about me

Thank you for visiting my writer's portfolio web site. I have been writing fiction, poetry, plays, essays, criticism and other types of creative written work since early childhood. My earliest memories growing up include drawing my own graphic novels and comic strips, as well as writing numerous stories and poems. I completed my first novel at the age of 11.

In my teens I became a professional songwriter as the lead vocalist of a popular local band, and began my affiliation with Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). In my twenties, i began printing and selling my own poetry chapbooks under the imprint of a fictitious publishing company called Scandinavian Obliterati Press, and read my work in a variety of venues both academic and public. At that time I also began editing other people's writing professionally.

In my thirties I became initiated into life on the web and pursued both web design and content production, marketing my own creative work via a self-designed web site, and studying the art and theories of usability and web standards. however, while I've been interested in the design of web experiences, I've reaffirmed that my greatest calling (besides rock and roll music) is in the areas of writing and editorial work.

Everyone has their own amusing or horrifying anecdote of being in a business situation, surrounded by highly trained and deeply educated professionals with impressive skill sets, and yet finding that none of them seemed to be able to write a complete and concise thought in the English language. or, if they were capable of writing proficiently, they were unable to fluently express the true depth of their vision via the written word. Those abilities are of premium importance now more than ever to anyone seeking to communicate ideas, be they in the realm of business, in the arts, science, or service to the community.

Simply put, skill and flair with the written word is something that never goes out of style. Stories about instant messaging and social media shorthand being the death of formal English usage have, i believe, been greatly exaggerated. while every day each of us commits some vernacular crime against this language, it's still possible to broadcast profoundly meaningful ideas by using English formally yet fluidly.

Proper English need not be boring. Sometimes, an academic drafting a paper, a physician dictating patient notes, an ad executive pitching a promotion, a public figure creating a speech, or a talented chef seeking to publish her first cook book are all driven by the same imperative: To say something boldly and uniquely, without confusing their chosen audience - not to mention, having an audience to speak to in the first place.

What I have to offer as a writer and editor is a passion for bold, unique, clear expression. Something as prosaic as bus poetry has the capacity to inspire, amuse, anger, depress, or quiet me, all on the same ride. Every once in a while one can see anyone's native genius shining through - maybe they just needed someone to help them put in words what they really wanted other people to know, in a manner that's understandable and accessible, and yet still manages to capture that certain special something that makes it theirs.

I'm here to help.