One Year as a PolitiChick
When I told my best friend that I had been accepted as a new writer for PolitiChicks, he was happy for me, but asked if being called a Chick offended me because he knows some women don’t like the term. I had to think about it for a minute. While I love being a PolitiChick, the term ‘chick’ never really bothered me, and since never having been called one before, I didn’t mind it at all. I’ve been called a lot of things- plenty of nasty things, especially during my years of blogging, so the title of a PolitiChick Chick is an honor. Being a part of such an amazing group of women is an honor.
My 1st year Anniversary as a writer for PolitiChicks is this week, and it’s been a fast and furious year. People often ask me why I write what I write about, as my articles often reflect my mood, not just what news is going on. How do I ‘pick’ what I’m going to write about? 99% of the time, I write about things which have been a burden in my heart, such as Benghazi, for truth to come out, because families of 4 heroes are still waiting. Or I write about something that I believe has a lesson in it, which Americans seem to have forgotten, stories which history and Biblical principles are intertwined with present events. It’s true that to know the future, we have to pay attention to the past, and heed the words of those who came before us.
I spend days reading and reading news, things going on not only in our country, but in the Middle East, which has always been an interest to me because of my Biblical beliefs. Also because contrary to what many believe, what happens over there does have to do with what happens or could happen over here. I write about our military, because seeing the things going on which effect so many of our troops will also affect our country’s defense; and because I love our troops. I write about Veterans’ issues, even though I know others who are much more knowledgeable about the things which affect them are talking and doing more than I can. I often feel the burden to add my voice in hopes that someone will listen;
and because I love our Veterans.
So far, I’ve only written one series, which I’m sure Ann-Marie Murrell and our bosses are grateful that another set of 3000 plus word articles won’t be coming any time soon. That series however, was one tough one, and based on three years which I’d been researching. The research was easy. Getting all of it together and trying to form a coherent story wasn’t so easy, and I know there was still much more that could have been said. Again though, others who have been working and writing about many of the same topic have been saying and warning for years, mine is just one more voice hoping someone will listen.
I don’t wake up and say, “OK, this is what I’m going to write about today.” Often- too often, I want to write something, but either have no idea, or too many. Some days are easier than others, I’ll turn on my computer and an issue will jump out at me and I know that’s the one. Other times I have something in my head forming for a couple of weeks before I can put thoughts down into a story. I hope my ranges in topics haven’t been too distracting to my readers.
Very few things do I write, I write from personal experience, and I know that goes against the first basic rule writers learn, “Write about what you know”. Now, I’m not saying I don’t know anything, I know a little about a lot, and a lot about a little. What I do try to do is find the truth, or try and write in a way for others to discover the truth for themselves.
Our country is a rich and intermingled heritage, based on certain principles too many have forgotten, not been taught or ignored, and being from another country, it saddens me to see so many who have no idea of the rich heritage they were born into. So many times I try to involve wisdom of our Founders in quotes for many of my articles, or quotes from people who say it better in a few sentences than what I can in a few thousand words. Being an immigrant who came through a system in which politicians and media have conditioned people into thinking is broken, and a reason to ignore it- that infuriates me for the millions who work hard to come to the United States the legal way and who are productive newer citizens, who do love and swear an oath to uphold and protect our Constitution. We who come the legal way do pledge allegiance to our flag, our Law and our country and we know that the United States is the best country in the world before we even stepped foot here. I will always write about the United States in a way which honors the best of the best parts, and hope to help people regain a vision of what has made America great.
Over the past year, I’ve written 109 full-length articles and recently, 4 short commentaries promoting a feature article link. I have written about the Middle East/Wars 14 times, Military 18 times, America 12, Benghazi 10, Veterans 8, Islam 8, politics/government 8, politicians 6 and liberalism 6 times.
I’m not sure where my stories and articles will take my readers this next year, but it’s my hope that whatever I write, it will be informative, honest, hopefully inspire, teach a few things forgotten and help people to remember those who have put themselves in-between our enemies and us.
Thank you Ann-Marie Murrell for giving me a chance to be another voice, and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this excellent group of hard working and dedicated ladies. Thank you to my readers. Some of you I know and are friends from other sites, and many are new folks, but all of you add so much with your comments and thoughts, and I am grateful for many words of encouragement over the past year. I look forward to more.
Carolyn (duckie)
