About Me
I've always been in love with words and sentences. The first books I remember reading came from the Airstream bookmobile that travelled once a week to the general store in rural Skamania, Washington. The first stories I wrote (at age 9) were in a spiral notebook and illustrated with magazine cut–outs. It probably surprised no one that I went on to study languages and literature, grammar and writing.
During my graduate–student years, I earned extra money editing and proofreading for my friends. Then later as an award–winning professor of French and ESL at several private colleges in the South and Midwest, I became the go–to person for colleagues who wanted their writing polished up.
In 1994, I came home to the Pacific Northwest and moved into a second career as a freelance editor, proofreader, and research writer. I continue to teach, offering courses in writing and creativity and workshops in research writing, APA formatting, and clear communication. I love what I do.
As an editor, I'm a stickler for details and clarity, and I'm great at helping writers get it right, from consistent punctuation to clear phrasings to well–polished sentences and well–organized ideas.
My years of successful teaching have also made me a great coach. I know how to ask the right questions and make the right suggestions. I also know how to get writers—and other artists—past their creative blocks so they can move forward towards completion of their projects.
During my years as a college professor, I published frequently in academic journals. During my tenure as Editor–in–Chief of the Portland (OR) Woman's Journal, I won awards for editorial writing and overall magazine content. Then in 2007, I published my memoir, Sober Truths: The Making of an Honest Woman, which was a finalist for a 2008 Oregon Book Award for literary excellence. I am currently at work on a novel.
Lastly, I have a deep faith in the creative ability of each one of us and a firm belief that self–expression in whatever form it takes is of great value in the world today.
Ready to see how I can help with your project? .