Word Bird Writing + Editing Services

11/03/2023

Well, it's been several YEARS since I've said anything on my business page, but the worst of the pandemic is behind us, thank goodness.

I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to work with fabulous clients doing great things in the world! I create clear, customized, and creative online content, serve as a ghost writer, and write most frequently in the philanthropy, healthcare, and art and design niches. I also write press releases, artist statements, and other materials for visual artists. If you have a need for these services, I'd love to talk and see how I can help!

09/27/2019

Haven't posted in a while but thought this was an interesting tidbit! I believe I've mentioned this before, but no writer or editor has every rule in their head at all times regarding the English language. The cool thing is that the language is a living thing and always changing and shifting and growing. I found and liked this story about the conundrum of hyphenation - it can be confusing as you write to consider each instance and the arguments/rules for and against hyphenation. AP (Associated Press) style is the standard used by the majority of my clients, but I have to say that though the hard info in this article is important to consider, the headline is hilariously wonderful: "AP sparks linguistic pandemonium with hyphen guidance update." The thing I still can't get used to w/ AP? The way that only the first word of a headline is capitalized! Anyway, take a look at the story, it's pretty fascinating:

The sky has fallen! The end is nigh! How can we possibly go on? That is the reaction to a small change in Associated Press style that has unsettled many editors and writers. The change? AP is calling for no hyphen between some compound modifiers, like “first quarter touchdown.” ICYMI: AP deletes...

08/01/2019

And now for a little editing levity, courtesy of a very talented writer-friend:

06/21/2019

Haven't posted in quite some time, but want to give a shout out to one of my favorite kinds of writing (and one that some might not be aware exists): ghostwriting. It's the farthest thing from spooky! The process involves a writer working with their client to craft a piece in their voice. I love this type of writing because it's very collaborative; you need to truly get to know your client, learn how they think and communicate, and work to convey what they want to say. Often clients are business or nonprofit leaders who simply don't have the time to do this work, but nevertheless need it done. Though your byline as the writer doesn't appear, you know you wrote it and it's all good! Examples of this type of writing include newspaper columns, corporate and nonprofit communications targeted to staff and/or an outside readership, nonfiction books, and even remarks and speeches for events. When you think about it, everything you read, from product packaging to best sellers, had to be written by someone. That vast landscape is thrilling!

05/01/2019

As North Carolina's teachers march today, I think of the teachers along the way who told me I could write, demanded endless revisions, hard work, and excellence, and encouraged me in many ways. And remember, writing well is a skill that bolsters your work no matter what it may be - from IT pro or nurse to nonprofit executive or student of anything! Happy writing everyone!

03/06/2019

It has been a while since I posted, but I'm still here! Here is an interesting observation: I can't tell you how many times I've had it said to me, "Well, you know grammar inside and out, and all the rules, so how should this sentence be?" Truth: Writers and editors are most certainly not walking AP, Strunk & White, or Chicago Manual of Style automatons. The English language is far too varied, flexible, weird, and beautiful for that. We regularly consult dictionaries, thesauruses (or thesauri, see there are two correct answers right there!), style guides, and the like for clarification. In certain cases, depending on what you're writing, rules can sometimes even be broken! A few online sites I really like are Mignon Fogerty's Grammar Girl site, https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl, the Chicago Manual of Style site, https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html, and Daily Writing Tips, https://www.dailywritingtips.com/. Enjoy! Do YOU have a fave writing site?

01/29/2019

Helpful hint for the week: Did you know there are several types of editing? Copyediting fixes spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other mistakes, line editing requires a deeper look into the meaning and construction of each sentence (though copyediting and line editing are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference to me), developmental editing is "big picture" - flow, uniformity, etc., substantive editing focuses on clarifying prose, and mechanical editing requires looking at writing to see if it follows a well-known and accepted style, like the Chicago Manual of Style or AP Style. Carry on!

01/08/2019

I am thrilled to introduce my FB business page! I provide writing and editing services that are tailored to my clients' diverse needs, fuel their missions, and generate sales, donations, recognition, and all-around positive attention. There's nothing I love more than getting to know my client and figuring out - together - how to create what they need, whether that's a punchy press release, a compelling fundraising appeal, a kick-a$$ college essay, an authentic artist statement, engaging museum exhibition content, and more. I also love to provide editing expertise - I'll discuss the different types of editing I do in my next post this week. The Word Bird website is in the works as well!