I began proofreading and copy editing at a young age, correcting my older sister’s spelling when we were still in elementary school and played “School” together during our summer breaks. To be honest, my perfectionist nature did not go over well with her back then. It did, however, bring me great joy to fix her mistakes.
I followed that love of words, correcting errors, clarifying ideas, and making people’s words flow more smoothly throughout my college years.
I then spent more than 20 years in the business world, correcting countless errors in the writings of my employers and co-workers. I was counted on for copy editing, proofreading, and often writing letters, legal documents, policy and procedure manuals, grant proposals, job descriptions, and just about every type of written material a business can produce.
I designed, wrote articles for, and proofread newsletters. I wrote the copy for and created flyers, promotional materials, booklets, and pamphlets. And that was in addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of my positions, which ranged from receptionist to office manager.
In 2013, I decided to change my career path and return to doing what I enjoy most — helping people improve their writing. As a freelance copy editor and proofreader, I have worked on a wide variety of projects, from product descriptions to full-length novels. I soon realized, however, that I could do a better job for my clients if I narrowed my focus to a few specific niches.
When choosing those niches, my background pretty much insisted that I include business documents, from business plans to grant proposals. And while I love the whole storytelling process, I most enjoy having a hand in telling stories that help people or arm them with information they can use either personally or with their businesses.
Content marketing and non-fiction both fit that criteria. They both also allow me to constantly learn about new technologies, business practices, philosophies, and a host of other ideas that I wouldn’t otherwise have ready access to.
Additionally, I love the very specifics of my work. With clients using different style guides, both established ones and client-specific, I have to stay on my toes to make sure every piece is written to the particular style and brand voice that needs to come out.
I also love coffee (a nice dark roast with a touch of cream) and spending time with family and my cat, and taking drives through the beautiful mountains of central Pennsylvania.
If you write blog posts, ebooks, full-length non-fiction, newsletters, marketing brochures, or any kind of business document, I can help your writing shine. Whether you need basic proofreading or extensive copy editing, I can tackle it without tearing you down. What you’ll end up with is your voice, your style, your words — polished to perfection.
Contact me today to discuss your project needs!