Portfolio
The interests of the audience─prospective readers—informs everything I write. Who will read this piece? What do they want to know and what might surprise them? By keeping the demographics of a publication’s readership or an organization’s target market in mind, I aim to fulfill editors’ needs in a way that captivates their readers’ interest.
Good writing and reporting require solving puzzles. Combining the diligence of a reference librarian and the instincts of a seasoned detective, I dig into each assignment, following clues, captivated by the diversity of activities and ideas that excite others. What drives someone to swim in Maine’s coastal creeks in February? How does a recent immigrant navigate dual bureaucracies to resume a nursing career in a new country? How can cooking bridge the generation gap? Interviews and research glide the pieces into place. Unexpected connections suggest unusual points of view.
Among the joys and mysteries of writing is that words come from out of the sky, usually under the press of deadline. I set aside my notes and my fingers begin to tap dance on the keyboard. Whole paragraphs appear. I rigorously fact-check, then polish each feature article, brochure, newsletter or book review to be sure the piece accomplishes its goal, capturing the interest of readers.