Everybody has a story, and I'd like to help you tell yours. In the meantime, here's a little glimpse into mine.

I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in English. I've always loved to write, and honestly, I needed a reprieve from the challenges of Electrical Engineering, Calculus II, and Naval Weapons Systems. For me, Shakespeare and Literary Criticism were welcome distractions. Writing essays and analyzing literary works were my saving grace in a world of science, math, sports and testosterone.

After graduation, I found myself on the island of Guam. In addition to my military duties, I became SCUBA certified, earned my Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, and married the love of my life. I met some great, life-long friends, and developed a real passion for editing other people’s written work.

After an 8.1 earthquake and several typhoons, it was time to go back to the states. I ended up back at my alma mater, teaching in the Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law. I would remind my students, “English is leadership. How can you consider yourself a leader if you can’t communicate effectively?”

Life in the military later took me to Florida. While serving my country, fostering a beautiful little toddler, and trying to stay a step ahead of, well, myself, I managed to complete my doctoral degree in Education with Capella University.  

I contemplated what would be the next chapter in my life after having devoted 20 years to the U.S. Navy and retiring as a Human Resources Officer. My husband suggested writing as a new career. “You’re always writing for everybody else, and it’s what you love,” he said. Really? Could I really write for a living? I decided to give it a try, first as a hobby.

Since I had been doing some form of business writing for 20 years, and some form of research for almost as long, those areas seemed to be the logical start. I wrote a resume and cover letter for someone; they were so pleased, they told a friend. That friend told another friend, and soon I was inundated with writing resume’s and cover letters!

One day, a management company asked me to write an employee handbook to address specific policies regarding overseas contractors in war zones. My Human Resources knowledge, coupled with my military experience, made this a wonderfully rewarding opportunity. The president of the company expressed his satisfaction with the final product and his desire to continue our professional relationship. The vice president of the company was equally pleased, and asked me to tackle a larger project: he had decided to purchase a leading insurance franchise, and needed a business plan. He stated his time would be better spent doing what he was good at doing, and paying me to do what I was good at doing. I couldn’t argue with that! I absolutely loved the research involved, the knowledge gained, the consulting I could provide, and the encouragement I could give when people were tempted to give up on their dreams.

Soon I was asked to write grants for non-profits, and edit articles for peer-reviewed journals. I incorporated editing websites, marketing materials and other business documents into my repertoire, and had the pleasure to serve customers where English was their second language.

I am one of the few people who gets excited over APA formatting, and I found myself editing a lot, (I mean, a lot), of dissertations and theses. Graduate students discovered they could concentrate on their bottom line (graduation!) and I could do what I enjoy! Win!

One day, I realized my writing hobby had turned into a real business, and all I wanted to do was encourage others to pursue their dreams.

That’s my story. Believe it or not, that’s the short version!

Now that I've told you about me, tell me about you. What are your dreams, and why aren't you following them? Maybe now that I've shared my start in realizing my dreams, I've encouraged you to take that first step. Just start. Don't worry, if it happened for me, it can happen for you, too. Allow me to help you write your story, long or short, business or academic, hobby, freelance or full-time. You have a story to tell, and I would love to assist you in perfecting your thoughts, delivering your message, and realizing your dreams. Together we’ll get there.