You May be Right

February 24, 2016August 28, 2017 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 19 Comments

When was the last time you walked away from a discussion, only to think of The Perfect Comeback hours later? Recreate the scene for us, and use your winning line.

Don’t you just hate that vague, empty feeling? You have all your thoughts together and your fighting gloves on (metaphorically speaking) and then nothing. It happens every time my husband, and I disagree.

Before we sit down to discuss the situation, I practice my lines and make notes of the last time we had the same discussion (you know the kind); I’m ready. Then he gets in the first word and my brain farts.

Yep, my mind goes blank, and all I can think is, I did not say that. I mean, where in the hell is the recorder when you need it?

For the life of me, I can never get the best of him. But, I have a secret weapon that never fails to calm the situation down.

I reply, “You may be right.”

He isn’t, but I’ve gotten in the last word. What else can he say?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.

Why I Write

July 27, 2015June 25, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 13 Comments

Chuck Wendig’s FLASH FICTION WRITING CHALLENGE: WHY I WRITE

Photo Courtesy of humintell.com

As long as I can remember, I loved putting words to paper, expanding on the great mysteries or the miseries of my young life. It was a way to get my point across without being shushed.

Introduction to the magic of words came early for me, as my mother was a voracious reader. She belonged to more than one book-of-the-month-club and even as young children, we were fortunate she passed the books to us, without censorship.

In between those many pages, I met a world of different people. Their words painted vivid pictures and gave breath to the hopes, fears, and dreams of a girl. In spite of her love of the written word, my mom repeatedly warned me, “Don’t ever put anything in writing; you don’t want others to see.” Perhaps mom’s voice was the words from her books.

It would come later as a young, naïve girl before I understood the damage others could do when words are misconstrued, distorted, taken out of context or endure the deep cut of betrayal. I learned the hard way and after that hid my words away.

I’m an average woman, professional in background, a mother, grandmother, wife, friend, and a writer. I write now because I have a voice, and I can.

I write for catharsis, a purging of past sins, regrets, hopes, and dreams.
I write to share what knowledge and experiences I’ve acquired with those I love, hopeful they’ll be spared a wrong turn or learn the joy of sunny days.
I write to voice my opinion, my values, the very things I believe make the world, and us better people.
I write not that, in the end, my singular voice matters more than others do, or will move mountains, but perhaps, it will become one of many and create a chorus of positive change.
I write to expand my imagination and free my demons; we all have them.
I write to bring pleasure and encourage others to stretch their word wings, tell stories, real or imagined.
I write to leave a legacy to those I leave behind. Egotistical perhaps, but I want to surprise them. “That was mom? Sheila? She did that?” I don’t want to be forgotten or remembered only in faded photos or as the name on a bronze marker.

I write because I believe words have power. The power to move people, change them and change the world. After years of writing by a stream in a cow pasture, hiding my words from the world, between the pages of a worn-down journal, I have found my voice, and so I write.

Consequences of Telling Single Stories Revealed

June 6, 2015October 5, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

A big thanks to Anne Greenawalt from WOW! Women on Writing for reminding us of the array of resources offered by TED, an educational, video resources for writers and for pointing us to a most moving video.

I must say The Danger of the Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was amazing, inspirational, thought-provoking, and a great way to start the day.

I hope you will take the time to watch and absorb the message so eloquently delivered. In the words of Ms.Ngozi Adichie,

“Stories matter; many stories matter.”

Let me know what you think. What has been your single story?

I Hope I Nudged Your world

February 27, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

This is In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Last Words.” (Cow Pasture Chronicles isn’t going anywhere) 🙂

I don’t know quite how to say this, but this is my last post. I toyed with the idea of just disappearing, knowing you would stop visiting, eventually. I imagined my fellow fence jumpers climbing back over the fence in search of greener pastures, and becoming a distant memory or even forgotten.

But, something stopped me. First of all, I have always believed words matter. The words we say, write, and share have great potential to touch those around us. They can mend fences, relationships, encourage, delight and sometimes hurt. But, how sad the world would be without words.

Secondly, I pray the words I’ve shared will be a legacy, of sorts, for those I leave behind. Perhaps, my grandchildren, or their children’s children will get to know me and be inspired. Maybe not, but a woman can hope.

It is with great sadness to know my journey is over, but what a journey it has been. I pray that somewhere along the way, I touched you, inspired you, or gave you a moment’s respite. I know being a part of this community of writers changed my world. So,thank you.