Opinion/Musings

Jazz In The Cow Pasture

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

I couldn’t resist sharing this from the Cow Pasture Chronicles.  So many wonderful things seem to happen in the cow pasture!

I have no idea what prompted these musicians to play to this particular crowd, but I’ve never seen a more attentive and appreciative group.

This summer has been a daunting one for me as I’m sure it has been for many others across this great nation, but this video brought a huge smile to my face. I hope it will to yours, as well.

If the dreaded writer’s block is weighing you down, or you’ve simply run out of steam in these hundred-degree temperature days, take a break.

Give your writing a rest and your mind a chance to clear out the cobwebs. Focus on the important things, even if for a day.

Sometimes, all you need to rejuvenate your soul is to kick back, relax, and turn on the music.  Henry Wadsworth said it best, and even the cows agree.  ENJOY!

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” ― Henry Wadsworth …

HELP! New Writers Needed

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

In case you’re wondering, I haven’t gone from being a writer to a movie critic. However, this past week makes me want to put out a call to writers everywhere. Hollywood is in desperate need of new writers!

My husband and I are movie buffs. The last several movies we attended, we came away stunned. Not only was the movie not as we expected, the previews were unbelievable. The last movie was terrible.

1- The Story line was confusing to say the least, and contradictory.

2- The Plot – pathetic. No tension, no surprises, other than the “I can’t believe we paid for this,” uttered from me and my husband.

3- The setting was completely unrealistic, as were the characters. Throwing in token characters from every minority group without rhyme or reason, when it certainly didn’t advance the plot, left me scratching my head.

4- The actors didn’t grow up in my generation – that was clear. I’m old or a prude, but boundaries have disappeared, or so it would seem. And, I have my doubts about the writer’s education. Most of the story line was riddled with  dialogue of four letter words without substance.

Now,  when we plop twenty-five dollars down for movie and popcorn, I would at least like a story  with a plot. A beginning, middle and end that makes sense. I’m not opposed to spicy language when  appropriately used, but every other word and gratitious sex in the middle of a restaurant with everyone, including the patrons seems over done.

 What happened to a good story? A good plot?  Where have all the good writers gone?

We need good writers. Writers that know how to tell a story. Stories that make sense, make us feel good, give hope and make us smile. The kind of stories that used to fill our libraries and book stores. We need good writers to elevate our stories, and yes, I dare say, our movies.

So, here’s my challenge to you. Write a good story. A story that others will want to pass on, sit down and read to their children or put on their bookshelf. Elevate your story above what Hollywood is writing. We’re much better than that. What do you think?

“If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood.”


BTW: I would pass on the movie Seeking a Friend for the End of the World!!

Are You a Writer?

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 7 Comments

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day, and took a moment to say, “Thank you” to our military. Without their sacrifices we may not enjoy the privilege to write so freely.

During my long holiday weekend someone asked me a two questions I thought worth sharing.

1.”Are you a writer?”, and
2. “What makes one a writer?”

Their position was clear. One trained to become a writer, completing an apprenticeship of sorts, and at some point down the road, proved their competency as a writer. I pressed, “How would competency be measured?” They were unable to define how.

“Is it after one publishes his/her first book?” I asked.
“What about articles and stories? How many must be published before one can call themselves a writer?”
“Must one make money or be employed in a regular job writing?”
“What about being the author of blogs? Does that count?”

This isn’t a new topic. If you goggle the question, you will discover any number of discussions and opinions on the subject matter. Even the dictionary and wikipedia  list more than one definition, from one who writes a particular text  to how one writes.

Don’t get me wrong, I agreed with some of arguments presented in our discussion. For example, I believe writing is a learned skill. Therefore, continued opportunities to improve one’s writing through classes, conferences, etc should be utilized by all writer’s.

For me personally, I  use a number of avenues to improve my writing. Critique groups where I seek honest and constructive feedback, classes, and subscriptions to writing resources, books and magazines. Everyday I  learn something new. Writer’s come in all shapes and sizes, some with the ability to move us from word one, while others must work harder.

I am not an aspiring writer, although I aspire to be a better writer, and to have my first novel published. I aspire to do many things in this life.

I am a writer because it is how I see the world. I believe words are powerful. They delight, sadden, provoke, and soothe us. They move the world, and influence people, and when one has the courage to put pen to paper, because they want or must share with others,  I call them by their name, Writer.

Shakespeare reminded us long ago the value of a name.

“What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would not smell as sweet.”

My name is Sheila and I am a writer. What is your name?

Online Legacy

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

This newbie published her first short story. This wasn’t my first publication. In 1989, working as a transplant coordinator for the American Red Cross, I published a professional article, “How Do I Ask?” in Nursing ’89.  It was on the serious and touchy topic of  tissue and organ donation.  (You can read the full article in my pages section).

I remember flipping through the pages of the January issue looking for my article and the excitement of seeing my words and name in print for the first time. The feeling was the same this week whenEvery Writer’s Resource featured my short story, The Rusted Swing Set.

As a writer, I’ve  gotten off to a late start. I wrote that first article some twenty-three years ago and  knew nothing about submitting articles or stories. I simply had a compelling story to tell. Naive in submission guidelines and formatting of manuscripts, without any hesitation or self-doubt about my abilities, I submitted the article. Perhaps, the reason they accepted my article was timing, the topic or my professional experience as an RN, in the field. I’d like to think my voice, as a writer, also came through, giving the topic a personal touch.

Today, getting a magazine or journal to publish your work is harder. You can’t take a shot in the dark as I did in 1989. Following the guidelines, honing in on your genre and understanding what editors want and expect is part of the equation, along with hard work.

I’ve learned a lot since 1989 about submitting and formatting manuscripts, but not enough by a long shot. My work may never reach the New York Times best seller list, but all I can do is try, improve were I can, and push the send button. Here’s a few things I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been writing.

  • Check your ego at the door or when you hit the send button.
  • Understand the rights you’re giving up once your work leaves your hands. If you’re unsure, ask.
  • Research the best place to submit. Zillions of opportunities for regular updates on contests and feeds from magazines seeking submissions are available. A great place to start would be the Writer’s Resource, Top 50 Literary Magazines.
  • Educate yourself. READ, READ, READ.
    Don’t take rejections personally. Learn from them.
    Keep on writing and submitting. Practice makes perfect.

Who knows what life holds in store for us. I won’t always get things right, I’m sure, but perhaps,  I’ll live long enough to leave a legacy of published works to make my children and grandchildren proud. I hope so.

The article I wrote twenty-three years ago is still being used as a resource,incorporated into training manuals all the way to California, cited by authors, and in, at least, one legal case. Imagine my surprise.

This week my short story hit the Internet highway. Who is to say what the next twenty-three years will bring, where my stories will be or who they may touch.Writing is a journey for this newbie. My final legacy is in God’s hands, but it’s comforting to realize, after all this time, my words were not forgotten. They touched people’s lives and long after I’m gone they’ll be there for someone to read. I think my kids will be proud.

Keep writing. Our words are our legacy.