Dec 10 2007
Writing & Editing
I wrote my first story, The Changing Color Monster, when I was seven. Unfortunately, the title was the first thing I wrote so when I was finished, the title needed fine-tuning. The Changing Color Monster That Does Not Change Colors Much was my first lesson in planning — and adaptability.
I still like to make up titles and then think of a story to match.
In my professional writing, however, I identify, research and structure the Big Ideas and express them in a voice and style tailored to the specific audience. I’m very picky about content hierarchy, accuracy and internal consistency. And I try to infuse even the most prosaic topics with some spark.
In recreational writing, meanwhile, I do whatever I feel like. What audience? No need for complete sentences. Or even phrases. Logic? Merit? Naw.
Commercially I’ve written and copy-edited publications in many formats, including these: brochures, annual report, white papers, style guide, user manual, tip sheet, policy publication and Web site.
Here’s a writing sample, a feature piece that I enjoyed researching and writing a few years ago: Keeping Small Farms in Business: Adopt-an-Organic Farm Project, 1500-word article published in the Co-op Reporter, the monthly newspaper of Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op.
