Writing is mostly perspiration and not so much inspiration. The first step is learning about the subject. The second step is figuring out what to say. By that time, putting words to the screen is the easy part.
When writing articles for periodicals, my client is the audience and I imagine myself in their shoes. I need to give them new, interesting information and present it in an interesting way. There is something intriguing in nearly every topic, and when it comes to sailing there’s no shortage of facets. It’s a great challenge.
When writing for a client, the first step is always to learn about their business and their business’s needs. The more I know, the better the work I can do. Call it messaging. When writing for clients I adopt their voice and their thought to the best of my ability for a rough draft, then go back and forth with them as many times as it takes for them to feel happy and proud to put it “out there.” In the end, clients feel they the words are their own, without the pain of actually writing them.
My experience as both a freelance writer and an editor (with Sailing and Northwest Yachting magazines) gives me full appreciation, and compassion, for the challenges facing both of those specialties. Thank goodness for writers. Thank goodness for editors. I’m happy to step in as either.
Clients have included:
The Seattle Times
Holland America Line
Sailing World Magazine
Sailing Magazine
Elliott Bay Yacht Sales
Nordhavn Yachts
Washington Magazine