In 10th grade I received rave remarks on an English class essay about my older sister. That night, I stood in my parents’ kitchen and said, “I want to be a writer.” I majored in communications/journalism at Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania. Communications introduce me to the sociology of how people communicate, and journalism taught me the fundamentals of writing and research. Internships and time at the college newspaper taught me I didn’t want to be a reporter. I found a job with a landscape architect writing and proofing proposals. I learned about small business and plants and dreamt of freelance writing.
I had romantic dreams of writing feature articles on food and travel, maybe books about the same. The need to earn a living brought me back to reality, and my writing and editorial skills went work in publishing instead. I spent years reviewing streams of press releases, drumming up stories, planning editorial calendars, writing and editing, and working with designers, advertising reps and printers to compile layout and publish on deadline. I loved (and still do) the editorial process, but tired of the subject—financial services.
My interest in food and nutrition drew me to a public relations position at Produce for Better Health Foundation. Public relations blurred with corporate communications, which blurred with marketing communications. I wrote copy for a range of B2B and B2C pieces including websites, press releases, research reports, capabilities collateral and brand guidebooks. I worked with nutrition policy and in leadership teams on brand development, public relations strategy and annual business planning. I got promoted. I led the marketing communications department. I managed a staff and tons of projects. I hired freelancers to get the writing done so I could manage the office. And then I grew jealous of my freelancers. I too had the skill, the discipline and the understanding of the corporate communications business.
After eight years, I left that job to begin freelancing in January 2007.
