writing.
In "Books & Reviews," communications professional Cynthia Smith summarizes Harlon Dalton's book, "Racial Healing: Confronting the Fear between Blacks and Whites." Living in Cincinnati, it is a subject weighing heavy the minds of the people in our area. It's that much more vital to Cynthia, who is white and is currently, through adoption, raising two black children.
The "Poetry" and "Fiction" sections are purely creative outlets, and may sometimes be "Comics" or "Animation"--or who knows what? We're open. For future issues, we encourage anyone who wishes to, to submit their creative work--we'll give it sincere consideration.
I hope you enjoy the first issue of the writersbureau.net. Next month in this column I will talk about what makes words memorable and why almost every time I eat a sandwich I tell someone, "They say even the best subliminal ads never work!"
Copyright 2008
