^{Writing is tough work. 
Let someone else fight your battles.}

" Whoever writes English is involved 
in a struggle that never lets up, 
even for a sentence."
                  —George Orwell

Writing can be one of the great pains or pleasures of the world, but it's never easy. 

I've been a writer-editor-professor-consultant for most of my working life. I've helped thousands of people communicate, and this site reflects some of these activities. It also reflects something of who I am and how I approach the business of writing—whether it be crafting persuasive speeches or developing corporate brochures. Each writing project has different requirements. 

Writing

Like any consultant, a freelance writer (sometimes called a ghostwriter or contract writer) must tune in exactly to your task, its requirements and objectives. With more than thirty years of  professional freelance writing experience, I’ve covered a wide array of subjects, written in a multitude of styles and formats, and tuned in to a lot of tasks. 

Editing

People in this business usually distinguish between substantive editing and copy editing (or line editing). Substantive editing means changing, rewriting, reorganizing, revising and, possibly, creating a new document.  Copy editing generally covers:

• checking and correcting such matters as grammar, spelling,  punctuation, word usage

• checking for consistency of style and format

• correcting overall clarity and sense.

Copy editing generally involves formatting, or setting text and type according to rules of editorial style for a specific kind of  look or  publication. Another part of editorial work is proofreading, which means scrupulously checking proof (or the final draft) for errors against original copy, plus correcting typos, layout problems and other errors.

I did my first editing stint in the early '70s as managing editor of a scholarly journal in special education. Since then, I've edited manuals, books, a business monthly and hundreds of occasional pieces. I'm conversant with the Chicago Manual of Style and several others. I've done legal editing for LexisNexis Publishing in Charlottesville, so chances are I can handle your legal document.

Consulting

Consulting means exchanging views, as well as seeking/offering advice and knowledge. It means listening as well as talking. Here are a few areas where my experience may prove helpful to you.

• Using and creating media, specifically video (I've written, produced and directed videos in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors)

• Coaching in media relations and presentation skills

• Developing a communications plan for your organization (I've done this for the U.S. Navy, AFL-CIO and others)

• Customizing and adapting your marketing communications program for the new technologies

• Analyzing and critiquing documents.

Thanks for reading. Now, pick a specialty from the left-hand menu and check me out.