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Looking for examples of my graphic design work? Click here.
I am a feature writer with a strong eye for detail, audience, and use of appropriate humor. At my best when I am asked to make a vicarious experience for my audience, I focus on travel and experience writing but enjoy profile writing as well. Below are examples of the diverse publications that have featured my work. "See Spot's Thoughts" - 9/2001: New Times, San Luis Obispo weekly How can you explain your dog knowing when you're coming home, even if it's on an intermittent schedule? Or how come when it's time to give your cat a bath, he’s nowhere to be found? Or how hundreds of birds can maintain graceful flight patterns without slamming into each other? According to some, the answer is a mental connection, or telepathy. What’s more, this sort of telepathy is lying dormant in everyone. By reinforcing this connection with practice, advocates say that it can develop into full telepathic communication with animals, and even humans. Click here to view entire article. "The High Sierra" - 5/2005: Climb, UK Climbing magazine A hundred years ago, a wily Scotsman scrambled his way up the virginal rock face of a distinctive peak he’d seen thrusting skyward out of the rolling, tree-blanketed hills and meadows of the High Sierra. From the top he could see to the end of the world: patterns in the domes of rock made by passing glaciers, isolated alpine lakes so clear they seemed to trap the sky on earth, and beyond it, more mountains, equally as enticing. With that, John Muir became the first person to climb fourth class stone and to summit the gorgeous, and classic, Cathedral Peak. May you be the next. Click here to view entire article. "High Street Deli" - 7/2001: New Times, San Luis Obispo weekly Corner markets have a Rockwell-era feel to them. It’s sandy-haired kiddies with big, round freckles sucking on Eskimo Pies kind of nostalgic. Whether you’re out for a walk or driving lost in a neighborhood, turning a corner and finding one is as reassuring as finding an oasis in the Sahara. In a world where commercial zones are partitioned to their quadrant, teeming with Starbucks and trendy clothing stores with trendier patrons, the inefficient comfort of a neighborhood market is becoming more and more foreign. Truly, these shops are one of the few places you can go and see a familiar face, and order up “the usual.” Click here to view entire article. "Australian Shepherd Color Genetics for Dummies" - 9/2004: Aussie Times, bi-monthly magazine; published for the breed education committee So, you think that color genetics is a bit over your head? Hate Punnett squares? Planning a litter and want to know what to expect? What about those ads that say they are expecting all four colors? How do they know that? Can you “expect?” Or is it all just a shot in the dark? Well, with this simple tutorial, you will come out smelling like a rose and your dogs will end up looking as you expect them to. A little can of paint and . . . just kidding! Click here to view entire article. "The Truth About Australian Shepherd Temperament" - 7/2006: Aussie Times, bi-monthly magazine; published for the breed education committee The “Aussie needs a job to do” mantra has been around a long time. It's a cliché within most working breeds, but is it true for the Australian Shepherd today? April Metroulas' article on petplace.com is a good example of the kind of information available to the general public about the Australian Shepherd: “An active and friendly herding dog;” “They are also instinctual herders and will tend to nip at your heels;” “Aussies are very high energy;” “They need loads of exercise and demand time and attention;” “Some can be cautious with strangers, but most are highly loyal and affectionate;” “These dogs are exceptionally easy to train.” Is Metroulas accurate about the Australian Shepherd in general? Click here to view entire article. "High Sierra Climbing" - 4/2005: On the Edge, UK Climbing magazine and Rockclimbing.com, web publication; book review Chris McNamara is your friend; you just don’t know it yet. Reading his guidebooks is akin to sitting down to coffee with a map, him furiously scribbling out a topo on a napkin whilst interjecting enthusiastic selling points like, “This move is wild!” McNamara (a prolific and accomplished aid climber and founder of the American Safe Climbing Association) hit the big time when he published Yosemite Valley’s Big Walls guide in 2000, which became a beloved part of any Valley climber’s collection – most of us lovingly dog-earing and writing notes in it while gazing up at El Capitan from the meadows below. With its resounding success, McNamara has been encouraged to produce a number of free-climbing guides available as downloads or in print focusing on outstanding, world-class routes available throughout the Southwest United States. High Sierra Climbing is the latest in this series. Click here to view entire article.(Goes to different site) "Tarren Collins Profile" - 6/2001: New Times, San Luis Obispo weekly The sun blankets Mission plaza in brilliant light as a woman approaches prancing forward with quick, light steps. When recognition registers on her face, she trots the last ten feet, her long blonde hair swaying to and fro, her summer dress bouncing lightly. Coming to a stop, she just smiles and shrugs her shoulders. Meet Tarren Collins, chair of the Santa Lucia chapter of the Sierra Club. Click here to view entire article. "The Scoop on Gear for 2005" - 9/2004: Rockclimbing.com, web publication; Internet convention report From the moment I left the balmy Salt Lake City (SLC) airport, I knew something special was going on. The big screen flashed, "Welcome OutdoorRetailer Attendees" as I trotted down the steps with only a backpack and a canvas tote bag containing my harness and climbing shoes. (I would leave Salt Lake with a 36" duffle bag filled to the brim, however.) Not once have I ever been to a convention where I felt as though I belonged. I always wondered what the motivation behind the "Welcome" signs was, but now I know - I felt a sense of exhiliration that I was a part of this. Click here to view entire article.(Goes to different site) "Maculated Falls Down and Goes Boom in KY" - 5/2004: Rockclimbing.com, web publication; Trip Report I don't fall down all the time. It's only because those sticky rubber flip flops that I have had for years got wet. I only just got done telling TennDawg that when it happened. I am nimble, I am surefooted, I'm a friggin' gazelle. And this TR is also to make sure that TennDawg gets the ribbing he asked for at the top of a particular climb. It's been four or so months since I've been roped up, owing to a particular evil evil climb in the Owens River Gorge that left me with a torn/strained rotator cuff. Many months of lying around, getting fat, and typing way too much on the computer did have one benefit: I had a lot of extra money. Click here to view entire article.(Goes to different site) |
 Kristin Tara McNamara 805.748.1478 maculated@gmail.com |
Copyright Kristin Tara McNamara 2006