Why I Write

I’ve been thinking a lot about my motivations as a writer, and I realized that my reasons for writing have changed a lot over the years. I certainly remember using writing as a coping mechanism for when I felt overwhelmed as a teenager. There are journals filled with my angst-filled musings.

As a college student my GPA was my biggest motivator. I had moved to a new city far from home and had the opportunity to reinvent myself. I decided to try being a good student—which was dependent upon my ability to write well.

Once I graduated from Pratt, my drive to write was supplanted by my drive to get published. I focused a tremendous amount of energy on researching literary journals and submitting my work. It took nearly two years of rejection letters before my first poem was published in Monday Night. There’s nothing quite like seeing your name in print for the first time. It validates you as a writer and proves that someone (an editor!) has connected with your work. I felt a lot of pride each time one of my poems was accepted.

These days, writing is my bread and butter. My ability to stay in business depends on my ability to write well. In addition to that, I must be a salesperson, administrator, accountant, and CEO. And I find my work to be very satisfying (although my boss can be an unyielding perfectionist). I no longer write to escape adolescent anxiety or to please my professors. I write for myself and my clients. It is a pleasure to be able practice the art that I love for a living.

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

10% Discount for Coastside Residents and Business Owners!

Coastside Writer for Hire is having 10% off sale for all Coastside residents and business owners! Call (650) 339-6040 and mention this post and the Coastside town you live or work in to receive 10% off of your bill.

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Writing for Nerds on Abstract Discourse!

Download the podcast of the latest episode of Abstract Discourse, where my co-host Angel and I discuss writing, editing, and publishing on KPDO.

Click here to download the podcast!

For more information about Coastside Writer for Hireemail me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

New Underwriting Message on Story Hour!

My new underwriting message aired on KPDO 89.3 FM's Story Hour, hosted by my friend Book Mom (aka Shannon Webb). You can listen to the podcast by clinking this link.

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Updated Writing Portfolio!

An updated version of my Writing Portfolio is available on the Coastside Writer for Hire Google Group. Download the PDF file and see samples of my work. Click here to go to visit my Google Group.

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Check Out My New Listing on Thumbtack.com!

Click here to see my listing

Coastside Writer for Hire on Pescadero Pesos!

I appeared on KPDO 89.3 FM's Pescadero Pesos on Friday, June 18, 2010. Listen to the podcast by clicking on this link.

My interview begins about 30 minutes into the podcast.

Testimonial

Shannon Bowman-Sarkisian took several of my courses in the Master of Fine Arts program at San José State University. Not only is she an excellent writer herself, she proved to be a thoughtful editor of other student's work, as well. But Shannon really showed her abilities when she served as my research assistant and played an invaluable role in helping me dig up obscure facts and photos for a book I'm writing on the United Nations. Add to all these talents her sweet disposition, and she is a joy to work with.

Professor Cathleen Miller
Department of English
San José State University

Samples Of My Writing - Just A Click Away!

To see examples of my work in action click on the links below:

Website content for Mobile Minds Tutoring.
Website content for Carson Bowman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
An essay about the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose, CA.
An essay about D&J Hobby and Crafts in Campbell, CA.

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Copy Editing and Proofreading

As a writer I know how important it is to use language correctly, but as a human being I know how difficult that can be. You check, double-check, and re-check that important letter, brochure, essay, or poem until you start seeing double. Or maybe you just can't get the words to pop the way you want it to.

The best remedy for writer's block or sneaky grammatical errors is to have a second (or even third) set of eyes take a look. I often find that I make mistakes when I'm too familiar with a piece. When I'm proofreading or copy editing a new document it's easy to ferret out commonly made errors, puzzle out how to make the language "pop," and find the facts that need to be checked.

I have worked as a proofreader and copy editor for Guitar World Acoustic, party promoter San Jose Nights, and for countless creative writing students at San Jose State University and Pratt Institute. To learn more about my editing style please visit my LinkedIn profile to see recommendations from my former classmates and co-workers.

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Family Histories Transcribed

I recently found an old issue of The Prattler, a student magazine I worked for as an undergraduate at Pratt Institute. My assignment was to speak to my Grandpa Walt about the Pearl Harbor attacks and his experiences as a soldier during World War II.

As I re-read this forgotten artifact I realized how lucky I was to have it. My grandfather did not willingly talk about the war. The only time I remember him mentioning it was when the Nuremberg television mini-series came out in 2000, and that was only to tell me that the cells didn't look like the way the show portrayed them and that Brian Cox didn't look or act at all like Hermann Göring. That was the day I learned my grandpa had been a guard at Nuremberg.

My grandpa passed away in 2007. It is such a gift to have his experiences in his own words. I have a record of our family history as well as a piece of American history told by someone who lived it.

As a writer, I am interested in family, local, American, and world history. Chronicling family histories and creating historical documents that can be passed down to future generations is fascinating to me. A simple Microsoft Word document can easily be mailed to all of your relatives around the world. A hardbound copy of your favorite childhood memory will become a treasured family heirloom. I will work with you and your family to create the perfect written record that will preserve your family's history for years to come!

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Marketing Writing

Marketing has a bad reputation...with good reason. Advertisers use misleading images and language in order to convince consumers to buy their product (I have a 1949 advertisement that cheerfully proclaims "MORE DOCTORS SMOKE CAMELS THAN ANY OTHER CIGARETTE" reminding us that "Doctors smoke for pleasure, too!").

However, a strong marketing campaign can do wonders for business owners. Marketing collateral creates a clear vision and voice for your company. Flyers, brochures, website content, and social networking can connect your product and services to consumers quickly and easily.

I will create marketing documents that define your company in a concise manner, enabling you to reach the largest possible audience. With honest writing there's no need to resort to false advertising or hyperbole.

Services Offered:
Website Content Development
Flyers
Marketing Collateral
Press Releases
Business Correspondence
Branding/Identity

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Clients/Experience

Travelers' Tales - Publisher of Marco Polo Didn't Go There, 100 Places Every Woman Should Go, and The Best Women's Travel Writing and The Best Travel Writing anthologies.

Future US - Publisher of Guitar World, PC Gamer, Official Xbox Magazine, Nintendo Power, and Maximum PC.

Mobile Minds Tutoring

Brooklyn Review

Reed Magazine

My Mom!

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!