Proven Results

I have worked on a large number of writing and editing projects – both as a full-time professional and a freelancer – including (but not limited to) the following. PDF samples provided upon request.

Business and Documentation Writing

Writing is a major part of the day-to-day operations of any business and is often overlooked. I have written material for businesses, including the following:

• Business requirement documents for Pier 1 Imports home office
• Correspondence for USImpEx, an Arlington-area import-export company
• Material for a major DFW area company such as:
  • Templates for S.M.A.R.T. employee evaluations
  • Business letters to senior managers
  • Templates for employee discipline scenarios
  • Department-wide communications
• Regular e-mail updates for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Society for Certified Public Accountants
• An employee handbook for a Dallas-area specialty grocer

Marketing Content

Content for websites, magazines, white papers, brochures, and social media often are the first impressions a company has with potential customers. I write concise, interesting material to introduce you to new clients. I have written the following marketing content for businesses and individuals:

• The article Out of This World and filler content for Innovative Home Magazine’s premier issue
• An interview with the Treasurer of the Fort Worth TSCPA in CPA News
• A white paper for a charitable initiative by Black Elk Energy
• Website content for IT solution provider CNET Global Solutions
• Website content for IT solution provider Off Hours Services
• I wrote content for  a number of software/hardware reviews, online content, and more:
  • Starbucks Reserves Single-Origin Coffees On Their Way
  • What Is Next! On The iPad
  • Skype And The iPod Touch: Get Close To An iPhone
  • Apple Fan Isn’t A Fan Of The New Apple In-ear Headphones
  • Touch From Apple, Part 1 and Part 2
  • The Days After Blog Intro

Documentation, User Guides, and Instructional Design Experience

Documenting processes and writing manuals for complex operations requires building a bridge between technical and subject-matter experts. Working within the framework of instructional design principles requires the same ability to span the gap between experts and customers and to do so within strict educational guidelines. I have worked on the following documentation and ID projects:

• Wrote a two-way radio system user guide for a major DFW area business
• Wrote several quick-reference guides to computer processes for the same client
• Wrote a new website user guide for members of the FWTSCPA
• Wrote inline help documentation for new time and attendance software for Pier 1 Imports
• Edited, wrote, and checked continuing education material against instructional design standards for Thomson Reuters’ Checkpoint Learning platform

Content- and Copy-editing

Rarely is the written word put to paper without errors. As an editor, I have edited for grammar and content, for the following products:

• Served as a copyeditor on the Checkpoint Learning and MicroMash continuing education platforms for CPAs
• Served as the story editor for The Adventures of Arthur Grey: The Society’s Traitor, a young-reader novel that has been called “A treat for young readers with a thirst for adventure and magic” (Kirkus Reviews) and the writing of which has been heralded as “brilliantly crisp” (ForeWord Reviews).
• Edited and provided suggestions for revisions for several college admission letters and essays for prospective students

Everything Else

Not all writing is for business. I do tend to dabble in other projects. I wrote “Armageddon Tired of All These Zombies”, a short play that won Best in Show at Cone Man Running’s A Spontaneous Smattering – A 24-Hour Play Festival; it ran again in Big Head Productions …And I Feel Fine, End of the World Shorts (where it was called “fascinatingly funny” by Buzz Belmont, Houston Chronicle Arts Critic).