Mary Wagner's Blog
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May.04.2011
I can't say enough about writing for free, as long as you do it with passion and enthusiasm and joy!
I got my first break into freelance writing about twenty five years ago, when I was a young soccer mom with an infant and a toddler. I had been a newspaper reporter before starting to raise a...
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Apr.24.2011
I'm not ordinarily a "real fur" person, but about a year ago I ended up with a mink stole of ancient vintage from my aunt, who had died. I don't think it was originally hers to start with either. The stole never sold at the estate sale, and I eventually ended up taking it home with me,...
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1 comment
Apr.02.2011
I just signed the contract with iUniverse to produce my third collection of essays, whose title shall remain a state secret until the book is actually "live"! I'm really hoping to see this in print in time to have fun talking about it and selling it in Chicago at the Printers Row Lit...
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Mar.15.2011
There are two "spare" cats at my place right now, which would be two more than the usual limit of one. It's also what happens when your children go off to college and collect pets of their own that need babysitting over spring break. And when you're the only parent among several blended...
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2 comments
Mar.13.2011
Hey there, I just have some good news to share! My first essay collection, "Running with Stilettos: Living a Balanced Life in Dangerous Shoes" (2008, iUniverse) picked up a Gold "Mom's Choice Award" in the Inspirational/Motivational category of Adult Books. I think this brands...
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Feb.01.2011
We're in the middle of "Snowmageddon" here in the midwest, with about a foot and a half of snow predicted for my backyard by tomorrow, and wicked winds sculpting drifts all around my house. I've already hunkered down with a good supply of pet food, fixin's for hot chocolate, and a...
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Jan.27.2011
There is a marvelous place on the shore of Lake Michigan in Door County known as "The Clearing." It was founded by Chicago architect Jens Jensen in the early 1900s, as a place where artists of all sorts could leave the soot and bustle of the city behind and restore their souls amid the ...
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Jan.17.2011
I come not to bury tweets, but to praise them. Okay, my apologies to William Shakespeare! But while I often make great sport of the younger set for being addicted to smart phones, ruining Sesame Street's coherence, and seriously asking "now what's wrong with 'refudiate,'" I'm actually...
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Jan.10.2011
I'd like to sing the praises of standing up in front of people on occasion and reading what we've written out loud! I know, I used to say that I became a writer and a journalist because years ago I was much more comfortable with observing things from behind a keyboard than standing up and talking...
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Dec.29.2010
Last year I finally got smart when it came to making New Years resolutions. I scaled down the list, and made the measure of reckoning more ambiguous. I'm going to have exactly the same list this year. Why mess with success?
This ran counter to pretty much every precept I've been following, and...
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Dec.24.2010
For the first time in twenty five years--or more--I'm not getting the Christmas stockings down from their shelf in the closet and hanging them by the fireplace, "with care" or otherwise. I haven't had the time to walk into any stores lately to buy gadgets and candy to put in them. They'...
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Dec.15.2010
I've gotten a lot of great presents over the years. With four kids now ranging in age from nineteen to twenty-nine, I could probably string a paper chain made of gift wrap and ribbon and cellophane tape around the globe once or twice from unwrapping the Mother's Day presents, and birthday presents...
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Dec.11.2010
Hi there RedRoom, I'm writing this angling to become one of your RedRoom authors. I'm a self-published author of two award-winning essay collections, "Running with Stilettos: Living a Balanced Life in Dangerous Shoes" and "Heck on Heels: Still Balancing on Shoes, Love &...
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2 comments
Mary's writing is honest, which is the best thing I think writing can be. Her humor, sincerity and attention to detail make her a writer for anyone in need of a good story. Heartfelt and witty, her pieces move to the beat of a woman-who-knows marching in stilettos. Brilliant!
”
—Alyson Lyon, co-producer Chicago's "Essay Fiesta"
About Mary
After a successful run as a journalist and freelance writer, I switched gears and went to law school following a riding accident that put me in a body cast for several months. Well who knew the keyboard eventually would draw me back? Seems that while law is...
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Causes Mary Wagner Supports
Washington County, Wisconsin Human Society
Chix4aCause
Crohns and Colitis Foundation
Chicago Writers Association
Chicago...