Work Sample: Finished Hangtag

Here's the finished hangtag I mentioned in my previous post.

 

Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.

Writing Sample: Product Hangtag

This is a small piece of product writing I did for a company based here in Waco, Texas. The company plans to sell their products in the Wright Brothers National Museum.

In 1903 twelve seconds changed the course of humanity forever. Wilbur and Orville Wright's historic flight, while brief, was forged in the fires of time, patience, practice, and experimentation. The Wright brothers brought about a paradigm shift in world history, as human beings would no longer be tethered to the earth. The world would never be the same.

Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.

Writing Sample: Editorial Writing

I recently wrapped up a project for a client who wanted a detailed account of an incident that took place at a popular, nationwide discount store. In order to protect the identity of my client, the following excerpt has certain details omitted.

ROBINSON, TEXAS -- After falsely suspecting a customer of shoplifting, [omitted] has issued an informal apology, along with the offer of a $50 gift card, to a woman in Texas who was shopping at [omitted] near Waco when she was publicly approached by a [omitted] employee, demanding to see the contents of her purse. 

The apology, left via voice mail, followed an offer of the $50 gift card by [omitted] Vice President, [omitted]. The card, which was refused by the customer, was offered as a conciliatory settlement to [omitted] for the incident that took place on June 9, 2012.

Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.

Writing Sample: Author Interview

I've been associated Thinklings, a popular group blog, since its inception in 2003. The following is an interview I conducted with author J.C. Hallman for the Thinklings blog. 

During Christmas of 2003 I received an intriguing gift: a newly released book titled The Chess Artist: Genius, Obsession, and the World's Oldest Game by J.C. Hallman.

The book -- a travelogue about Hallman's chess-centric adventures with friend and chess master, Glenn Umstead -- exhilarated me. As a self-described chess fiend, I devoured the tome in five days (I'm a slow reader). For chess enthusiasts, The Chess Artist is not unlike crack cocaine for narcotics enthusiasts: completely addictive.

Hallman's recollections of traveling to Kalmykia, Russia, headquarters of the World Chess Federation, and interviewing the eccentric (and, some would say, felonious) president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, are at the heart of The Chess Artist. Ilyumzhinov's idea of chess as religion piqued Hallman's interest, and the book elaborates on that idea through the lens of Hallman and Umstead's intrepid -- and often hilarious -- escapades.

In 2006, Hallman published his second book, The Devil Is a Gentleman. While The Chess Artist takes an in-depth look at people who play chess religiously, The Devil Is a Gentleman examines those who practice certain fringe religions ... religiously.

After his second published volume, Hallman has established himself as an eminent chess historian and religious commentator. Since chess and religion (especially of the Christian flavor) are two popular topics around Thinklings, I thought I'd seek out Hallman for an interview. Thankfully, Hallman graciously consented:

You're a seasoned author now with two published books to your credit, and, undoubtedly, a growing fan base. (I even saw a guy once on the Internet Chess Club with a unique handle, something like: JCHallmanFan.) How has your life changed since the release of your first book, The Chess Artist, in 2003?  

Read the rest here.

Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.

Writing Sample: Product Description

I've written several product descriptions for Brazos Walking Sticks, the largest manufacturer of handcrafted, Made In USA walking sticks and canes. Here's a sample:

The Twisted Sweet Gum Walking Cane boasts our signature twist coupled with a rustic design that’s bound to please anyone in need of a quality, handcrafted walking companion.

Sweet gum, a distinctive hardwood with darkish bark and grain, offers both strength and flexibility -- two desirable traits for any walking cane. While not being a heavy wood, sweet gum offers the rugged durability of a hardwood without the density that can cause unnecessary strain on a user's wrist.

Each piece of sweet gum is carefully selected, cut, sanded, and finally sprayed with a protective clear coat lacquer, a necessary step that magnifies the wood's intrinsic beauty. The ash handle is prepared with equal care, and affixed to the sweet gum shaft with a timeless mortise and tenon joint for a strong, secure fit. The mortise and tenon method is known for its unusual strength, and has been used in wood working for centuries.

The cane -- available in a standard 37-inch size, or a larger 40-inch size -- can also be personalized with laser engraving, and outfitted with a fashionable cane strap. Each cane comes with a standard rubber ferrule for a firm, secure grip on virtually any surface.

Like all of our staffs and canes, the Twisted Sweet Gum Walking Cane is handcrafted in the USA using the highest quality wood and time-tested methods.

Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.

Writing Sample: The Many Benefits of Farm Fowl

My family has been homesteading for three years. Like most Western homesteaders, we’re hobby farmers ... We don’t do this to stay alive, though we feel most alive when we’re doing it. :-)

Through each passing season we’ve learned about gardening and animal husbandry through reading, asking our neighbors, asking our friends, and, most importantly, actually getting out there and doing something. Trial and error is a faithful schoolmaster.

The entire piece is available on Mother Earth News' "Community Chickens" blog, here.

Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.

Writing Sample: Convocation

Hispanic Baptist Convocation of the Laity

By Eric Guel

Texas Baptist Communications

SPICEWOOD – Hispanic Baptists from across the state, convening near Austin for the annual Hispanic Baptist Men’s Convocation, heard a special message from President George W. Bush, delivered by one of the Chief Executive’s top Hispanic advisors, Daniel Garza of the Office of Public Liaison.

The event, coordinated by the Hispanic Baptist Convocation of the Laity, had 450 attendees at Highland Lakes Baptist Encampment on Oct. 14-15.

Garza, speaking on behalf of President Bush, encouraged conference-goers to make a difference for the Kingdom of God by getting involved in the political process. “If you don’t get involved, either in Washington or locally,” Garza said, “the secular world will get involved for you.”

Garza said that Christians have a unique voice, and that voice needs to resonate throughout the halls of the Supreme Court, Congress and the White House. “Let’s not interpret ‘separation of church and state’ to mean that churches should not try to influence policy in government,” he said.

While promoting Christian involvement in the political process, Garza also affirmed God’s sovereign role in putting people where they need to be to further His gospel. “It is only by God’s grace that I am serving the President of the United States in the White House,” he said. Garza explained that, despite the fact that he was a high school dropout, God has brought him to serve the nation by assisting President Bush.

Attendees also heard addresses from Dr. Charles Wade, director, BGCT; E.B. Brooks, former coordinator, Church Missions and Evangelism Section, BGCT; and musical performances directed by Samuel Marroquin of Houston.

In addition to the keynote speakers, the Convocation was buttressed by a slew of workshops designed to equip Baptist men in all manners of ministry. Workshops covered topics such as leadership, immigration ministry, church planting and music ministry. “Being trained helps men activate their lives,” said Eli Rodriguez, convocation coordinator. “This training helps them to minister not only in the church but also outside the church in the community.”

“The teachings and sermons have helped me clarify my vision,” said Salvador Martinez Jr. of Immanuel Baptist Church in Boerne. “This vision for ministry is going to help me at my home church; I’m ready to go back and translate this message to my church members.”

BGCT Director Dr. Charles Wade lauded the Convocation and the Texas Baptists who made it possible. “I am always inspired when I am around Baptist people,” he said. “One of the great strengths of the Baptist General Convention of Texas is that we have such a diversity of participation, and the thing I’ve observed about our baptist laymen and laywomen is they believe they can do anything God wants them to do. There’s no quit in them; they’re just there to try and make a difference for Jesus. It’s the joy of my life to get to be in a meeting like this where the music is so powerful, the fellowship is so rich and the preaching is just phenomenal.”

Rodriguez said one of the Convocation’s primary goals, to activate and equip Baptist laymen, has been realized at this year’s Convocation, and in previous years, but there’s still work to do. “The community doesn’t know what we do inside the church,” he said. “We’ve got to open our doors and we do that through training our men. As we open the church for the community there’s going to be many who will be saved for the Lord.”

One alliance, that actively seeks to meet community needs through disaster relief, had a dominant presence at the Convocation, Texas Baptist Men. Leo Guerra of TBM said getting men involved, meeting practical needs, is vital to the furtherance of the gospel. “We want the world to see what Christians are doing by giving a cup of water to people in need,” he said. “You can tell people about Jesus all day long, but if you’re not sharing with them, meeting their needs, they’re not going to listen to you.”

Rodriguez said Hispanic Baptist men are being transformed for Christ around the state, and the Convocation has been blessed to be a part of that transformation. “Our men are realizing their responsibilities within the church, and acting on those responsibilities,” he said. “Lives are being changed.”

Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.

Welcome

Welcome to the Internet space of Eric Guel. I'm a freelance writer, editor & photographer. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Baylor University, and I have more than 15 years of professional experience. I've written for newspapers, magazines, blogs, and many other publications; and my award-winning photojournalism has been featured in numerous publications as well. 

Contact me:

Eric Guel
254.717.1225
eric@photowaco.com