The first question is always, “Can you show us some samples of your work?” That one usually even precedes, “What’s your rate?” Which is good and right; It should be more about the quality of the work than the money.
I try to keep my writing samples current, but it’s tough. Some clients don’t want me to share things, some work isn't worth sharing (so boring), and some work gets so gnarled after I turn it over to clients, that it no longer represents “my good work” – it is neither mine nor good. Some work dies in committee - too many reviewers, too little planning, or just dead-end projects.
Just posted two things I’m pretty pleased with.
The first is a case-study-style article about this amazing reading program I’ve had the pleasure to be writing about for nearly a year now. (There have been many, many other case studies during this time. This is the only one that has managed to make it through the maze of editing and approvals.)
The second is an ad series that I did in conjunction with this super cool creative firm I have the pleasure of working with often. They came up with all the concepts, gave me the designs and said, “fill in some copy.” And so I did. That’s my job.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Grind, Crunch, Boom - Part II
Faithful readers (all two of you) may recall that I wrote about the sidewalks in front of the BDO being ripped up and replaced right before I left for vacation. I wrote that the timing was great since I was leaving and would miss all the noise right outside my window. Came home to lovely, even, un-cracked new sidewalks.
And now... the town is ripping up the ROAD outside my window. INSANE amount of noise. Banging, grinding, pounding. Sometimes the windows of this old house rattle. And then there is that unmistakable high-pitched beep of heavy equipment backing up.
I have to conduct a phone interview this morning. This ought to be a hoot.
And now... the town is ripping up the ROAD outside my window. INSANE amount of noise. Banging, grinding, pounding. Sometimes the windows of this old house rattle. And then there is that unmistakable high-pitched beep of heavy equipment backing up.
I have to conduct a phone interview this morning. This ought to be a hoot.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Back in business (heavy sigh)
Well. Here I am again. Working.
Today a client asked me how my trip was and I shared with her these two vignettes that illustrate the quality of my recent vacation.
Quality Vacation Vignette #1
One day, I went into a Yellowstone post office to drop off some postcards and get postage for one of those cute puzzle postcards that require extra (unspecified) postage. A sign on the door read, "Closed for lunch: 12.30 - 1.30)." I consulted my watch, then the clock on the wall. It was 2.30. Where were these postal slackers? I peeked through the mail slots, looked around, blinked a few times, read the sign again, looked at my watch and the clock again, shrugged my shoulders and walked out.
Will was waiting in the car with an inquisitive expression. I explained about the sign and my confusion. And then suddenly, Will's expression changed as it dawned on him and he said, "Carole! It's SUNDAY!"
Quality Vacation Vignette #2
At one point, towards the end of the trip (after the post office incident, but before we were actually heading home), we were stopped at a gas station when I noticed a young woman at a nearby pump get out of her car and begin washing her windshield. She was very careful not to brush up against the car and dirty her pretty work clothes. "WORK CLOTHES! Oh crap. That's right. I forgot people work for a living. I work for a living." I sank more deeply into that seat than I had in 3,000+ miles. Ugh.
Lost track of the days and forgot people actually did anything other than tour around National Parks, camp, picnic, hike, and generally enjoy the world. Yes, it was a very good vacation.
Today a client asked me how my trip was and I shared with her these two vignettes that illustrate the quality of my recent vacation.
Quality Vacation Vignette #1
One day, I went into a Yellowstone post office to drop off some postcards and get postage for one of those cute puzzle postcards that require extra (unspecified) postage. A sign on the door read, "Closed for lunch: 12.30 - 1.30)." I consulted my watch, then the clock on the wall. It was 2.30. Where were these postal slackers? I peeked through the mail slots, looked around, blinked a few times, read the sign again, looked at my watch and the clock again, shrugged my shoulders and walked out.
Will was waiting in the car with an inquisitive expression. I explained about the sign and my confusion. And then suddenly, Will's expression changed as it dawned on him and he said, "Carole! It's SUNDAY!"
Quality Vacation Vignette #2
At one point, towards the end of the trip (after the post office incident, but before we were actually heading home), we were stopped at a gas station when I noticed a young woman at a nearby pump get out of her car and begin washing her windshield. She was very careful not to brush up against the car and dirty her pretty work clothes. "WORK CLOTHES! Oh crap. That's right. I forgot people work for a living. I work for a living." I sank more deeply into that seat than I had in 3,000+ miles. Ugh.
Lost track of the days and forgot people actually did anything other than tour around National Parks, camp, picnic, hike, and generally enjoy the world. Yes, it was a very good vacation.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Overheard in the BDO: Grind, crunch, boom!
The town is replacing the sidewalks in front of our house. It sounds like the dinosaurs have returned and are stomping around raising quite a ruckus.
They’ve been working up and down the street for a few weeks and the fact that they just arrived today at our front door could not have worked out better for the BDO since, as of tomorrow, June 7, “our offices” will be closed for a little over two weeks as I go on vacation. If you want to know more about the trip and follow our little journey, I have set up a travel blog, which I hope to keep up-to-date.
They’ve been working up and down the street for a few weeks and the fact that they just arrived today at our front door could not have worked out better for the BDO since, as of tomorrow, June 7, “our offices” will be closed for a little over two weeks as I go on vacation. If you want to know more about the trip and follow our little journey, I have set up a travel blog, which I hope to keep up-to-date.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
The backs of the leaves are showing
My mom taught me so many things. Most of it was on purpose, but I bet a lot was not even part of her master plan. She has a lot of little sayings that have stuck with me and echo in my mind so often, I think sometimes I don’t even hear them as they pass through.
She always used to say, “If the backs of the leaves are showing, that means it’s going to rain.” I don’t know that we ever discussed it, but I took this as absolute fact and somehow believed it was because the leaves “drank” rain water through their softer, more porous-looking undersides. I think I was well into my twenties before I realized the backs of the leaves show whenever it’s really, really windy, and yes that sometimes precedes a rain fall, but not always.
The backs of the leaves are showing today. And, in fact, we had a sprinkle of rain earlier, and it looks like we might have another. Maybe my childhood suspicions are true: Moms and Dads do know everything.
She always used to say, “If the backs of the leaves are showing, that means it’s going to rain.” I don’t know that we ever discussed it, but I took this as absolute fact and somehow believed it was because the leaves “drank” rain water through their softer, more porous-looking undersides. I think I was well into my twenties before I realized the backs of the leaves show whenever it’s really, really windy, and yes that sometimes precedes a rain fall, but not always.
The backs of the leaves are showing today. And, in fact, we had a sprinkle of rain earlier, and it looks like we might have another. Maybe my childhood suspicions are true: Moms and Dads do know everything.
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