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I'm Jennifer McGuiggan, The Word Cellar's purveyor of fine writing and editing. (But most people just call me a freelance writer and editor.) I write nonfiction pieces for publications and work with clients on writing, editing, and coaching projects. I'm also working toward my MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

You can read more about my story or download my resume (.pdf) if you prefer a chronological rendering of my tale.

I also invite you to read The Stories I Tell (my blog). While you're there, do share some of your own.

If you need words written, edited, or enlivened, I'd be honored to help. Let's chat.

I envision The Word Cellar as a cozy, stone-walled chamber filled with racks and racks of words. We have nouns, verbs, adjectives, and even some adverbs. The prepositions and conjunctions sit next to glass jars of jaunty little pronouns. Perfectly turned phrases shimmer magically in the shadows, and whole sentences often appear on the walls. There's a nook just for punctuation, and another for grammar. (Some people don't like to venture into those areas, but I don't mind them one bit.) Some days you'll find me writing, and others you'll see me editing (my own work or maybe yours!). Stacks of books sit next to overstuffed chairs, beckoning you to delve into a good read. The whole scene is generously illuminated by white twinkle lights, so The Word Cellar is never dark, dank, or scary. This is a place where left brain meets right brain, where whimsy shakes hands with business, and communication is considered a sacred science and time-honored art.

I'm so glad you've joined me.

« The Road Less Traveled (leads to cows) *updated | Main | Not the Mama! »
Wednesday
20May2009

What are we waiting for?

DateWednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11:47PM

I don't hesitate to use the good china. Okay, I don't have "good china," but I do have good pottery. I love it, and I use it every day. I'm trying to make this the model for my everyday life.

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I buy pint of organic raspberries. They're like little red jewels, which is an overwrought phrase when it comes to raspberries. But what else can I say? These ruby fruits are my favorite, so I want to make them last. But berries are not meant for waiting. Ripe soon turns to ruin. Eat the juice-full berries. Eat them now, whole bowlfuls if you must.

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A recent Twitter exchange:

Me: What would happpen if I stopped putting my ideas up on a shelf, waiting for more time/confidence/resources? What would happpen?

Me: I'll tell you what would happen: THINGS WOULD START TO HAPPEN!

A friend: BIg FanDAMNtastic shit -- THAT's what would happen. There's something in the air Jenna, LEAP!

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I yell at my husband for things that aren't his fault because I'm stressed about things that aren't his fault. He says nothing. We ride in silence. I practice "I'm sorry" over and over in my head, thinking I'll say it any second now. The words don't come, and then, without me trying, they do. "I'm sorry." All these years and it's still so hard to say. When will I learn? What am I waiting for?

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I fill notebook pages with ideas for stories, articles, books, projects. What am I waiting for?

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Tonight I filled a little apple-green bowl with red-red raspberries. There was no waiting.

AuthorJennifer McGuiggan | Comment5 Comments |
tagged , , ,

Reader Comments (5)

this is beautiful ... when i get home i am going to eat the pint of red juicy raspberries i have sitting in my fridge and then i am going to continue to live :-)

xox

May 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterdaisies

i am now going to go BUY a pint of red raspberries and eat them all, and then I will pull some ideas from off the shelf and run with them, I will nitpick my husband over some stupid thing and remember to say I am sorry, and THEN, and then, I will come back over here and see what you have written...

May 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterLiz

I love this. I'm waiting for so many things too, been filling notebooks with projects and ideas for years. Maybe this is the year for a collective leap. Let's. :)

May 30, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSteph

Hi :-)

How's the no waiting going? What wonderfully beautiful things have you discovered? Immersed yourself in?

I splurged on a manicure/pedicure this week (made me think of us in Chinatown!).

I've declared this the "summer of pretty nails".

June 3, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterlisa

Hi Jennifer, popped over to say thanks again for your support and kindness, it means so much. I loved this post by the way, so much wisdom and truth in it, so stop waiting and jump girl - life is short. Take care, hugs Jen B xxx

June 5, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJen Ballantyne

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