Posts Tagged: parenting

Hands Free Mama: An Editor’s Review

Posted by Christi McGuire

Three words are going to change, shape, and define 2014.

HANDS FREE MAMA

If you don’t already know and love Rachel Macy Stafford (“Hands Free Mama”), you most definitely will this year.

Literary agent Steve Laube predicted that in 2014 “There will be at least one surprise breakout Christian book.” [To read the entire article of 2014 publishing predictions, click here: http://www.authormedia.com/2014-publishing-predictions.]

Friends, this is that book.    

HFM

Rachel started blogging about her daily struggles and her desire to live a less distracted life. Her blog, Hands Free Mama, boasts 1 million hits a month, and her Facebook page, The Hands Free Revolution, has over 100,000 fans and friends. Her much anticipated debut book, Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down the Phone Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters, was released on January 7 by Zondervan.

Her endorsers include well-known names such as Glennon Doyle Melton, author of the New York Times bestseller Carry On, Warrior, and founder of Momastery.com, and Arianna Huffington, chair, president, and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group and author of thirteen books.

Rachel is a featured columnist for the Huffington Post and is leading a six-week workshop for HuffPost Parents readers. [Check it out here: “Stress-Less Parenting Workshop.”] 

I could go on and on, listing Rachel’s credentials and the rave reviews and overwhelming accolades she’s received for Hands Free Mama, but I want to tell a slightly different tale from my perspective of editor and friend.

In August 2011, I received an email one Saturday from a stranger who had happened upon my website. She wrote:

Hello there! It has been a pleasure to “get to know” you through your blog and through your comments on my blog! I so appreciate all of your encouraging and positive words. I truly feel your entrance into my life has been divine intervention. I think you might be able to give me some advice/wisdom that I need to make a decision.

Indeed, our blossoming relationship—both personally and professionally—did seem like a divine intervention! We started “chatting” on email, getting to know each other. Ironically, she used to live in my small town, just a few miles from me. Her two girls even took swim lessons from the same instructor as my two girls. I began to feel a kindred connection with this woman I had never met but who I could tell had talent, passion, and authenticity, and I knew—just knew in my heart—that she was destined for greatness.

Rachel and I continued working together over the next year-and-a-half. Editing for her was divine. I’d get lost in her words, forgetting that I was supposed to be proofing and critiquing and finding mistakes (which were always few). Typically, writers are talented for their thoughts and words, not necessarily for their correct grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, verb usage, etc. However, Rachel is gifted in all things writing—sentence structure, grammar, showing not telling, unique voice, flow, attention-grabbing titles and headlines (I could go on and on …).

Rachel is a dream client.

Then we actually got to meet in person. Ahh! We were both excited! But I was worried—would she be the person I had gotten to know online?

Indeed, she was.

It instantly felt like we were sorority sisters, kindred spirits, good friends.

Others often ask me: “What is Hands Free Mama like?”

One word: AUTHENTIC.

Rachel is authentic, sincere, humble, kind—REAL.

These characteristics are why she’s so loved by her fans.

Rachel’s authenticity has led to the phenomenon of being Hands Free—of showing millions how to open their hearts and hands to each God-given moment.

Leave the laundry until tomorrow. Learn to dance with your kids in the rain. Love each moment your kids call your name. Live in the present. Join Rachel and live authenticity.

*Hands Free Mama is now on the New York Times Best-Sellers List. Her book is available at HandsFreeMama.com or on Amazon.   

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Win a copy of Hands Free Mama personally signed by the author, Rachel Macy Stafford!

To enter to win:

1. Share this on Twitter: “Win a signed copy of HANDS FREE MAMA via @ChristiMcGuire: http://wp.me/p3cLRA-14Y”

2. Like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChristiMcGuireWriter. Share this post http://wp.me/p3cLRA-14Y on your FB page and tag me.

3. Follow me on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/christimcguire. Go to my pin at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/4151824630580300/and pin it on your boards!

A winner will be chosen at random and notified on February 10, 2014.

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If you have publishing dreams like Rachel, I can help you through the process.
Visit my Services page for more info on my editing and consulting services. 

©2011- 2013 Christi McGuire. All Rights Reserved.

Favorite Children’s Books

Posted by Christi McGuire

My oldest daughter came home from kindergarten last week very excited because she had homework for the first time! She has been anxious to begin reading and is thrilled to be learning “sight words.” At 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, she was begging to do her homework and to read her first book!

Research shows that a love for learning is linked to a love for reading books. We started reading books to both girls when they were tiny babies, and so their love for books began early. How cute it was to see them as 2-year-olds turning pages of a book and “reading” (babbling) the words to themselves. Then our oldest would start “reading” the books she had memorized to her little sister.

Books have always been important in our family, and time spent together reading them has been a blessing. The following are the McGuire family’s top five picture and board books.

“10 Little Rubber Ducks” by Eric Carle was inspired by a true story of ducks at sea. Carle’s 10 rubber ducks fall overboard and meet creatures along their journey to shores all around the world. I’ve had to tape and re-tape almost every page, as this book was well-worn. Finally, I bought another copy and still have had to tape its pages! This has definitely been the girls’ #1 most-loved book.

 

“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown is a classic because children love the story and can recite almost every word. Little Rabbit saying “goodnight” to everything taught us to say “good-bye” to everything, making transitions easier when the girls were toddlers.

 

“Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” by Eileen Christelow is wonderful because the kids already know the song and love to pretend to be the jumpy monkeys. (Although this mommy doesn’t have to pretend to be the exhausted mama monkey—I definitely am!)

“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney is one that melts my heart every time I read it. The beautiful illustrations and heart-warming story perfectly sum up a parent’s love: “all the way to the moon—and back!”

 

“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin, Jr. was Eric Carle’s first illustrator credit, sending him on his journey as writer and illustrator for many classic picture books. The rhyme and repetition in this book is loved by kids and can be repeated over and over (and over and over).

 

 As we transition out of the picture and board books, I am excited to share some of my most favorite children’s books with my girls!

 

“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak brings to life a child’s imagination and wonder. The illustrations are beautiful, and I love the message that even when kids are naughty, parents still love them!

“James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl was my favorite Dahl book, but I loved them all! When James climbs inside the peach and it rolls away, I wanted to be on the journey with him and Grasshopper, Earthworm, Miss Spider, and Centipede. Dahl knew how to bring a child’s imagination to life!

“The Ramona Series” by Beverly Cleary is a true child’s classic. I love, love, love all things Beverly Cleary! I adore Ramona’s spunky character, could identify with the older sister Beezus, and wanted to live in the world of the Quimbys. Beverly Cleary is a hero in my book!

“The Chronicles of Narnia Series” by C.S. Lewis bring a magical experience with each book. You become entranced with each fabulous character and learn how good can always triumph over evil. Lewis wrote these books over 50 years ago, and children today are still falling in love with the four kids who stumble upon the wardrobe.

“Little House in the Big Woods” by Laura Ingalls Wilder is my absolute most favorite book of all time! I have read this book and the rest in the “Little House” series many, many times. I wanted to live in a log cabin, have a corn cob as my doll, help Ma make everything from scratch, and dance to the fiddle music of Pa. Probably the best history lesson I ever received, as well as a lesson in family togetherness, was found in this book!

Share with us the books that are your family’s favorite!

 

 

Guest Blogger: Magazine Editor Jodi Skulley

Posted by Christi McGuire

Today is a very special but bittersweet day! Jodi Skulley, content editor for ParentLife Magazine at LifeWay Christian Resources is hanging up her full-time editing cap and entering into the world of freelance. The best part for Jodi is that she gets to stay home with her adorable three-year-old, Jack!

Jodi with son Jack!

Jodi and I met years ago when I was editor of ParentLife, and she joined the team as copy editor. We were instantly friends and made a great editing team! (In our humble opinion!) Jodi is highly competent as an editor, and more importantly, she is an amazing friend. There will be many tearful goodbyes in the publishing department at LifeWay as Jodi takes on a new chapter in her life. To honor her on this special day and to share the pearls of wisdom she has gained along the journey in the magazine world, Witty Words is dedicating today’s blog to Jodi. Enjoy this Q&A with Jodi Skulley, editor extraordinaire!

What drew you into the world of publishing?

Working in publishing was never a dream of mine. In fact, English and grammar were two of my least favorite subjects in school. However, my dad works in publishing (at LifeWay Christian Resources) and has for many years. During my high school and college years, he often told me that I would make a good editor. I laughed at him … thinking that would never happen! Not long after graduating from college, a job at LifeWay opened up. It was an entry-level position as a department assistant, but I knew in the long run LifeWay would be a great place to work, so I applied and got the job. I hadn’t been at LifeWay long when a couple of copy editor positions opened up on two different monthly magazine teams. I had seen enough of the publishing world by that time to be somewhat intrigued. My dad gave me the push I needed to apply for both of the positions … and I landed the position as copy editor of ParentLife, a Christian magazine for parents with children 12 and under.

It’s funny looking back now, because I can see how God orchestrated all of the details to put me in the right place at the right time! I’m so glad that God knows what’s best for us … even when we can’t see it. His timing and plans are perfect!

What is the first thing you learned on the job as an editor?

I had an amazing teacher! Christi taught me everything I know! I think the first major thing I learned as copy editor of ParentLife was that editing is all about attention to detail. It is my job to pay attention to every tiny detail and question everything in order to make the finished product as correct and clean as possible for the reader. The funny thing is … I’m terrible with details at home. (Just ask my husband who knows I’m the most unobservant person in the world!) But for some reason, focusing on the details comes naturally to me when editing!

What do you look for in new writers?

I love discovering new, talented writers! I look for writers who are in touch with the real day-to-day life of parents and therefore they pitch practical, creative, and appropriate ideas. I also like to find writers who have a laid-back tone and style that parents can relate to. It’s also nice if they are organized, quick, cool under pressure, and on time!

What is the best thing and the worst thing freelance writers can do when sending in a submission?

The best thing a freelance writer can do is to send an organized, short, but detailed query. Get straight to the facts. Here’s what I like to see in a query:

  • Your name and a brief description of why you are qualified to write for ParentLife
  • Your address, phone number, and e-mail address (It helps speed up the contracting process to have this information.)
  • A proposed or estimated word count
  • A proposed title
  • A hook to draw the reader in
  • A brief summary (or even an outline) of what the article will cover

Every editor is different and looks for different things. But these are the important things that I look for.

The worst thing a freelance writer can do is to send a completely written article that is over 1200 words long and that doesn’t fit the audience of the magazine. You would be surprised how many writers (and publicists) send things that relate only to parents of teenagers or topics that aren’t appropriate for a Christian magazine. ParentLife is a Christian magazine for parents with children 12 and under. It’s an easy mistake to make, but the thing to remember is to do your research. Know the audience you are writing for and don’t waste the editor’s time … because time is something most editors don’t have much of. 

What are the top 3 tips you have learned in the realm of parenting while on staff at ParentLife?

  • Every child is different and learns and develops at his own pace. Just because the books say he should walk or talk at a certain age, doesn’t mean he will or that something’s wrong if he doesn’t!
  • Every family is different. For example, a discipline method that may work for one family, doesn’t work for another. Private school may be the best choice for your family, but homeschooling is the best choice for the family next door. Every family has to seek God’s unique will for their family. 
  • Spiritual development starts on Day 1. You don’t have to wait until your child can communicate with you or understand difficult concepts. Start early to build a foundation of love, trust, and faith!

Any final thoughts?

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about my job is having friendships develop over time with writers! I think one of the best ways to succeed as a freelance writer is to somehow make a memorable connection with your editor. If you can win her friendship (without forcing it), you will see a lot of assignments come your way without even having to pitch ideas … especially if your writing is good. The best place to be is in a trusted pool of writers for a product. It’s hard to work to get there, but it pays off! A handful of writers are now even my friends on Facebook … and I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to stay in touch with them even after I am no longer an editor!

Thanks, Jodi!
We wish you the best on your new adventure!

 

ParentLife Magazine

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