Ann Marie Dwyer: Writer's Portfolio

 

Latest Blog

on Nov 01, 11 at 04:05 PM

I am a writer.

Some days I feel like that statement is the beginning of a 12-step program. Other days, it is a proclamation of identity. And on rare occasions, it is an excuse.

12-steps

On the days when I have spent 16+ hours before my keyboard and my word count is measured in the tens of thousands, bleary-eyed I go to sleep knowing I have spent my time sharing through one of my gifts. 

Over the years, I have found the Internet quest for keyword relevance and search engine ranking has begun to overshadow why it is I really needed to write in the first place: To empty my brain of the concepts I knew could help others. After all, what good is anything if you are the only Tigger?

Identity

After I have read fifty pages of ...(searching for a polite word)... others' ideas of what writing is, I

More about Ann Marie

Currently, Ann Marie is busy homeschooling for her autistic little ones. She is just welcomed her first grandchild, Caden. (Seen here with Caden.)

Ann Marie spent too many years managing retail stores across America in some of the world's toughest markets.  The focus of her jobs was turning troubled stores back toward profit and personnel balance through quality control.

Retail followed an extended trip through the legal system as a degreed paralegal.  Louisiana is the only American state under Napoleonic law.  She knows the difference.  Her experience in family law and criminal law brought her to the Southern District appellate courts in cases involving child paternity and the death penalty. 

Growing up in a family business of earth moving, Ann Marie learned the principles of good business practice, ethics and finance long before her first degree: Accounting.  Knowing how to drive a bulldozer is just a plus.

In the meantime, Ann Marie has found time to be a parent.  Widow of Russell, Ann Marie is "Momma" to ten children.  She is also "Momma Bear" to many adults.  She answers questions about child rearing and discipline readily. 

Special needs children strike close to home for Ann Marie.  Three children are on the autism spectrum; one suffers hypothyroidism and is on HGH; one has had a kidney transplant and the youngest died of an intercranial bleed and other complications of severe prematurity.

Throughout everything, Ann Marie has been a writer and editor.  From ghost writing for newspapers; dabbling in poetry; editing fiction and educational novels; drafting and proofing legal documents; writing articles for magazines, corporations, newspapers and the Web; citizen journalism for the Web; writing her book Taming the Terrible Twos: A Parents' Survival Guide; to her most recent project of writing a new books on grieving the death of a newborn and being the surviving spouse of cancer, Ann Marie has written millions of words.

Overall, it is an interesting tale.  Read it in her own words in "Helium writer autobiographies".

Freelance opportunities are welcomed.

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Understanding how birth control pills work helps to demonstrate the complications of infertility issues once their use is discontinued. Many women are mistaken into thinking that the fertile month f...More>
  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

No known causes of placental abruption exist. By collecting information from obstetricians with patients, like this writer, who have had placental abruptions, statistics are compiled to determine ris...More>
  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Protecting your child from identity theft is even simpler than protecting yourself. With a few basic precautions, your child can be assured that at 18, a clean credit slate will await. 1. Do not h...More>
  Write NowWrite

Legal Information & Advice

Ann Marie's legal information originates in her work as a paralegal and extends to recent case law.

by Ann Marie Dwyer

What do New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix and Houston have in common? More pedestrian deaths than all other cities in the United States. Pedestrian deaths are on the decline. The Nationa...More>
  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Long before forensic experts look at crash evidence, a crash reconstruction team gathers evidence at the scene. The information they collect will effectively reconstruct the accident. The team is com...More>
  Write NowWrite

Yes

by Ann Marie Dwyer

When weighing the options of whether or not we would allow our son to receive human growth hormone (...More>
2 articles  Write NowDebate It

No

by Lisa H Warren

Unless there are reasons beyond a teen's just being shorter than most kids his age, HGH should not b...More>
4 articles  Write NowDebate It

Donate Blood

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Having been successful at going over my boss's head more than once, here are my top 10 most helpful tips: 1. Go to the boss first. This may go against your first instinct, but it is the only caree...More>
  Write NowWrite

Amateur Poet

Ann Marie openly admits she is an amateur.  Judge for yourself.

Lynching

Wishes

Whispers

Fulfillment

Survivors

Together

I Believe in You

Tomorrow Comes

  • No Recent News Available

Through the Looking Glass

Sometimes, the easiest way to portray the truth is to set it in assumed fiction.

by Ann Marie Dwyer

When midlife crisis strikes, men and women deal with it in many different ways. In the quest to hold on to their youth, they buy sporty cars, makeover from hair to wardrobe and/or have another baby. ...More>
  Write NowWrite

Following AnnMarieDwyer

Zone Manager

Helium member since Feb 22, 07
Education:
Louisiana State Univer...CLE credits
Number of Zones: 20

From Toddlers to Grandparents to Non-Profits, Zones span the spectrum. Check out my Blogs on my Writer's Portfolio, Ann Marie Talks Money & Ann Marie Goes Green.

Comments (1 to 10 of 39)

Ann Marie Dwyer
Feb 08, 11 at 03:07 AM
Thank you, Linda! I hope you enjoy your time here...and keep writing!
Linda L Kinyon
Jan 20, 11 at 06:49 AM
You are an inspiration to so many, myself included. Great zone and I love reading your articles! Blessings to you and yours,
Linda
Ann Marie Dwyer
Apr 20, 10 at 11:18 AM
You are so very kind, Belinda! All you need is a mustard seed of faith to do anything you set your mind to doing! Keep writing!
Belinda Simon
Apr 20, 10 at 10:46 AM
Wow! I checked out your three zones, including this one, you mentioned in your reply to my How-to guide post about the Tag Cloud. You are so talented and prolific. You write on such varied topics, you amaze me. Your children must really look up to you. You are an inspiration to what women can do.
Belinda Simon.
Ann Marie Dwyer
Apr 16, 10 at 05:55 PM
If you find something on this Zone helpful, please give it your thumbs up below! Thank you for visiting today, and come again soon!
Ann Marie Dwyer
Apr 16, 10 at 12:05 PM
Liv, my Shepherd takes care of me as I care for my charges. I hope your fellow caregivers are enjoying this foray into cancer/catastrophic diagnosis treatment. You will note, it continues to have a bent toward caring for the caregiver.
Olivia Bredbenner
Apr 08, 10 at 06:27 PM
Beautiful zone showing well who you are. Your talent is amazing and shines through in everything you do. Take good care of yourself too Momma Bear !!!. You are all in our prayers. :)
Ann Marie Dwyer
Apr 08, 10 at 04:57 PM
Conny, when I redesigned my Zone, I group certain subjects I cover broadly into blocks with links. Make it easy, pick the color you like best, first:)
Conny Manero
Apr 07, 10 at 05:07 AM
What an impressive zone. So much information, I hardly know what to read first. Very well done.
Ann Marie Dwyer
Apr 06, 10 at 08:42 PM
Thank you for your praise, but you all know me well enough to know I am doing what I vowed to do. God is not my co-pilot...I am the stewardess.

Each and every one of you at one time or another accepted some obviousness I pointed out as a compliment. I told you all the same thing: It is just the truth.

To my bird without a cage, gracefully accepted. Your kindness knows no bounds.

To my jewel, continue to shine. If I am lighting you, surely you shall magnify it onto everyone in your life.

OneWorldNet.com

Gas Prices Threaten Rural U.S. Town

Featured on Yahoo! News

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Writing came as naturally as did motherhood. From an age where memories first fuzz into concrete focus, I remember writing "books" and stories. Whether it was nonsense or research, I have always loved...More>
  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

The average electric stove will last 17 years, and a gas one, 19. If you are only cleaning every week, that is around 1,000 cleanings. Help your stove live a long, clean life with the following tips...More>
  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Women seek out friends in times of stress. Why do your best girlfriends seem to change and the friendships fall apart when your baby arrives? The tide turns Your child has more power over your rela...More>
  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

"Specificity is the rule." -Author unknown, but whose hand I would love to shake.Common misunderstandings come from saying one thing, but meaning something totally different from what the other person...More>
3 articles  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

The team who determines the goals for the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your special needs child is comprised of specialists, school administrators, teachers and parents. Learn who must be p...More>
  Write NowWrite

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Young siblings often fall prey to jealousy. For this, the parents are at fault. With ten children, jealousy has no place in our household. Bonding between siblings at a young age is necessary to co...More>
  Write NowWrite

Top Submitted Links

South Carolina

Live Conditions from Kershaw, SC USA

Error Accessing Weather = undefined method `+' for nil:NilClass
Was this Zone helpful?Zone Rating: 87
Managed by:
This is a privately edited Zone. Contributing editors are by invitation only.

CONNECT WITH US

Read
our blog
Helum for writers

Write and get published
Share with other writers
Polish your freelancing skills

Join our active writing community
Helium Content Source for Publishers

Quality articles from proven freelancers
Exclusive rights, fast turnaround
Brand engagement, business blogging -- our writers do it all

Get custom content today!

INFORMATION

Copyright © 2002-2012 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA