So who is Christi McGuire?
Sometimes, I don’t even know! I love the lyrics to the song “Little Miss” by Sugarland: “She’s so much more than she likes to talk about.” That pretty much sums it up. Women are complicated, and I’m no exception! (I’m sure my husband could expand upon that, but as queen of this blog, he won’t get a chance!) A lot of people ask me, “What does an editor do? What do you write about?” So . . . drum roll please . . . here is a post on my BIO:
Above all else, I love God, my husband, my two precious daughters, my family, and my friends. Outside of that, I am involved in a love affair. Yes . . . I am in love . . . with commas.
My “nerd status” started as child when I loved to read, read, read! Reading allowed me to escape from reality and be transported to the dreams and fantasies of my favorite characters who seemed to think and feel as I did as an awkward adolescent. (Who doesn’t remember reading Judy Blume as a child?) Everyone said I would be a teacher because I loved to read. They were right–for a brief moment.
God has a plan for everyone: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ ” declares the LORD, “ ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11). Luckily for me, He steered me down another path to my true destination: editing and writing. Out of the blue (a.k.a. God’s amazing will) I applied for a job at the publishing house, LifeWay Christian Resources after two years of teaching English to seventh graders. (One can only take 12-year-olds reading literature out loud for so long!) I was young, energetic, passionate, and probably the least qualified candidate. But I got the job—praise the Lord! Thanks to gracious co-workers, I learned A LOT that first year. I caught the “editing/writing” bug and couldn’t turn back. I had to edit commas! I had to correct those evil comma splices! I had to find better synonyms for boring, clique words!
In 2000 I started as the copy editor for HomeLife Magazine at LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, TN. Within a year, the company went through a re-organization, and I received the position I had hoped for as the copy editor for ParentLife Magazine. I moved to the position of editor of the monthly parenting magazine, while also contracting editing jobs for anything LifeWay needed, including: VBS, Sunday school curriculum, children’s monthly devotionals, and undated material.
Following a move to Florida, God expanded my dreams, and I began my freelance career as an editor and writer. I continued my contracts with LifeWay, as well as gained clients in the following industries: children’s book publishing, healthcare, automotive, insurance, marketing and advertising, service and hospitality, building and construction, manufacturing, and non-profits organizations. I have been blessed to have worked with published book writers, politicians, business owners, medical doctors, pastors, and celebrity actors.
Although I love to hide away in a quiet room with my laptop and my favorite white chocolate mocha from Starbucks, I do like to teach and speak at conferences. Local churches have booked me to speak at women’s events; and, along with a fabulous fellow writer (who I also hope will be a guest blogger soon) I’ve taught seminars for beginner writers about the “ins-and-outs” of the publishing industry.
Currently, I am a monthly contributor to iibloom.com, a website that connects guests to the Christian faith through everyday life. Also, you can often read one of my articles at the fabulous monthly magazine, ParentLife.
Most importantly, I am a proud mom of two beautiful, active, and ornery girls. In August 2011, you’ll hear weeping and moaning as my firstborn goes to kindergarten. (I’ll need LOTS of Starbucks white chocolate mochas then—please see my contact information to ship me as many as you can!) I am also blessed to be married to my absolute best friend in the whole world, Matt, who also happens to be the best daddy in the world, too! Gee, aren’t I one lucky chick?
